138 Day Premie!

[pookshollow]

One of my Boer does aborted a 138-day fetus this afternoon. I went out to check on her just now, and look for a 2nd one, just in case and found a buck kid, mostly cleaned off, and the doe crying. I thought he was dead at first, but he started yelling when I picked him. I brought them both into the barn but she wants nothing to do with him.

His eyes aren't open, his hooves are soft, but he sure can scream, and he did
drink down a couple of ounces of colostrum. He does try to stand but can't yet.

Is he too young to survive? Is there anything I can do to help his chances?
He's now in the house, in a box with a hot water bottle.

[TSYORK]

I had the same thing happen with a boer doe I had; she gave me twin preemie doelings with soft hooves, etc. Unfortunately we lost them both. Wishing you the best, for a great outcome!

[HappyFarmer]

There is a pill, it goes under the toungue, that helps premies with underdeveloped lungs.
Doplar? Diplum? Gosh I can't remember the name, maybe someone else knows. It's a vet script. I would see if you can get a hold of some, and in the meantime keep him warm, make sure he gets enough colustrum.

HF

[myheaven]

You can tube feed them and give just drops at a time. Their little system is so delicate too much at one time will kill them.

[pookshollow]

I think his lungs are pretty good, judging by the volume. He also has a sucking reflex, as he was eager for the first colostrum I gave him. When he was still in the barn, he was trying to stand and look for his mother, so he seems to have a will to live.

Right now, he's tucked up in a box, on a towel, with a wrapped pop bottle full of hot water, and a fleece blanket over the top (gap for air!). He's sleeping but did have a startle reflex when I touched him.

The earliest kids I've had up to now were 142 days - they were fine from the get-go and their mother raised them.

We'll see if he makes it through the night.

[beccachow]

Awwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww!!!! Come on little guy!!!!!

[deetu]

I had a premie that couldn't stand for two days. She not only lived, but grew to be normal size and had kids of her own. Good luck with him

[desertshi]

AWW!!! I have a now week old 140 day premie. He is doing GREAT! He couldn't walk, had no teeth and had the softer hooves as well. He was extremely chilled when I found him but I fought and fought to save him and he fought as well! Make sure you get him the BoSe and a vit E capsule in the mouth!! Very important IMO. Give him frequent, very small meals of colostrum heated. They can't regulate their temp at that early so make sure you keep him at 102 with the hot waterbottle. The best would be to get a heat lamp on him or put him on a heating pad. Just make sure that you give him many, many mini meals because they can dehydrate easily. Lactated ringer would be a good idea to fight dehydration. Good luck!! It is sooooo worth the fight when one makes it for you. I still grin with happiness when I look at this little premie who is doing amazing....just thinking that I saved his life. Good luck and keep us posted!!

[pookshollow]

Fingers crossed! He just had his third feeding - he was demanding it! He can suck quite hard on my fingers, but we have to go slow with the bottle - a few sips, a rest, a few more sips, another little rest ... I put him back in the box and went to heat up his water bottle. When I came back, he was on his feet, trying to get out of the box!

He seems to be very strong, all things considered.

Of course, I really didn't want a third bottle-baby Boer buckling. (try saying that three times fast) My first Boer kidded with absolutely no milk for the first three days, and not a lot when it did come in, so I've been supplementing them - as have all the other fresh does that will tolerate them!

[myheaven]

it sounds like he will be just fine.

[RoyalValley]

He's a fighter!! Thank goodness he has you for his mommy!

[pookshollow]

Well, we got through the night. I wrapped him in a fleece throw and curled up on the couch with him. He woke up every couple of hours and nursed. I tried to put him back in his box at 6am but he wasn't having it!

He seems very strong and interested in life, so I think he's going to make it.

[nehimama]

Whew! Thanks to your dedication, it sounds like he'll make it. C'mon, little guy!

[pookshollow]

I have a meeting to go to on Tuesday, in Toronto, and I think he'll be coming with me. Should be ok, it's the goat show committee for the Royal Winter Fair!

[Blue Run Farm]

Aww, sounds like he knows you are his mommy now! Glad to hear he is doing so well. I once took a baby goat to Home Depot. He was weak and needed around the clock feedings. Everyone there loved him, lol!

[bknthesdle]

Glad to hear he made it through the night!!! Hope you will post pics of the little guy!

[Backfourty,MI.]

So glad it sounds like he's doing really well! Keep up the good work & don't forget a picture of the little bugger too when you can.

[Minelson]

He really sounds like a fighter! I can't wait to see pictures of him You are doing great !!

[pookshollow]

I'll try and get a picture of him when he wakes up and starts doing his ET impression - he stands up and stretches his head over the side of the box, while pursing his lips. It's hilarious!