Emergency HELP PLEASE

sadie6447 · #1 09/22/08, 09:34 PM

I had the babies finally wed they were born with really long legs and very skinny. I kept thinkin they were not getting enough milk from their momma and had not seen any bowl movements except one which did not look like colostrum poops. Now I went out and checked them about 30 min ago to find one almost dead. I am feeding him out of a surenge, no body heat, momma's milk seems watery pulled the other one from her and she took the bottle right away and went to town on it. Now I am concerned about the little guy. He seems to be doing better forcing milk down his throat. he is to weak to suck. any suggestions????

Minelson · #2 09/22/08, 10:03 PM

Warm some towels in the dryer and wrap him to keep him warm. I you bottle feeding cows milk from groc store? I hear that is best. Maybe some VIT B will help him also. He has to get warm though...I'm sorry I don't have experience with this...just what I read, hopefully someone else will come on and help.

deetu · #3 09/22/08, 10:21 PM

I've brought back babies by tubing with Mom's milk or cows milk and strong coffee mixture. Then frequent small feedings of milk by tubing after that until he is strong enough to start nursing. Keeping him warm, of course.

It is really important to tube, syringing isn't enough.
Good luck

sadie6447 · #4 09/22/08, 10:32 PM

I have heard you can use cows milk before so can u use 2% or whole. I am using save a kid right now. I do not know how to tube so the syringing is all I have to work with. He is doing better and it has been about an hour and a half. Any guesses on why the mother cannot take care of these twins?

RiverPines · #5 09/23/08, 01:56 AM

Colostrum! They need colostrum.

Try milking mom to get it.

oberhaslikid · #6 09/23/08, 05:33 AM

You need to milk mom and get as much as you can get into them.They usually get up to 3 days worth of colostrum from mom.They need it within 12 hours of being born.
Mom maybe new to this and not sure what to do.
They more you milk the more she will make.

jill.costello · #7 09/23/08, 05:47 AM

A small warm enema may be helpful.

Simple to do; warm water to body temp, and use a bulb syringe to get it into their rear. For a small kid, I'd guess about 20cc max.

In horse foals, we use a drop of soap in the enema, but I won't tell you to do that with a kid, as goat digestive tracts are so different...

Also, I agree with HEAT UP THAT KID! Warm towels is an excellent suggestion, as well as good old fashioned cuddling and warm water bottles.

If you think mom's milk is lousy, TASTE it; it should be sweet and rich tasting.

waygr00vy · #8 09/23/08, 06:42 AM

Take his temp, you want it above 100 before tubing any milk down him. You can put his body in warm water and hold his head up. This will warm him up pretty quickly.

Alice In TX/MO · #9 09/23/08, 06:46 AM

Whole milk from the grocery store. Warmed like a baby bottle.

How's he doing?

sadie6447 · #10 09/23/08, 09:27 AM

They will be a week tomarrow to late for colostrum. I just checked on them yesterday at noon and they were fine. I was last night when I checked again he was pretty stiff and his eyes were grey. I dont think they are getting enough milk from momma. Her bag looks like a first time mothers. I purchased her from the sale barn about a month ago so I have no idea if it is her first or not. SHe had twins and both are still skin and bones. He is doing alot better this morning. He has warmed up can stand now, sucks the syrnge but not bottle. Could their be a problem with mommas milk and if she is a first mother do you think I can put one back with her? The girl is stronger but she took the bottle last night like she was starving also.

Janis Sauncy · #11 09/23/08, 09:31 AM

If it were me, I'd milk the momma and bottle feed the babies.

Janis

sadie6447 · #12 09/23/08, 09:42 AM

They will be a week tomarrow to late for colostrum. I just checked on them yesterday at noon and they were fine. I was last night when I checked again he was pretty stiff and his eyes were grey. I dont think they are getting enough milk from momma. Her bag looks like a first time mothers. I purchased her from the sale barn about a month ago so I have no idea if it is her first or not. SHe had twins and both are still skin and bones. He is doing alot better this morning. He has warmed up can stand now, sucks the syrnge but not bottle. Could their be a problem with mommas milk and if she is a first mother do you think I can put one back with her? The girl is stronger but she took the bottle last night like she was starving also.

Minelson · #13 09/23/08, 09:47 AM

If it were me, I wouldn't take any chances and bottle feed both of them.

deafgoatlady · #14 09/23/08, 10:01 AM

JUST MILK THE MOMMA no matter what. Just collect SMALL amount of the colostrum and GIVE that to the babies. That would be best. Then after that u use whole cows milk and warm it up and feed them.

nubiansinny · #15 09/23/08, 10:10 AM

Keep them on the bottle! How often are you feeding them and how much?
make sure you warm the milk..only use whole milk!! They need the fat.
If the mom is thin and run down she may not have the reserves to feed the kids. Did you worm her after she kidded? if not do it now.
the kids could use some vit-B and bo-se, you can get it from a vet.
The weak little guy, should be feed often a little bit at a time untill he can handle a bottle and suck well.
Are you near anyone with goats experince? I first hand look and help is best!
good luck with them

fishhead · #16 09/23/08, 11:45 AM

It sounds like the doe might not be in good enough condition to make enough milk. Has she been wormed after kidding?

Alice In TX/MO · #17 09/23/08, 03:13 PM

Did you give BoSe injections to the babies when they were born?

sadie6447 · #18 09/24/08, 05:05 PM

The babies are doing fine now. I cant believe how down a baby can get and still bring them around. This little guy was stiff when I picked him up and now has no problem sucking a bottle. Not much sleep they both keep my up pretty often. I have been feeding them save a kid formula, will it hurt their bellies switching to whole milk now?

Janis Sauncy · #19 09/24/08, 05:13 PM

Good job!

As for switching, do it gradually. Add whatever you're switching them to to whatever you've been giving them in a small amount the first day, increasing the amount gradually until they're completely switched over.

I'm wondering if a small amount of probiotics might not be a good idea during the switch over?

Also, have you been milking out the momma? It sounds like she needs some attention, too.

Bottle babies are the best. You'll have two goats that are used to being handled and will love you and come when called and just be overall nice animals.

I know some people don't like them that friendly, but I much prefer it myself.

Janis

**mygoat** · #20 09/24/08, 05:23 PM

If the mother's milk is watery or clear, it sounds to me like her milk never fully came in - could be a dozen reasons for that - or she has mastitis.

Don't forget to milk the momma. If you don't want to dairy, milk her and slowly decrease the milkings - you don't want to damage her udder!