Kid slow to get up

[StockDogLovr]

I'm asking on behalf of my friend who isn't on this board. Her doe kidded this morning before my friend arrived (doesn't live on site), and she found one very chilled/depressed. Last year I found one of my lambs in the same state, hypoglycemic and hypothermic. I got Karo syrup into him and then tucked him in my jacket, and after awhile he warmed up to where he was moving around, more alert, etc. I took him home and raised him since his mother had absolutely no interest in him.

With this kid, we got molasses and then some colostrum into him. It took a very long time but he finally started perking up and actually sucked more colostrum from a bottle. We also put him to a teat, put it in his mouth, and he suckled some. The doe is suspicious but not actively kicking him away; she has sniffed him and taken a couple of tentative licks, but has much more interest in his sister.

Trouble is, though he can stand when set in place, he hasn't gotten up on his own, and has fallen over head first numerous times. My friend had to leave the farm, and we were worried to leave him for fear he would chill again if he got himself cast up against the wall or something. So, she took him with her to continue bottle feeding and keep him warm. She is going to take him back in a few hours for more nursing efforts with the mom.

Could the problem be white muscle disease, or just very slow to get up and going? The fact that he can actually maintain standing for short periods makes me think it isn't, but then I don't have much experience here! What would be the best way to move forward with him? I'm worried that he will truly end up being a bottle baby if he is kept from the doe too much in the beginning.

[shiandpete.1]

He may have had a rough birth and then got cold, he needs some TLC, maybe a shot of Bo-Se and more colostrum. We had a couple that I had to pull do this same thing. Now they are 5 and 6 weeks old and bouncing every where.

[HappyFarmer]

I wouldn't leave him out there until he's stronger either. Good call taking him out.

We had a small, weak birth in addition to contracted tendons 3 weeks ago. We did pull the doeling & bottle, while working the legs. It was kinda ironic because a friend had a contracted tendon baby just a few weeks prior. Anywho, she's doing well, but it did take her close to a week! to get her strength. She's romping around now and the same size as her sister-would never know she had a problem.

Keep up with the intimate care, but don't be surprised if mama rejects her after a day or two, particularly if she's getting milk other than mama's.

HF

[StockDogLovr]

Thanks, for the help. I believe mom will be able to be milked to keep this baby going rather than replacer used. Where do you get Bo-Se?

[Backfourty,MI.]

I think Bo-Se is Rx only from the vet?
I would use whole milk from the store before using replacer if mom doesn't have enough for the little doeling & buckling. Seems like she should have enough for 2 though.

[HappyFarmer]

Bo-se is a vet script, not to be confused with Mu-se. You can also order it from Vet-Serve USA, though you pay the price.

HF

[StockDogLovr]

One more question: is it unusual for one kid to be normal while the other has WLD, or wouldn't they both be effected if it is a matter of the mom being deficient in selenium?