Buckling Having Trouble Breathing, UPDATE PG 5

[BlackSheepOrganics]

I watched the video and have an odd question. It appears the one side is sunk in but the other is fine. IF that is true, you might want to consider some sort of lung issue might be at play. I've seen that in a baby deer who had a collapsed lung and another who had a deformed lung. I know it is a long shot but the one thing I remember was the wheezing sound they would make when they were heaving so hard trying to breathe.

I hate to mention it as it probably is not the case and might cause you undo worry but I hate not to mention it just in case...

I know it is hard, so please hang in there. He's lucky to have you.

 

[greenfamilyfarms]

Wait... could this be it?

"Meconium (muh-CO-nee-um) is the thick, sticky, tarry appearing fetal stool that is passed in following birth and sometimes for a full day after birth (and sometimes before birth). It is the digested residue of swallowed amniotic fluid, which contains fetal skin and hair cells in abundance. Passage of meconium is facilitated by the ingestion of colostrum. In general, any sort of stress to the fetus in the time shortly before delivery can cause the reflexive passage of meconium. This is of no consequence. If, however, the kid(s) is in great distress, not only will it pass meconium, but it may have deep gasping respiratory movements and pull the meconium down deep into the bronchial tubes of the lungs (meconium aspiration syndrome ). This can cause serious problems of pneumonia and collapsed lungs (pneumothorax)."
http://en.allexperts.com/q/Goats-3480/2009/1/constipation.htm

He has some meconium stick to his fur on his leg, but it could be from the other buckling. Should I try an enemia? His belly doesn't still round and full as if he needs one, but I just wanted to throw that out there.

If it is some sort of lung issue, what do you recommend? Will he be able to get over it on his own or should I take him to a vet?

 

[Roll farms]

I honestly have never dealt with that, so can't offer any opinion.

Is he breathing any easier this morning? If so, then I'd say no. If yes...it very well could be.

I don't think an enema is necessary at this point, I'd just keep him in, keep him fed (at least 6 oz every 6-8 hrs, 3x a day) and keep an eye on his temp. If it goes over 103, I'd probably start him on Pen G.

If he doesn't improve, take him to the vet and ask about the meconium aspiration.

 

[ksalvagno]

We give soapy water enemas all the time to alpaca crias. I use a 60cc syringe and use 5cc of dish soap to 55 cc of water. Then I shoot about 20-30 cc into the cria and wait for meconium to pass. If it doesn't, I give them the rest of it. I'm sure you don't need to give that much to a kid. Alpaca crias are usually around 15-20 pounds. Because we always make sure crias pass their meconium, I always make sure the goat kids pass theirs.

You don't want to quickly plunge in the enema though. Do it slowly.

 

[aggieterpkatie]

Is his momma aggressive at getting the kids up to eat? We've had ewes be too aggressive before, pawing too hard. We lost a lamb to that because the momma actually broke ribs. :/

 

[Roll farms]

Update??

 

[Emmetts Dairy]

Update??

Second that....curious how the little guy is doing!!

 

[Emmetts Dairy]

I too have never dealt with merconium aspiration..so I have nothing to offer there???

 

[greenfamilyfarms]

I left him with a baby sitter today (my sister). She got him to drink about 1/2 of a baby bottle of milk around lunch today. His breathing has not changed, but his suckling reflex has returned. I had to get out of the house today before I went totally crazy, so I went on into work.

I'm at a cross roads. So far I have thought of three options:
1. Try to treat him on my own to the best of my ability and hope for the best.
2. Take him to a vet. My fear is that the cost will be astronomical and that I will spend more than what he is worth. I know that sounds harsh. If that is what we decide to do, I'll probably wether him and keep him as a pet.
3. Find somebody who is willing to bottle feed him and treat him.

Any votes for any of these 3 options? Or any other ideas?

 

[20kidsonhill]

I think you should do what you can live with. I can tell you what we would do, but you have to be the one that has to live with the choice.

Did you feel his mom was properly nursing, with functional teats?

If it was just starvation you should be seeing rapid improvement with just a couple feedings.