Preemie kids-any suggestions?

[buspete]

Our doe kidded last night, about two weeks ahead of schedule. We didn't see the mating, but going by the date we put the buck in with the girls, she could not have been any more than 138 days along.

She birthed twins, with amazing ease (probably because they are small?). They arrived at about 8PM last night. They are unable to stand or walk, thus can't nurse. We gave them colostrum paste, and have been trying to push electrolyte fluids on them.

There was a buckling and a doeling, the buckling died about 2PM today. The doeling is still hanging in there. Mamma in doing her best to care for them, she cleaned them up, cuddled with them, seems to have good instincts. Her bag had formed, but isn't as big as I would think for a Nubian. Is it possible that it hadn't filled up yet? (her first time) We tried to milk out some colostrum, but got nothing.

Anyone have any suggestions on caring for a preemie? We are keeping it warm with a heat lamp.

Thanks!

[TexCountryWoman]

That is really young to be able to save. if it does not have a sucking reflex, it HAS to be tubed. If you do not have a "weak kid stomach tube" then a vet would have to do it, or a expert goat person in your area and it would have to be done asap. i would have the kid in the house if it was mine. You have to get some warm colostrum in it, and fluids or you will lose it.

[buspete]

Thanks for the reply.

She actually is sucking, the buckling wasn't. I'm going to go check on her again, poor little thing.

[buspete]

I brought her in the house.

She's sucking well from a bottle, but tires quickly and falls asleep (coming up on 24 hours old). She tried to stand on those tiny, wobbly legs. I hated to separate her from Momma, but the only way I see her having a chance of survival is to keep her with us and keep the fluids flowing. The reality is that we can't stay out in the goat shed 24/7 and nurse her, but we can check on her frequently here in the house, and will be able to hear her cry when she's awake so we will know to feed her.

It's going to be an uphill battle, but she's a fighter.

On full-term kids, when they are born, does the "nail" part of the hoof go all the way down, like an adult? On this one, there is maybe 3/16"-1/4" of "quick" sticking out past the nail. Is this normal or is it because she is a preemie?

[shereen]

i while back i copied this from another forum.
this should help-
good luck
i hope she makes it.



> While we are on subject of weak kids...Several times now I have had
> kids who were born several weeks prematurely, about 135 days into
> gestation. [yes, tested via DNA with firm breeding dates and no escapes].
> I can keep them going via tube feeding but where I lose ground is when
> their guts stop moving [or never start]. I give them enema to get
> meconium out but after about 48 hours nothing else. No yellow normal
> baby poop ever comes out and kid starts to bloat and finally dies. I
> have made sure to give small amounts of colostrum [1.5-2 oz per
> feeding about 3-4 hours apart] and keep warm in a box with hot water
> bottles to keep body temperature above 98 degrees. I give boSe
> injections in case that is adding to their weakness. some even have a
> suckle reflex at first, though not usually strong enough to get enough
> milk down. I have even added subq lactated ringers solution or
> plasmalyte to supplement so as not to stress the GI tract when
> avoidable. I am one for three over the years in getting these little
> ones to live. the one that lived eventually started pooping. this is
> the only difference I can tell. Breathing wasn't labored until the
> very end. I suspect possibly an infection that affected their GI
> tract and too early to get antibodies from mom as only about 2-3 weeks
> since her vacination....
.................................................. ........................



Getting the digestive tract going is a big problem with preemies... We use
mineral oil dripped into their mouths a couple cc_s at a time every couple
of hours until they are pooping and cleaning out. Also 1/8 cc A&D injectible
given orally just on the first day. It can make them drool for a few minutes
but that is normal. Also, CMPK orally can help in getting them going...
3cc_s again dipped slowly in the mouth or tubed since it tastes yucky. You
have to really watch and make sure they are swallowing as you drip into the
corner of the mouth with a syringe (no needle of course!) With preemies, we
also put about 1/2 to 1 cc white Caro Syrup in their milk every feeding and
sometimes they end up getting mineral oil every day for awhile depending on
how their bowels are working. If the tummy doesn_t empty out between
feedings or they aren_t acting hungry or tummy feels sloshy at feeding time,
they get 2-3 cc_s mineral oil every couple hours until the bowels are moving
again. It can be pretty touch and go for days on a preemie. The earliest
we_ve saved one is 18 days premature.

Some days it seemed like she was getting mineral oil at every feeding!!

We_ve found that the gut is more of a problem than anything on keeping the
little ones going long enough to start doing things normally. They just
aren_t ready to start digesting and eliminating yet!
_________________

[goatkid]

Are you experienced milking goats? If she kidded, you should be able to get at least a little colostrum out of her. If you have a feed store near by, they should have some powdered calf colostrum you can feed her. I have some I got from Caprine Supply that you mix with milk to feed the kids. It's labelled for goats. When goats kid early, they don't have as much milk, initially. My last doe to kid had a preemie and it took her a few days to come into her milk. She's a yearling Nubian and is now producing about 7 cups of milk a day. The baby was about a week early and took a day to be able to stand and didn't walk until a day and a half old. For kids as early as yours, the vets will sometimes give dexamethazone to help develop the lungs. I hope your baby makes it.

[boermommy]

I have had two different births this year with preemie babies. Long story short I one twin die in the womb causing the doe to go into labor. Baby was too weak to stand to nurse.

Went out to the barn at 6am, 11 am, 3pm, 7 pm, and 12 am and held her up so she could nurse. Also gave her doses of Nutri-drench in a syringe 3 times per day for 3-4 days until she got strong enough to do it on her own. Kept her put up with her mother for over a week too. Took her 4-5 days before she could get around on her own.

She is almost 9 months old now and doing well....her name is Miracle but we call her Mickey.

If you are lucky enough to be out there with her a lot for about a week- she should live

[Sweet Goats]

So how is she this morning? Did she make it through the night? I hope so and I wish you all the luck, I will be praying for you.

[Goat Freak]

I am so sorry to hear about your little ones. I will be praying for them to be just fine and healthy. Good luck. Bye.