Baby Goat in Crisis, please help!

[OwenElf]

Hello,
We are a rescue that took in a 4 week old goat a week ago - Owen Elf is the name we gave him.

He was the smallest of three, and was not feeding. But something else was wrong with him clearly. So, here's the long list:

1. Swollen salivary gland
2. Broken jaw
3. Swollen joints that the vet says are infection
4. Severely malnourished

He's been eating and pooping now for a week but has become even restricted in movement. At this point, he can only lift his head. He cannot stand and does not even try.

What are we doing so far?
He drinks goat milk regularly. Poop and pee is great.

He gets a B complex.

He is on an antibiotic for one week today. He's now 5-1/2 weeks old and weight 6.8 lbs.

Please help? I don't know what else to do.

 

[Sparrow]

I can't help your situation, but wondering what is the vet. going to do about the broken jaw?

 

[Ridgetop]

Swollen joints - infection - is probably navel ill or joint ill caused by infection in cord when newborn. Antibiotics may or may not cure this. What about tetanus?

Swollen salivary glands are probably part of or due to broken jaw. What is vet's prognosis on that? Will jaw be deformed to point he will not be able to eat properly?

Malnourishment will improve as he eats. properly. Make sure not to over feed since Clostridium/overeaters disease can occur.

Probably can discontinue Vita B if he is eating well.

Hope he survives. Sounds like he will if he is eating well and pooping.

 

[OwenElf]

Swollen joints - infection - is probably navel ill or joint ill caused by infection in cord when newborn. Antibiotics may or may not cure this. What about tetanus?

Swollen salivary glands are probably part of or due to broken jaw. What is vet's prognosis on that? Will jaw be deformed to point he will not be able to eat properly?

Malnourishment will improve as he eats. properly. Make sure not to over feed since Clostridium/overeaters disease can occur.

Probably can discontinue Vita B if he is eating well.

Hope he survives. Sounds like he will if he is eating well and pooping.

Thank you. He’s 6.4. How much should I be feeding him? He eats about 10 ounces a day but isn’t gaining. He’s six weeks old now.

 

[OwenElf]

I can't help your situation, but wondering what is the vet. going to do about the broken jaw?

He can still take his bottle most days. I syringe feed him when he’s in too much pain.

 

[OwenElf]

Thank you. He’s 6.4. How much should I be feeding him? He eats about 10 ounces a day but isn’t gaining. He’s six weeks old now.

Tetanus? I don’t know? The person who had him is filthy and doesn’t take care of any of his animals. Sadly. How would I know?

 

[OwenElf]

Tetanus? I don’t know? The person who had him is filthy and doesn’t take care of any of his animals. Sadly. How would I know?

Ok he doesn’t have all the symptoms. Doesn’t seem to be tetanus.

 

[Sparrow]

He can still take his bottle most days. I syringe feed him when he’s in too much pain.

But that doesn't heal the jaw. I was curious about what is done when a jaw is broken and found this:

Broken or dislocated jaw: Causes, symptoms, and treatment

Injuries to the jaw may cause a break, fracture, or dislocation. Other causes of dislocation include dental procedures or yawning. Treatment may include surgery. Learn more here.

www.medicalnewstoday.com

As well as other articles. Even though on people, bones heal the same on all mammals. The articles all basically state that a minor fracture will most likely heal on it's own. A more severe break will require surgery with metal plates to keep the jaw in place while it heals. Did the vet. do x-rays on the jaw?

 

[Tngoatlady]

Tetanus? I don’t know? The person who had him is filthy and doesn’t take care of any of his animals. Sadly. How would I know?

I can't help either, but I sure hope he makes it. I know you must be a nervous wreck. We just had a newborn born on Memorial Day and she's doing great. I didn't even think about the navel area. I have pygmy goats that I've had for like 2 years but this is the first time I've experienced a birth and I tell you it was very stressful I was so worried about it, but my granddaughter Savannah is going to be a veterinarian and she came and delivered that baby. It was wonderful, I'll be praying for y'all.

 

[misfitmorgan]

Ok he doesn’t have all the symptoms. Doesn’t seem to be tetanus.

At 6 weeks old he should be eating 24-30oz/day if he is a standard size goat. You should also get him CDT shots if he has not had them yet. It is $10 for the vaccine at any farm store, tractor supply etc.

Sadly some kids just can not be saved. He may pull thru but once they start losing weight it is a hard fight. He may have bottle jaw, which is a lack of copper or anemia due to parasites, ask your vet. If it is low copper he can get a copper bolus, if it is anemia due to parasites he will need to be dewormed. Bottle jaw does not stop a kid from eatting, if just looks bad and will go away after being treated with whichever one mentioned is the problem. You can also try some lamb & kid paste and goat nutri-drench to give him a boost and more calories. There is another supplement you can try called dyne, they make it for dogs and livestock, also high calories.