Late night baby goat question... first time mom kidded last night. Buckling was tiny but super vocal and alert shortly after kidding. Mom seemed to be allowing him to nurse a little, but he is tiny and her teats are pretty big but I thought all was fine. This morning again she seemed to be letting him nurse some, but he wasn't super interested when we checked in on them before work. When I got home from work, dam was engorged and kid was asleep. We milked her to relieve the engorgement, and woke him up. We tried to get the baby to nurse but he would not, so we fed him some of her milk in a bottle. She was very attentive of him before and after, so we left them together. We went back out to check 3 hours later and he was asleep in the corner of the stall away from her. When we woke him to check him over and offer another bottle, he seemed different. He is very quiet, and stands very still with closed eyes, and sometimes waves his little head back and forth. Dam was not cleaning his behind, but poop seems typical sticky light brown post-meconium poop. Temp is 101.6. Eyes seem to have some clear discharge. Any advice / help would be appreciated.
Day old kid - need help
- Thread starter rksamon
- Start date
Mini Horses
Herd Master
Was milk you gave him her colostrum? That's critical. So, he's not nursing and must...if his mouth is cold, so is he - and he won't nurse. If it's warm, put bottle to him. You my have to syringe it if he won't suckle. Sounds typical not getting milk, they get weak, cold, sleep. If mouth is cold, warm him up, then feed him.
He's got to have milk or he'll die. That simple. They don't last long if not eating. Give us an update please.
He's got to have milk or he'll die. That simple. They don't last long if not eating. Give us an update please.
- Thread starter
- #3
We got him to take about 2 oz. of a bottle at 12:30 last night, and the same amount at 5:00 this morning. He has pooped and peed, and has had an ounce or so of a bottle in the last 15 minutes. He just doesn't want it, so I don't want to force it all at once. So I am still trying. His eyes are more open and a little less teary this morning, and he is able to stand and slowly walk around a bit. Still not vocal, and when awake, he still waves his head back and forth.
- Thread starter
- #4
Mini Horses
Herd Master
Keep it up.🥰. That's how little ones nurse small amounts, often. Once his little self starts to function, put teat in his mouth and scratch his back, just above his tail, it usually makes them suckle. Once stronger you may be able to get him on mom. These first days are tough on one not interested. Tough on us but, worth it.
You're doing great.
You're doing great.
Last edited:
- Thread starter
- #6
Baby is definitely improving and starting to do much better at taking a bottle. We are milking mom and have been trying to feed him a little bit every 3 -4 hours or so, and the last two bottles he has taken a full 2-3 oz. He is up and moving some - mom is doing a good job nudging and licking and getting him up and about. He has started "talking" back to her a little bit when she fusses over him. Still seems weaker than "normal", but going in the right direction. I will continue to milk and bottle feed him until I am sure he is ok or once I see him able to nurse confidently. My only concern now is that something seems to be off with his eyes - they are open now, but he seems not to see very well and they look a little cloudy. I wonder if that is tied to his behavior last night bobbing his head back and forth (which seems to have stopped). Thank you again!
Mini Horses
Herd Master
You are doing great. 👍 So glad for improvement!
Any chance he was a little premie? Don't know breed dates but, sounds possible from issues going on.... weak, not nursing, eyes, etc. 🤷 Not fully cooked 🤔. Good mom to keep him motivated & encourage him.
Any chance he was a little premie? Don't know breed dates but, sounds possible from issues going on.... weak, not nursing, eyes, etc. 🤷 Not fully cooked 🤔. Good mom to keep him motivated & encourage him.
Finnie
True BYH Addict
- Joined
- May 6, 2017
- Messages
- 975
- Reaction score
- 2,504
- Points
- 293
It’s been a week. How is he doing now?
- Thread starter
- #9
Yes - he could have been a bit preemie - and we weren't watching dates closely enough so I'm not sure. He is doing better on most fronts - eye problems seem to have been pink eye - have cleaned multiple times daily with soap and water and used pink eye treatment from Tractor Supply. He is eating great - taking 8 oz. at a feeding 4 times a day now, and finally filling out. Unfortunately, three days ago, we found his knees swelling and him not able to stand well or walk, and so we went to see the vet - she gave him a dose of BoSe, 3 doses of Thiamin, and 5 days worth of Nuflor and Banamine. We are three days into treatment and he seems to be going in the right direction - up and moving again. Not moving great yet, but way better than he was. We will just keep up with the treatments and stay in contact with the vet as we face this situation. 😕 I feel like it will be something new and different tomorrow, but we'll keep on keeping on.
Mini Horses
Herd Master
He's a fighter -- this too will heal. 👍 you are a very devoted "mom". ☺️. We're waiting for hearing he's running around full of adventure
