Very weak newborn goat, HELP!

[suenrob]

My neighbors goat had triplets last night. One was stillborn, the other 2 are weak. One is drinking milk replacement in a baby bottle, the other won't even try.

I brought the weakest one home with me because the neighbor won't be home to take care of him. I am trying to feed him with an eye dropper. He won't suck at all. I get a little in him, I think. I have him laying on a blanket with a heating pad. Just trying to make him comfortable I guess. He probably isn't going to make it, but I thought it was worth a try to save him.

I have never had goats so any advise from all you goat experts would be much appreciated. Thanks

 

[Chatychick]

If they havent had their colostrum from Mom they will die...the replacer isnt good either they need colostrum for the first 12 to 24 hrs and their temp needs to be at at least 101. to survive and the milk needs to be heats to 102. for them to absorb it into their systems. Sounds like they need a Bo-se shot also as the sucking reflex isnt there. What type of goat is this also? Milk replacer kills more goats than it helps ...been there wont do it again either. Hope you get this 1 going and get some colostrum into it first.

 

[gapeachy]

stick your finger in his mouth if his mouth is cold he will not suck....warm him by a heater or hairdyer....keep trying the bottle....we have some right now that wont take a bottle and we are using syringes....whatever you can get to work...the best will be put him back with his mother and supplement feed him

 

[suenrob]

Thanks chatychick
We did milk the mother goat to get some colostrum. This is what I am trying to give him with a dropper. I have him on a heating pad to keep him warm. I know there isn't much hope but I just have to at least try.

What is a Bo-se shot?

Its a boer goat

 

[BeardedChick]

Ditto colostrum and find someone who can show you how to tube feed that baby right away! A belly full of warm milk + colostrum can work wonders.

There are also youtube videos that show how to tube feed, but you will be a lot better off if you can get someone to help that has done it before. And you will have to find someone that has a tube kit on hand.

 

[suenrob]

Here is a picture of the poor litle guy

 

[gapeachy]

can he stand up? has he stood up? if not he might not make it....we have been thru the same thing we have lost alot of babies this year....could be floppy kid syndrome

 

[lilshadow]

Ditto on the colostrum. Some good advice I was given on here was to feel the inside of his mouth, is it cold. If so his body temp is to low. If you can get him to suckle, and he won't suckle on momma, my vet said to buy goats milk from the store, and heat that up and give to him. You just have to heat it up first. I don't know if this helps because I am not a goat expert. I hope he makes it.

 

[suenrob]

Quote:
Ok, his mouth is cold. I heated him some colostrum and fed some with a dropper. He does not suck and no, he cannot stand

 

[lilshadow]

Do you have a heap lamp? I am only going by first experience which was 2 weeks ago. I made my little Faith stand up, a little bit at a time. I would stand her up, and hold her there, I put heat lamps on her. Some times if momma licks them it gets them going.