Goat appetite first day after delivery

Georgia Girl

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My goat delivered this am and her appetite is less than prior to delivery. I know she needs to eat more for milk production, but what should I expect her appetite to be in the next few days. I tried to give her the molasses water after delivery but she does not like molasses. thanks
 

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My goat delivered this am and her appetite is less than prior to delivery. I know she needs to eat more for milk production, but what should I expect her appetite to be in the next few days. I tried to give her the molasses water after delivery but she does not like molasses. thanks
Do you know for sure that she is done with labor and delivery?

And do you know for sure that she expelled all of the placenta?

Did you give her any supplements prior to or after delivery?

I have a calcium pro-biotic powder I like to give them after they deliver, just to cover all basis and help them switch to lactation.

Is her milk in, and have the kids nursed well?

To be honest... I haven't had that much kidding experience.... but I never noticed an appetite drop. :hu
 

Southern by choice

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Lacking appetite is never good.

Take her temperature. If temp is low and heading downward (think 100 degrees or below) you may be having the start of milk fever - Hypocalcemia. She needs treatment asap.
If running a fever then that is a different ballgame. That means infection.

Since she would not take the molasses water do you have any Nutridrench?
Do you have any Tums on hand?
If Milk fever you need CMPK it is good if you can get it with dextrose.

I say all that if you happen to hve that on hand, but if you are newer and no experience PLEASE call your veterinarian. I cannot stress this enough. As a group (here on the forum) we all want to help one another and yes, many have great experience but building a relationship with your vet is very important and monitoring her health is important.
After kidding the appetite should be rather ravenous. When it isn't that is not good.
Get probiotics in her too!
 

Georgia Girl

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Do you know for sure that she is done with labor and delivery?

And do you know for sure that she expelled all of the placenta?

Did you give her any supplements prior to or after delivery?

I have a calcium pro-biotic powder I like to give them after they deliver, just to cover all basis and help them switch to lactation.

Is her milk in, and have the kids nursed well?

To be honest... I haven't had that much kidding experience.... but I never noticed an appetite drop. :hu
Yes she is through with delivery, and intact placenta was expelled about an hour after last kid was born. I did give her the best feed and periennal peanut hay , as well as supplements, she also had selenium and vit e at right interval and replamin plus about a week before delivery. She is in milk, but her little ones, to me are not nursing enough.
 

Sheepshape

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I hope she's OK.....I'd get the vet if it continues (like Southern says).

Sometimes animals are a bit over-tired for the first day or so after delivery and all they want to do is lie down quietly. They often bounce back the following....hope this is the case.
 

B&B Happy goats

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Nutridrench, red cell, or vitamin B12 orally, you have to get her up and eating...or get a vet, listen to the above posts, these people have years of experience. .they don't tell you to get a vet for no reason....
 

Georgia Girl

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Nutridrench, red cell, or vitamin B12 orally, you have to get her up and eating...or get a vet, listen to the above posts, these people have years of experience. .they don't tell you to get a vet for no reason....
What b12 are you giving orally ? To all her appetite is back up today and she has no high or low temp.
I do have another question, she has milk, but the little ones don't seem to get the milk going and are giving up after 2-3 sucks. They are up and jumping about. what should I do? I did try a bottle with a regular baby nipple but could not get them to suck....should I try to milk her out and try with a goat nipple? If I posted this in wrong place please feel free to post where appropriate. Thanks
 

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I would put the doe in a milking stantion (sp?) get the milk going, then put the kids on the teats. Hold them there if needed to make sure that their bellies get full.

As needed...repeat the above... hopefully by the third round everything will be fine, and no more intervention will be needed.
 
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