Very tiny 8 week old Pygmy doeling (new pix) worried about her health.

[dianneS]

As far as her weaning goes, I don't even know when she was weaned. The mom sort of rejected her and her twin and her milk was already dried up when I went to see the babies. That's another reason that all of this was difficult to identify. I just thought that she had a rough start and was lacking nourishment. She was fed exclusively grain after weaning and very little of it since she got tossed into the air by the other goats when she would try to eat.

That's true, the antibiotics will really throw off her flora. I will keep up the probios. I'm not sure why two antibiotics either. They prescribed the same thing for my mini horse. We discontinued the penicillin injections early though, they were brutal. We had to give him subcutaneous injections rather than intramuscular because he was so emaciated that he had no muscle.

I forgot to ask the vet how long I should keep her away from the other goats? I'm also considering giving her another dose of wormer sooner than three weeks. I did that with my mini horse. The vet said monthly worming, but I wormed him every two weeks according to the local horse rescue rehabilitation protocol.

 

[helmstead]

You've already exposed your other goats to her, correct? If so, put her with them since they're already exposed and she'll need the company to be happy - but separate her at feeding time.

I've already given you my protocol...which does not include Pen (Pen will not treat cocci) and also does not include removing feed (babies need good, medicated goat feed to grow on). So, refer back...that's what I would do.

 

[Sillystunt]

Quote:

 

[dianneS]

Will do. I'm not all that concerned about the other goats exposure since we have a huge pasture and lots of sun to dry up the poops and she's so tiny, poop doesn't really accumulate since we have way more pasture than we have goats. Its not like she's in an over-crowded muddy, damp pen in the woods anymore! I'll worm my other goats too, to be on the safe-side, its time for a worming soon anyway.

Keeping my fingers crossed! Thanks.

 

[dianneS]

We lost her. She was gone this morning when I went out to the barn.

I'm devastated. I really never thought we'd lose her. She looked so good in spite of her condition. At least I thought so.

I'm scared that the vet gave her too aggressive treatment yesterday and her little body just couldn't take it. I'm regretting taking her to the vet now. I'm so upset I don't know what to do.

I have to call the woman I got her from. I'm supposed to get two little wethers in six weeks, and now I'm scared. They are coming from a different person and healthier conditions.

I'm so upset. My mom was coming to see the little girl today.

 

[helmstead]

I'm sorry you lost her. Please don't blame the vet...this is just the way it goes with chronic cocci babies, even when you get them through a bloom, they usually don't survive past 6 months of age - or if they do survive, they're unthrifty. This is why it's so important to purchase from a breeder that does all the preventative care for their kids.

We all live and learn, and most goat owners have been here before and empathize completely with how you're feeling.

 

[Soccer Mom]

I'm so sorry.

It hurts to lose a little one. Honestly, it sounds like she had a really rough start and was too far gone before you got her.

 

[dianneS]

Wow, the breeder that I got my little girl from emailed last night and told me that the twin brother to my little girl just died yesterday. She claims that these are the first babies that she's ever lost. Then again she says that none of her other customers have ever called or kept in contact with her in regard to how their babies were doing.

She says that the vet is coming out today to vaccinate everyone. I've been sending her links to goat information and proper goat care. She is blaming the mamma goats rejection of the twins for their poor start in life as well as the wet spring and summer affecting her already damp and shady pen. I hope that this woman gets a clue and starts taking better care of her goats! I'm trying to help her and educate her as much as I can. She seems receptive to the advice, or else she's just been playing dumb all along so that she doesn't have to admit guilt in this case.

 

[Redyre Rotties]

I am so sorry you have lost her. (((hugs)))

 

[Goldlaced_Girl]

so sorry you lost her. she was beautiful.

random question; what would you do with two wethers? pets? meat? Sorry, I'm in Show/Dairy goat mode.