Traveling with bottle baby...

mrstillery09 · #1 02/04/13, 11:33 PM

After much research and looking we should be picking up our bottle babies this weekend!!

The only downside is it'll be about a 4 hour car trip. We have a large dog kennel, bedding and such for them. We'll have all the supplies at home and ready for when we get back. I do have a few questions though...

1. I know this trip will be stressful for them, but are there any ways I can make it less stressful? Is a 4 hour trip too long for them?

2. Will they need a bottle during the drive, or will they be ok till we get home?

3. I've done lots of reading and research but I'm scared I've forgotten something. What are your must have supplies when caring for bottle babies?

I think that's all...for now!

Frosted Mini's · #2 02/05/13, 01:15 AM

1. Bottle babies should have less stress than moving an adult goat that was living at their home their whole lives. You could give them some probios to keep their gut bacteria good.

2. They should not need a bottle during the trip, but I would bring the bottles and milk just in case...you never know what the road conditions/delays/etc. might be. So, just and in case kind of thing.

3. There are so many answers for this...I don't have time right this moment, but others will respond to this.

jcatblum · #3 02/05/13, 01:57 AM

Do you have a way to keep a bottle warm when you travel? I brought a set of day old girls home in a pet carrier with straw, nothing else. They had a bottle as soon as we arrived to pick them up. (wanted to see for myself they were already taking a bottle) DH had to stop at the home improvement store & I opened the back of the van to check on the kids. Multiple people asked "What kind of dog is that?"

mrstillery09 · #4 02/05/13, 12:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jcatblum

Do you have a way to keep a bottle warm when you travel? I brought a set of day old girls home in a pet carrier with straw, nothing else. They had a bottle as soon as we arrived to pick them up. (wanted to see for myself they were already taking a bottle) DH had to stop at the home improvement store & I opened the back of the van to check on the kids. Multiple people asked "What kind of dog is that?"

We don't have a way to keep a bottle warm but I thought worse case we could stop at a truck stop or something and use a microwave to heat water to warm up a bottle. It's so funny people were asking you what type of dog your goats were! People are just not used to seeing goats!

trnubian · #5 02/05/13, 12:41 PM

What I have on hand for bottle kids:
Bo-Se, needles, syringes, bottles and nipples, lamb bar, kaolin pectin, banamine, excenel, probios, dimethox 40%, quest, safe guard, warm draft free shelter, lots of room to run and milk. Lots and lots of milk

Donna1982 · #6 02/05/13, 12:43 PM

I have taken bottle kids on a 8 hour trip before and they did great. Remember we need pictures

prairiedog · #7 02/05/13, 01:19 PM

I warmed up a bottle in Arby's bathroom sink for some once. We like to give a b shot when they get home.

CaliannG · #8 02/05/13, 02:30 PM

Feed them just before you leave for home, using the seller's bottles and nipples. That way, you know how the seller is feeding them.

AND they have a full tummy for the trip home.

Bring bottles and milk for the trip, in case something has you stuck for hours. If you have bottles, nipples, and milk with you, then nothing bad will happen. If, however, you don't, then sure as anything, you'll get stuck in a 3 hour long traffic jam. Therefore, take it as trip insurance.

When they get home, a shot of B-complex and some probios should fix them right up if they suffered any travel trauma.

CarolT · #9 02/06/13, 12:06 PM

I've taken several of my bottle babies in our local home improvement stores. Had a few think a dog but most correct themselves

and they are _always_ a big hit.

Yes, take the milk, in case, and some baggies. Not with goats, but with pups I once had to put milk in a baggie and tuck it against my body to warm it enough to feed them during an emergency. Brrrrrrr! (But it worked)

ETA Congratulations! I'm so jealous!

mekasmom · #10 02/06/13, 12:08 PM

We have traveled all over with bottle babies too, sometimes goat kids, many times puppies. It's not that hard. We just hold them in a blanket in the lap, and carry a diaper bag with some piddle pads (just in case), and extra bottles.

mrstillery09 · #11 02/06/13, 01:03 PM

Thanks for all these responses...it looks like I have everything I need so now it's just waiting. I'm going to take bottles and milk just in case! I can't wait to meet them and share some pictures!!