Please help with sick kid

MsDawnz · #1 03/04/10, 06:43 PM

My goat kidded on Sat. everything went fine, one doe, mom and kid happy and healthy.
This morning noticed the kid stumbling, I kept a close eye and notice the stumbling worsening. Temp. is 103.2, no coughing, runny nose etc. So I thought weak kid syndrome. I gave baking soda and water twice, brought her into the house, however she is not getting any better.. Does anyone have any suggestions .

Bricheze · #2 03/04/10, 06:58 PM

What do you mean by 'stumbling' does this mean that her legs aren't working right, she doesn't have balance, she is weak and losing the ability to walk, etc?

MsDawnz · #3 03/04/10, 07:08 PM

She is weak and loosing the ability to walk

HappyFarmer · #4 03/04/10, 07:11 PM

What's your temperature there?

On a cooler day 103.5 is considered a high temperature. I'd start her on antibiotics, my first guess she didn't clear her lungs out after birth, possibly pneumonia setting in. Common antibiotics names are LA200, Biomyocin, Pennisillan, do you have any on hand?

Is she eating, peeing, pooping? When the kids sucks, does the milk come out her nose or anything (ruling out parrot mouth & cleft palet) and is her tummy full?

I assume she's nursing off mama but if not did she get her colustrum? Check to make sure mama has milk, and the kid is receiving it.
Maybe mom lay down on her? Is she in any pain?

Stop the baking soda-this young the stomach is very similar to yours & the rumen is not functioning. I'd also stop the water unless she's dehydrated (pull her skin-it should return quickly back in place). Give her some nutridrench or corn syrup for energy, small amount at a time on the tounge.

Are there any other symptoms or influences you can offer to help diagnose? Process of elimination over the internet.
HF

Bricheze · #5 03/04/10, 07:14 PM

Are the joints swelling? Is the kid limping or acting like she is in pain? Did you dip the umbilical chord in iodine?

MsDawnz · #6 03/04/10, 08:44 PM

The temp is 36 here today, the barn doors are closed and she is under a heat lamp.
She is peeing last time at 4:30 ish, pooped once black. I do have LA200 on hand. Her stomach is not sunken in or full I guess normal. She did nurse off mom, nothing came out nose, Mom is in milk - she was milked tonight. She does not seem to be in any pain, I have moved all her legs, head. I did dip her umbilical cord in Iodine. She does not have a runny nose or coughing. Her only sympton is that she is extreemly weak and sleeping. I will give her some corn syrup on her tongue... Thank you soooo much for your help.

Bricheze · #7 03/04/10, 08:49 PM

Is your herd copper or selnium deficient? CAE free?

MsDawnz · #8 03/04/10, 08:53 PM

I give mineral free choice, also a quality grain is fed to the pregnant does. CAe free

Bricheze · #9 03/04/10, 08:57 PM

Where do you live? Often loose minerals alone is not enough.

Bricheze · #10 03/04/10, 08:59 PM

I'm thinking it's weak kid syndrome, but still trying to rule out other possibilities

Be sure to tell us if she gets worse.

MsDawnz · #11 03/04/10, 09:04 PM

I live in Massachusetts.. at she can not hold herself up at this point so she has gotten worse. SHe is sleeping, breathing normally, just checked her temp it is still the same. I have her in the house with me.

Bricheze · #12 03/04/10, 09:05 PM

What breed is she?

Does the mother look completely normal? No faded out fur?

Oh and check the colors of the eye lids. Normal and pink or faded out/white? (of the kid, not the mom)

LomahAcres · #13 03/04/10, 09:11 PM

You mean floppy kid syndrome? I haven't dealt with this personally so not much help, but here a link that might help you:

http://www.goatworld.com/articles/fks/fksrw.shtml

goatkid · #14 03/04/10, 09:19 PM

You treat floppy kid with Pepto Bismal and baking soda. I'd also give the kid 1/3cc BoSe subQ. Be sure she's eating. enough. If her poop is still black, that means she's still passing meconium. She should be having yellowish poop by now.

MsDawnz · #15 03/04/10, 09:25 PM

She is Lamancha, her mom is perfect, fur looks good. My little girls eyelids are pink.
I have given her baking soda and the pepto. I have not seen any poop tonight. I have also given her electrolytes

Bricheze · #16 03/04/10, 09:26 PM

If she is completely down you should give 1cc penn SQ too--for floppy kid syndrome I mean

MsDawnz · #17 03/04/10, 09:54 PM

Thank you for all your help I will keep you posted on her condtion.

Backfourty,MI. · #18 03/05/10, 04:53 AM

Other than floppy kid syndrome I don't have any other guesses either. I'm keeping my fingers crossed for her though. Hope she pull's through for you. If it is FKS keep up the baking soda & pepto for at least 3 days.
Keep us updated please.
Hopefully someone else may have more ideas today to help you.

NickieL · #19 03/05/10, 05:48 AM

Just curious here, what causes floppy kid syndrom? I'm not a goat owner but I've been following along.

Starsmom · #20 03/05/10, 06:29 AM

My vet prescribed 1cc as the appropriate dosage for a newborn lamb and 4cc for adult sheep. The injection should be IM, but SubQ is fine. With newborns it can be a bit more difficult to give IM. Also, if I have a lamb born with a severe selenium deficiency, I give the ewe a dose as well. You should see an improvement in the lamb within a few hours. It could be a slow improvement, but should be improved. Within 24 hours you should see a dramatic improvement. Sometimes a second dose is needed, but don't give more than that without vet approval as selenium can also be toxic if too much given.