A local farmer had three kids and one wouldn't feed, did get first from mom, had her here one full day, one bottle of starter and fed off my dog twice for about 2 min. I have no idea about goats but didnt want to see her left to die, Please help soon. Thanks

-- Susan Strait (suelpn30@hotmail.com), January 21, 2002

Answers

Click on the luscent and then scroll down to the dairy goat forum you might get faster help there ~ Patty

-- Patty {NY State} (fodfarms@hotmail.com), January 21, 2002.

Thanks Patty!!

-- (suelpn30@hotmail.com), January 21, 2002.

This little doe is going to die quickly without lots of intervention from you. They have very little reserves at such young age and can't afford to lose blood from intestinal bleeding. go to www.goatworld.com/911 You need to find a suitable goat milk replacer or real goat milk for this little one. Dog's milk is not going to do. Sheep milk replacer is next best thing. Find it at your local feed store. He should have about 16 ounces at least four times a day, warmed. If all you can get is cow's milk, buy the whole milk from the store and mix a teaspoon of karo syrup or sugar per bottle to stop the runs. Bloody stool in such a young animal indicates a serious problem and chances are he won't survive. We lost one after less than two days despite tube feedings and expert vet care. He receive too much internal trauma resulting from being born breach. Take her temperature with a rectal thermometer. Normal for a goat is about 101 to 102. If she is cold, try to warm her gently with a heating pad or heat lamp. Be careful not to overheat her. Pinch the skin on her side. Does it spring back quickly or tend to stay folded? If it does not spring back, (not elastic) this indicates dehydration. She needs electrolytes. Pedialyte from the store works good. Don't give electrolytes and milk at the same time as the electrolytes will prevent the milk from being digested properly. Also, use malox (or any regular antacid) to keep the proper ph balance in the rumen. Give this only at the same time as the electrolytes. If she is not sucking, you will need to administer all these liquids by feeding tube. If you've never done that and don't have the right size tube, you better find a vet or a local small animal farmer to give you a lesson. Baby goats need frequent feeding and when something goes wrong with the digestive system so young, it can be hard to keep them alive long enough to correct the situation.

Are you sure the stool is bloody? The first day or two, the stool is normally vary dark and the consistency of axle grease. After that it will be bright yellow before it becomes normal berries.

Bloody stool could indicate e coli or salmonella. If so, it would probably be fatal if not treated at first sign.

Hope this helps and good luck with the little one.

-- Skip in Western WA (sundaycreek@gnrac.net), January 21, 2002.

Bloody stool could indicate coccidiosis or internal injuries.

-- ~Rogo (rogo2222@hotmail.com), January 22, 2002.

be careful here. Without someone with experience looking at the feces you may be overreacting. It is normal for some streaks of blood to occur in feces of baby when they are born. Although it still makes me take a second look. How much is there? Is it extremely bright fresh blood? or slightly less bright? Don't worry if it is the latter. Too young for any diseases to be apparent like cocci and the like. Merricks is my brand of choice for a milk replacer although it is expensive. You may need to thin it a little more than the instructions say so the little ones don't "gum up" behind. But don't do that until you get the kid going.

-- dave (davekirsh10@yahoo.com), January 22, 2002.

Thank you, It is doing a little better, I have a vet looking at her in the AM, She is standing on her own now and seems to react to me (voice) The blood has gone (i hope) Temp is 101.6 I don't think I could do this again. Very heart breaking. Stools do seem a little thick for her she has some trouble passing. Is there anything here at home to do for her untill the vet gets here. ( My husband is prob. going to go for the "D" word, lol, I love animals and give all of you out there the credit you deserve it seems to be a very hard job) And I am a nurse to boot, I think I got into the wrong profession. Thank you again I hope she makes it , Love her to death already.

-- sue (suelpn30@hotmail.com), January 22, 2002.