Aboutgoatlady Expertise Specializing in New Goat Owner understanding of goat physiology, goat anatomy, goat care and herd management. *I am not a veterinarian, any advice and information should be verified by your veterinarian before administering to your goats.
Experience 17 years experience of raising goats and herd management. Active hands on experience with goat herd and research with various Caprine University Research and Extension Centers nationwide. 15 years dedicated to helping other goat breeders/owners with goat anatomy, goat disease and goat health care issues via phone, published goat care articles and internet interaction.
Organizations 5 year active member of International Veterinary Information Service
Publications United Caprine News, Homesteaders Magazine, Columnist for Goat Magazine, Owner and Author of GoatPedia™
Education/Credentials Graduate Programs in Medicine, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Stanford University
Expert: goatlady Date: 7/9/2008 Subject: new baby goat
Question Hello, and I recently purchased a set of baby Toggs.
I don't have enough exact information on their age, but the healthy one is May baby, and the previous owner said the other was an April baby. They appear about the same size, but noticeable the May baby is healthy being filled out and bouncy. April baby, was very thin, bony thin, and showed some dry runny poop previously. I have had them two weeks, wormed immediately, as the owner suggested. She was unconcerned it was anything else, but a good worming they needed. I will learn my lesson with this one. Now 2 weeks later, and I have runny watery poop still, but green/brown in color, and her health is bouncy and eats drinks well. I am giving her one bottle a day of 16 ounces of milk replacer, other wise grass, with baking soda free choice. Was hoping her tummy would right itself. I have given her some priobotic paste on a daily basis for the first several days, and drenched with a little yogurt,,,didnt think that would hurt. I don't have a goat vet anywhere close, and would like some safe suggestions. At first her condition was very poor the first day home, almost listless, now she is bouncy and running to me and very lively. Still the runny poop. Squirts a bunch after feeding. I feed slowly with very small nipple, and have wormed twice with 1 1/2 cc Valbazan week apart. Help!
Thanks Deb
The main culprit: Milk replacer, too much at one time and not enough bottles spread through the day is not helping her digestion.
Some people will give oral Biosol Antibacterial liquid (not to be confused with Biomycin injectable antibiotic) to help alleviate the bacteria in the gut. It only takes a half tsp given orally.
The Most important medication to have on hand for ANY baby goat scouring or gut irritation is CD ANTI-toxin (Not to be confused with CD&T Toxoid). CD Anti toxin is given SubQ at the rate of 1cc/5lbs but for small babies I always give at least 2ccs even if they are not 10 pounds in weight.
Use for the prevention and treatment of enterotoxemia caused by Clostridium perfringens types C & D. Provides immediate but temporary protection. Administer SQ or IV - calves and sheep 10 ml; suckling kids and lambs 3 ml. Give 2 ml SQ or orally to baby pigs.
You will need to give her electrolytes via bottle for at least 12 to 24 hours and then add milk to the water half and half for the first bottle, then 1/4 to 3/4 the second bottle until you have her on regular whole cows milk form the grocery store.
If the scouring continues or has a very acrid and strong odor that becomes pudding like you need to consider coccidiosis- which is not controlled by deworming. If the poop has a very strong smell it is more than likely coccidiosis-
To treat coccidiosis, you need a liquid medication called Sulmet or DiMethox, both say they are water treatment BUT do not use it in the water because you have no way to measure how much each goat actually gets- I would give her one of these 2 which ever you can find, they are both about the same. Treating cocci is a 5 day program- The first day dosage is always the large dosage and the following 4 days is half of that dosage- the standard dosage is 6TBSP per 100lbs the first day orally and 3TBSP /100lbs for the next 4 days given orally right from the bottle not diluted. 1TBSP equals 15ccs.
