OK, need help. Am I dealing with over eating?

6e · #1 02/19/11, 04:01 PM

Yesterday we had a baby goat die from bloat. We tried everything to save him and we couldn't. This morning not too long after morning feeding (they get bottles of Vitamin D milk) one of the kids noticed another buckling not bloated but staggering around on the back legs like the one we lost. He kept stretching and would fall over. He wasn't bloated though.....yet. I quickly gave him a CD&t shot and gave him Pepto. It was only about 10 minutes after the shot and then he was acting fine. I've been keeping a very close eye on him all day. He came in with the one that died yesterday and a few others that were in a different bunch from the first ones we got and didn't get a CD&T yet. I have never dealt with over eating sickness, but wondering, is that what I'm dealing with? We caught this second one very early in the game and I think that's what saved him unlike the second one that was already bloating by the time we caught him. I have never dealt with anything like this and am a bit worried about whether I'm doing what I'm supposed to be doing. Is there anything else I need to do with him as the day wears on?

nehimama · #2 02/19/11, 04:25 PM

The CD&T shot is different than the C&D ANTITOXIN. CD&T is for prevention, and C&D ANTITOXIN is for emergency. I suggest CD Antitoxin, orally and sub-q.

How old are the kids, what breed/size, and how much are they drinking at one time?

mekasmom · #3 02/19/11, 04:28 PM

I wouldn't feed two bottles, in fact, not more than 8oz at a time. And keep them on probiotics or yogurt along with the milk. If they finish the 8oz and are hungry then give them a little hay/straw on the side to start chewing and learning to eat.

thaiblue12 · #4 02/19/11, 04:48 PM

If their mom's were vaccinated with CD&T a month or so before birth, the kids are protected till about 8 weeks old.

Are they eating anything or getting into grain?
Are you heating the bottle enough?
Is the milk still good or might it be a bit sour?

Just milk and hay should not make them bloat.
I had one kid bloat, I did not heat the bottle enough, I did it to about room temp, she was close to 2 months old so I figured that was good enough. She had been given a CD&T by the breeder. Soon after the bottle she was falling over, kicking out her legs, yelling. So I gave her veg oil and my daughter and I took turns massaging and patting her side, and not gently, after 20 mins she burped, got up peed and pooped and walked away like nothing happened. After that I kept heating her bottles to warm and kept an eye on her. She did not bloat again.

ozark_jewels · #5 02/19/11, 04:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thaiblue12

If their mom's were vaccinated with CD&T a month or so before birth, the kids are protected till about 8 weeks old.

This is true, but just like with adults, vaccination does not prevent ALL the time. Some vaccinated goats will still die.

6e, did you give him the vaccination or the antitoxin? If it was the vaccination, it wouldn't have done any good if he was dealing with over-eating. Stretching does usually indicate a stomach ache...................

As for amounts, my kids get all they want three feedings a day, they are fine.

Could try adding a little active-culture yogurt to his milk. He might be having trouble digesting and that is causing issues. Milk sits in the stomach too long and can lead to entero.

6e · #6 02/19/11, 05:48 PM

I did mix up some probios for him and gave it to him. I don't know if the does were vaccinated or not as I have no background particularly on these goats. Originally I gave all the goats, except the new ones CD&T the vaccine. Today I gave him the C&D. He acts fine now, but making sure I don't need to do it again. I did go ahead and give the rest of them the CD&T vaccine. (hope I'm getting my terms right here.) I am not sure of his age, I'm guess around 5 to 6 weeks old or better. I don't have birth dates on them. They came in a tad later than the other bunch. He is getting fed twice a day, not till stuffed, but until the stomach is just a bit round. They have alfalfa pellets in front of them, but I've yet to see them eat it and yes, the milk is always warm and no it's not sour.

Uhm, I will keep a close eye on that though. Should I keep giving him the probios for the next few days? And should I give it at each feeding or only once per day?