baby goat help please

wildheartsranch · 02-06-2008, 01:20 PM

this is going to be long so i am sorry in advance. on saturday i bought two baby goats at the auction. i would say they were about 3days old. one is doing great! the other not so much. saturday when we brought him home he hardly ate. sunday breakfast he hardly ate but by lunch and dinner he ate a whole bottle. i was so happy with him. monday morning and lunch time again he ate like a champ. then monday evening my dog got into their pen and chased them around. she didnt hurt either at all just scared them. so set up a kennel in the kitchen and have had them in here since then. the one that started out doing well still is but the other is back to not wanting to eat. i have been feeding him with a dropper just to get food in him. i even bought a can of goat milk to feed him. what can i do about him? are there any supplements out there i should give him? please help. i hope i covered everything, ask me though if i didnt.

Range · 02-06-2008, 03:42 PM

How long has it been since he had 4 ounces?

I would take him to the vet or a knowledgeable goat neighbor as he likely needs to be tubed some milk. If he's too hungry, his system kind of shuts down and he just gives up.

Stick with one kind of milk and a schedule of amounts - like 4 to 6 ounces every 6 hours for the first week, then 8 to 12 ounces every 8 hours for the second week. I say this because switching milk products and over or under feeding can cause the "runs," which is pretty detrimental at this stage.

Karen Cole · 02-06-2008, 03:45 PM

Have you taken his temp? If so what is it? Also what were you feeding him before the goat milk? Feel the inside of his mouth and tell me is it cold, slimy? Hot? Whats his poop look like?

How long was the dog in the pen with the goats chasing them? Goats stress out easy and kids from a sale barn even more so.

My first thought is pnumonia if thats the case Tribrissen works well for kids as does Nuflor. What breed of goats are they? If you don't know can you put a photo up or describe them?

Karen

wildheartsranch · 02-06-2008, 06:55 PM

he is a nubian. the dog was in there for probable 4min at the most. they started crying and they are right out my back door so i heard it pretty quick. his mouth is cold and wet not really slimy. i am not sure how much i have been giving him but i believe that i have gotten at least 3oz in him every 5hours. those medicinces you mention, should i give him some and how much?

oh forgot, i have been feeding him whole milk

Range · 02-06-2008, 07:37 PM

Whole cow's milk? There are things that need to be added to the whole cow's milk to make it work for goats. I believe that the goat's milk from the store has been pasturized or treated as well. Check this link for what a good recipe. http://www.jackmauldin.com/managemen...g_schedule.htm

If you have to change something in the diet, do it slowly to prevent the squirts and dose with Probios as well.

We need the answers to Karen's questions!

3oz every 5 hours is not enough, truly, not for a Nubian. Did you stick him with antibiotics when you brought him home? Sale barns are terrible for the newly born, he might have a bug.

I don't know the dosage on the meds Karen suggested, you'll have to wait for her. But, if you have some Pen-G on hand, give him 1cc SQ, especially if you'll have to wait until tomorrow to get the other kind. If it's pneumonia, they go down really fast.

Karen Cole · 02-06-2008, 08:28 PM

I really don't know what the combination for making forumula out of cows milk is we either use fresh goat milk or a good goat milk formula...not one for sheep and goats or all species but a forumla specifically for goats. My other thought is that he did not get colostrum so my first suggestion will be get him some colostrix, follow the package directions and feed it for the next 3 days. Chances are if he did not get it he will die but I have heard on occasion you can pull one through.

Tribrissen or SMZ is what I use I have the 960 SMZ which is the same tablet used for horses , cut it in half, melt in in warm water and give it to him daily for 10 days. Iam wracking my brain for the dose of Nuflor I think it's 1cc per 25#s you need to get it from a vet they will tell you for sure BUT it needs to be given daily not every third day which is what they will tell you as well. Goats have a very high metabilism and the meds are out of thier system faster than other animals.

I would also give some Bo-Se NOT Mu-Se! Bo-Se is vet only as well but not very expensive give him 1/2 cc wait 2 days and give another 1/2 cc you can give it orally w/o a problem. Do not give more than twice as they can overdose and die from a selenium overload.

Keep him warm if his mouth is cold he is cold put him on a heating pad or warm up a rice pac in the microwave for him. A cold goat is a dead goat! The local TSC or farm store should have a goat drench as well it will be in a pump bottle Nutra-Drench get the one for goats.

For kids that I know have gotten cold I will also give them about 3cc of molassis (has lots of good vitimins in it) and 3 cc of black coffee (strong cowboy coffee) let it cool off a bit and give it to him. It could also be that he just got stressed and got cold. Babies use alot of sugar to stay warm they cannot regulate body heat very well. The caffine will stimulate him and the sugar will help his body regain control. If you look at him is his inner eyelid "ticking" if so that is a sure sign of sugar issues. In a pinch I've also given plain Karo syrup just let a .cc at a time melt in his mouth.

OK I hope this helps, the Jack Maudlin site is a very good one for goat information check it out.

Good Luck
Karen

Karen Cole · 02-06-2008, 08:30 PM

SORRY I typed faster than I was thinking take the SMZ cut in half then half again so he is getting just 1/4 of the pill not a full half. Most vets will also have weight appropriate doses if you don't want to mess with cutting them.

Karen

wildheartsranch · 02-06-2008, 09:11 PM

Thank you so much for the info!!! i will get what i can in the morning for him and hopefully i can get him through this. its amazing how attached me and my children are to this little guy already.

farmergal · 02-08-2008, 01:51 PM

How's the baby?

wildheartsranch · 02-08-2008, 08:06 PM

hes doing a little better. he will suck on his bottle by himself for about a minute and then we have to help him. we are just taking it a day at a time with him. here is a pic of him just because he is so cute. i would really love some prayers for this guy too if any of you wouldnt mind. thanks for all the advice

here is crusader with my daughter, the little one i have been posting about.

and here is our healthy little boy rider with my son

Tango · 02-08-2008, 08:11 PM

They are so cute, I love your daughters long hair she is beaotiful.

Diana · 02-09-2008, 02:39 AM

Anytime I bottle feed I put a little Karo syrup in the milk, about a tsp in 8 ounces...has to be Karo...don't remember why...has some beneficial effect.

Amrwmblds2 · 02-09-2008, 04:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Diana

Anytime I bottle feed I put a little Karo syrup in the milk, about a tsp in 8 ounces...has to be Karo...don't remember why...has some beneficial effect.

I have heard this is a good fast digestible source of energy for the babies!

farmergal · 02-09-2008, 10:55 AM

They are adorable

and I'm talking about all 4 kids.

I see your little one carrying crusader in the background. Can't see enough to tell if she is holding him correctly. Giving that he is so ill wouldn't it be wise to encourage the little ones to love on them with the babies all four feet on the floor. I'm not trying to be mean just that I'm a worry wort when it comes to newborns.

wildheartsranch · 02-09-2008, 07:23 PM

yes you're right about her holding him and she has indeed been told not too. as a matter of fact with him lately i havent been letting the kids mess with him much at all. i take him out of the kennel feed him etc. hold him awhile and then put him down to potty and he goes too sleep. today was a good day though. he has decided to eat on his own for his meals. he ate 1 1/2 cups during two feedings!!!! i am so excited and happy with him today. now i just pray he continues down this road without any back tracking. i have given him some kyro syrup too and it did seem to help. thanks again everyone. this is such a wonderful site!

farmergal · 02-09-2008, 09:32 PM

I'm glad to hear he has some vigor. Have you started him on solids?

I was also going to ask if you thought of disbudding them but oops it's to late. It has to be done during their first week of life. On a good note they still have time to be withers. (neutered)

Are you familiar at all with goats or are these your first?

Karen Cole · 02-10-2008, 08:15 AM

Cute kids although by the photos I don't think they were 3 days old when you bought them they are awfull young looking.

Farmergal it is possible to disbudd after a week with a good iron and if you've done it before. We like to do Boers the first week but have done them up to a month with no problem. Of course it is easier on all if done early.

Good luck with the babies, we figure we've got about 50-60 more comming......anybody want some baby goats?

Karen

gbarmranch · 02-10-2008, 08:24 AM

If you were closed, I would.. I am trying to talk hubby into two little females as pasture pets..

Adorable - prayers headed your way that he continues to thrive..

wildheartsranch · 02-10-2008, 09:58 AM

they were already tied off when i brought them home. so they are on their way to being wethers. how old do you think they were then?

forgot to add that i have two other goats. i have had them for 3years now but they were 3months when i bought them. these are my first to bottle feed and such. i have free choice hay available to them 24/7. rider, the healthy one, already nibbles on it. crusader just kind of sniffs at at it.

Range · 02-10-2008, 05:22 PM

Really? They were banded? Huh. None of my boys have ever dropped that early.

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02-06-2008, 01:20 PM
wildheartsranch Weanling Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: arizona Posts: 233	baby goat help please this is going to be long so i am sorry in advance. on saturday i bought two baby goats at the auction. i would say they were about 3days old. one is doing great! the other not so much. saturday when we brought him home he hardly ate. sunday breakfast he hardly ate but by lunch and dinner he ate a whole bottle. i was so happy with him. monday morning and lunch time again he ate like a champ. then monday evening my dog got into their pen and chased them around. she didnt hurt either at all just scared them. so set up a kennel in the kitchen and have had them in here since then. the one that started out doing well still is but the other is back to not wanting to eat. i have been feeding him with a dropper just to get food in him. i even bought a can of goat milk to feed him. what can i do about him? are there any supplements out there i should give him? please help. i hope i covered everything, ask me though if i didnt.

02-06-2008, 03:42 PM
Range Kid Safe Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Back of Beyond Posts: 6,739	How long has it been since he had 4 ounces? I would take him to the vet or a knowledgeable goat neighbor as he likely needs to be tubed some milk. If he's too hungry, his system kind of shuts down and he just gives up. Stick with one kind of milk and a schedule of amounts - like 4 to 6 ounces every 6 hours for the first week, then 8 to 12 ounces every 8 hours for the second week. I say this because switching milk products and over or under feeding can cause the "runs," which is pretty detrimental at this stage. __________________ "Be careful what you wish for, because you just might get it all... you just might get it all, and then some you don't want." Chris Daughtery

02-06-2008, 03:45 PM
Karen Cole Started Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Michigan Posts: 2,533	Have you taken his temp? If so what is it? Also what were you feeding him before the goat milk? Feel the inside of his mouth and tell me is it cold, slimy? Hot? Whats his poop look like? How long was the dog in the pen with the goats chasing them? Goats stress out easy and kids from a sale barn even more so. My first thought is pnumonia if thats the case Tribrissen works well for kids as does Nuflor. What breed of goats are they? If you don't know can you put a photo up or describe them? Karen

02-06-2008, 06:55 PM
wildheartsranch Weanling Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: arizona Posts: 233	he is a nubian. the dog was in there for probable 4min at the most. they started crying and they are right out my back door so i heard it pretty quick. his mouth is cold and wet not really slimy. i am not sure how much i have been giving him but i believe that i have gotten at least 3oz in him every 5hours. those medicinces you mention, should i give him some and how much? oh forgot, i have been feeding him whole milk

02-06-2008, 07:37 PM
Range Kid Safe Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Back of Beyond Posts: 6,739	Whole cow's milk? There are things that need to be added to the whole cow's milk to make it work for goats. I believe that the goat's milk from the store has been pasturized or treated as well. Check this link for what a good recipe. http://www.jackmauldin.com/managemen...g_schedule.htm If you have to change something in the diet, do it slowly to prevent the squirts and dose with Probios as well. We need the answers to Karen's questions! 3oz every 5 hours is not enough, truly, not for a Nubian. Did you stick him with antibiotics when you brought him home? Sale barns are terrible for the newly born, he might have a bug. I don't know the dosage on the meds Karen suggested, you'll have to wait for her. But, if you have some Pen-G on hand, give him 1cc SQ, especially if you'll have to wait until tomorrow to get the other kind. If it's pneumonia, they go down really fast. __________________ "Be careful what you wish for, because you just might get it all... you just might get it all, and then some you don't want." Chris Daughtery

02-06-2008, 08:28 PM
Karen Cole Started Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Michigan Posts: 2,533	I really don't know what the combination for making forumula out of cows milk is we either use fresh goat milk or a good goat milk formula...not one for sheep and goats or all species but a forumla specifically for goats. My other thought is that he did not get colostrum so my first suggestion will be get him some colostrix, follow the package directions and feed it for the next 3 days. Chances are if he did not get it he will die but I have heard on occasion you can pull one through. Tribrissen or SMZ is what I use I have the 960 SMZ which is the same tablet used for horses , cut it in half, melt in in warm water and give it to him daily for 10 days. Iam wracking my brain for the dose of Nuflor I think it's 1cc per 25#s you need to get it from a vet they will tell you for sure BUT it needs to be given daily not every third day which is what they will tell you as well. Goats have a very high metabilism and the meds are out of thier system faster than other animals. I would also give some Bo-Se NOT Mu-Se! Bo-Se is vet only as well but not very expensive give him 1/2 cc wait 2 days and give another 1/2 cc you can give it orally w/o a problem. Do not give more than twice as they can overdose and die from a selenium overload. Keep him warm if his mouth is cold he is cold put him on a heating pad or warm up a rice pac in the microwave for him. A cold goat is a dead goat! The local TSC or farm store should have a goat drench as well it will be in a pump bottle Nutra-Drench get the one for goats. For kids that I know have gotten cold I will also give them about 3cc of molassis (has lots of good vitimins in it) and 3 cc of black coffee (strong cowboy coffee) let it cool off a bit and give it to him. It could also be that he just got stressed and got cold. Babies use alot of sugar to stay warm they cannot regulate body heat very well. The caffine will stimulate him and the sugar will help his body regain control. If you look at him is his inner eyelid "ticking" if so that is a sure sign of sugar issues. In a pinch I've also given plain Karo syrup just let a .cc at a time melt in his mouth. OK I hope this helps, the Jack Maudlin site is a very good one for goat information check it out. Good Luck Karen

02-06-2008, 08:30 PM
Karen Cole Started Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Michigan Posts: 2,533	Tribrissen/smz 960 Dose Look!!! SORRY I typed faster than I was thinking take the SMZ cut in half then half again so he is getting just 1/4 of the pill not a full half. Most vets will also have weight appropriate doses if you don't want to mess with cutting them. Karen

02-06-2008, 09:11 PM
wildheartsranch Weanling Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: arizona Posts: 233	Thank you so much for the info!!! i will get what i can in the morning for him and hopefully i can get him through this. its amazing how attached me and my children are to this little guy already.

02-08-2008, 01:51 PM
farmergal Kid Safe Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: New York Posts: 6,063	How's the baby? __________________ Knowlege is out there, you just need to know where to look.

02-08-2008, 08:06 PM
wildheartsranch Weanling Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: arizona Posts: 233	hes doing a little better. he will suck on his bottle by himself for about a minute and then we have to help him. we are just taking it a day at a time with him. here is a pic of him just because he is so cute. i would really love some prayers for this guy too if any of you wouldnt mind. thanks for all the advice here is crusader with my daughter, the little one i have been posting about. and here is our healthy little boy rider with my son

02-08-2008, 08:11 PM
Tango Yearling Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Gordon Ga. Posts: 802	They are so cute, I love your daughters long hair she is beaotiful. __________________ Tango might be short but at least I don't have to duck.

02-09-2008, 02:39 AM
Diana Halter broke Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 89	Anytime I bottle feed I put a little Karo syrup in the milk, about a tsp in 8 ounces...has to be Karo...don't remember why...has some beneficial effect.

02-09-2008, 10:55 AM
farmergal Kid Safe Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: New York Posts: 6,063	They are adorable and I'm talking about all 4 kids. I see your little one carrying crusader in the background. Can't see enough to tell if she is holding him correctly. Giving that he is so ill wouldn't it be wise to encourage the little ones to love on them with the babies all four feet on the floor. I'm not trying to be mean just that I'm a worry wort when it comes to newborns. __________________ Knowlege is out there, you just need to know where to look.

02-09-2008, 07:23 PM
wildheartsranch Weanling Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: arizona Posts: 233	yes you're right about her holding him and she has indeed been told not too. as a matter of fact with him lately i havent been letting the kids mess with him much at all. i take him out of the kennel feed him etc. hold him awhile and then put him down to potty and he goes too sleep. today was a good day though. he has decided to eat on his own for his meals. he ate 1 1/2 cups during two feedings!!!! i am so excited and happy with him today. now i just pray he continues down this road without any back tracking. i have given him some kyro syrup too and it did seem to help. thanks again everyone. this is such a wonderful site!

02-09-2008, 09:32 PM
farmergal Kid Safe Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: New York Posts: 6,063	I'm glad to hear he has some vigor. Have you started him on solids? I was also going to ask if you thought of disbudding them but oops it's to late. It has to be done during their first week of life. On a good note they still have time to be withers. (neutered) Are you familiar at all with goats or are these your first? __________________ Knowlege is out there, you just need to know where to look.

02-10-2008, 08:15 AM
Karen Cole Started Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Michigan Posts: 2,533	Cute kids although by the photos I don't think they were 3 days old when you bought them they are awfull young looking. Farmergal it is possible to disbudd after a week with a good iron and if you've done it before. We like to do Boers the first week but have done them up to a month with no problem. Of course it is easier on all if done early. Good luck with the babies, we figure we've got about 50-60 more comming......anybody want some baby goats? Karen

02-10-2008, 08:24 AM
gbarmranch Pasture Pet Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Mayberry Posts: 32,635	If you were closed, I would.. I am trying to talk hubby into two little females as pasture pets.. Adorable - prayers headed your way that he continues to thrive.. __________________ http://home.earthlink.net/~vpgann Quality Foundation Quarter Horses If you believe what you like in the Gospel, and reject what you don't like, it is not the Gospel you believe, but yourself." Augustine of Hippo

02-10-2008, 09:58 AM
wildheartsranch Weanling Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: arizona Posts: 233	they were already tied off when i brought them home. so they are on their way to being wethers. how old do you think they were then? forgot to add that i have two other goats. i have had them for 3years now but they were 3months when i bought them. these are my first to bottle feed and such. i have free choice hay available to them 24/7. rider, the healthy one, already nibbles on it. crusader just kind of sniffs at at it.

02-10-2008, 05:22 PM
Range Kid Safe Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Back of Beyond Posts: 6,739	Really? They were banded? Huh. None of my boys have ever dropped that early. __________________ "Be careful what you wish for, because you just might get it all... you just might get it all, and then some you don't want." Chris Daughtery