New Twins...Help needed

Jyllie63 · #1 05/11/09, 03:10 PM

I have a set of new twin doelings

. They are still very listless and just laying around...it's been 1 hour since they were born. Their eyelids are fused together...does this mean they are preemies? Their hooves seem very soft also. I'm not sure what to do if they are preemies.

Chaty · #2 05/11/09, 03:32 PM

Yep very young and preemies and if they live ...mine didnt ...lots of work...how early were they??/mine didnt make it as they were born 3 weeks too soon...

kreddish · #3 05/11/09, 07:22 PM

Ohhh:baby04: Really hope the little ones make it! How is the mom? Best of luck!

Jyllie63 · #4 05/11/09, 07:38 PM

Here's an update.....I'm still wondering if they are preemies. They are starting to open their eyes a little bit. Their hooves are very soft and white, but I do feel (barely) teeth. They can't be more than 3 or 4lbs at the most. They were born around 3pm and still have not gotten up. They have been very cold so I have them in the house and am slowly getting their temperature up. It started out at 92 and 93 degrees. They are up to 95 and 96. I know they aren't supposed to eat until they get warmer, but I feel like I'm starving them. They are all bundled up with a heater and blankets (heater is on the outside of the carrier) and I blow the hair dryer on them every 20 minutes or so. They do seem to be moving more and they do holler when I get them up to take their temperature. Please jump in here if there is more I should be doing! Thanks!

Jyllie63 · #5 05/11/09, 07:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kreddish

Ohhh:baby04: Really hope the little ones make it! How is the mom? Best of luck!

The mom was very attentive and I felt very guilty removing them from her, but they really needed to come in and get warm. She cleaned them off so I'm hoping she will accept them back if they make it. She still seems to be passing alot more "goop" than I'm used to seeing. I had to assist with the birth a bit so I hope I didn't hurt anything. I really only put a couple of fingers in to align the hooves better so I don't really consider that "going in".

Jyllie63 · #6 05/11/09, 07:55 PM

Not the best pic...but I don't want to disturb them too much...trying to keep them bundled up.
New Twins...Help needed - Goats

copperhead46 · #7 05/11/09, 08:13 PM

awwww, sweet babies, just keep them warm and full of colustrum, good luck with them.
P.J.

Jyllie63 · #8 05/11/09, 08:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by copperhead46

awwww, sweet babies, just keep them warm and full of colustrum, good luck with them.
P.J.

So should I be feeding them even if they are still cold? They are both around 96 degrees right now...but the gray one is rooting around for a nipple...keeps nibbling on sissy's ear.

Starsmom · #9 05/11/09, 08:26 PM

We have preemies that were a week early. They had no teeth, and what little hoof wall they had was more of a gel than a hoof. It was only part way down. After a few days the hoof filled in and hardened. These two only got up to eat, otherwise they laid down under the heat lamp. No running, jumping or playing that you normally see. They literally ate and slept, that's it. After they real due date passed, within a day or two they were acting like new born kids. They are a little over a month and are doing great.

I could be wrong on this, but I'd try to get a little warm colostrum in them. Not a lot, just a little bit. They need all the help they can get. They are cute, I'll be pulling for you.

Jyllie63 · #10 05/11/09, 08:47 PM

I just gave each of them an ounce of colostrum. They acted like they would take more, but I didn't want to overdue it all at once. I thought I would try another ounce in an hour. This is the first time that one of them has even shown interest in eating so hopefully that's a good sign

Jyllie63 · #11 05/11/09, 08:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Starsmom

We have preemies that were a week early. They had no teeth, and what little hoof wall they had was more of a gel than a hoof. It was only part way down. After a few days the hoof filled in and hardened. These two only got up to eat, otherwise they laid down under the heat lamp. No running, jumping or playing that you normally see. They literally ate and slept, that's it. After they real due date passed, within a day or two they were acting like new born kids. They are a little over a month and are doing great.

I could be wrong on this, but I'd try to get a little warm colostrum in them. Not a lot, just a little bit. They need all the help they can get. They are cute, I'll be pulling for you.

This gives me hope! Thanks for posting!

catdance62 · #12 05/11/09, 09:34 PM

oh wow, I've never had preemies before. I hope they make it.

deetu · #13 05/11/09, 11:13 PM

I had one that didn't walk for two days. I would start feeding, that will make them stronger. Maybe you can take them out to Mom for the feedings and bring them back in to keep them warm.

Jyllie63 · #14 05/12/09, 05:09 AM

I got up at 1:30 am to feed them again and they had already died

canadiangirl · #15 05/12/09, 05:33 AM

Oh I'm so sorry. Good for you for trying to keep them going.

Rockytopsis · #16 05/12/09, 05:46 AM

I am sorry, you did your best.

Alice In TX/MO · #17 05/12/09, 06:37 AM

Oh, that's too bad. So sorry.

You did the best you could!

Are you miking the doe, so at least there is a positive outcome with milk?

Jyllie63 · #18 05/12/09, 07:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alice In TX/MO

Oh, that's too bad. So sorry.

You did the best you could!

Are you miking the doe, so at least there is a positive outcome with milk?

The doe is a first freshener so I think I'll wait until next year. I'm already milking a doe who is giving us more than we can use right now.

Thanks everyone...I do feel like I did the best I could for them once they got here. I'm kicking myself though because I DON'T feel like I did the best I could BEFORE they got here. I think I slacked a little on the feed/alfalfa. I just didn't make sure that my pregnant doe's got what they needed. I just fed all of the goats at the same time and maybe this gal didn't get enough of her share. But then I think of my surprise baby back in April and I hadn't even really started pouring on the alfalfa to them yet and this little kid is just thriving. So...who knows...it's just a bad year for us I guess. My "pet cemetary" is getting way too full

. In the past 10 days we have lost stillborn twin goats, a day old kittie, a 2 month old rabbit, and now these little girls. I think I have one more doe due and I'm going to really keep on eye on her. Last year was my first kidding year and everything went 100% good, so I guess is just my "bad" year.

susanne · #19 05/12/09, 07:40 AM

sorry i read too late.
next time, don't wait until the kids are cold. take them in the house keep them warm and feed them right away.
preemies do not do well if they get cold. dry blower is not exactly the best method to keep them warm as this just dehydrates them. submerge in warm water ( in a plastic bag with head out) will bring the temp up in about half an hour. to keep them warm, better put plastic bottles with warm water in the box where they are laying.
they should have had to drink at least every two hours.

there is no reason not to milk the dam. make her use to the milk stand and the routine. you will have it easier next year when she is bigger

sorry for the kids. not all are meant to live.

dosthouhavemilk · #20 05/12/09, 01:07 PM

Jill,
I am so sorry. I wish I could have done more.
Anyone who keeps goats for any length of time and has them kid out is going to run into these issues. There are times it seems like it all happens at once.
You did the best you could for them.
Keep an eye on the dam's udder.