Help with a Preemie

[nibblygoats]

HI all. My little buckling was born on Thursday at 139 days gestation. I am feeding 1/2 oz mother's milk plus some glucose every 2 hours. He has been hanging on, and showing little bits of improvement. Last night I slept through the alarm and missed a feeding, and now he is weak. I gave double the amount of milk, though half of it didn't get in him. Plus gave extra glucose. He is under the lamp with mom in the garage.
I noticed this morning his little teeth are starting to erupt. I feel like he could make it but he is so weak again now. Does anyone have any advice about taking care of him? I have only had 2 sets of kids before, so I am not that experienced. Thanks for any help.

Monica in Sebastopol, CA

 

[ksalvagno]

Do you have BoSe? Do you have Banamine? Do you have a way to weigh him? What breed is he?

I would suggest a shot of BoSe and Banamine. BoSe give a 1/4 cc if miniature and 1/2 cc if full size goat. Banamine is dosed at 1cc per 100 lbs.

 

[nibblygoats]

Sorry I didn't mention he is a Pygmy kid, weighed 2 lbs 3 oz at birth. Have not weighed him since, but I will do that. He did get BoSe at birth. I have used Banamine for pain and fever in the past. What will it do for him in this situation? The interesting this is that he seems to perk up when I put him at the teat, and he does suck on it a little. I don't think he could actually feed himself this way, though. I need to hold him and support his head.

 

[ksalvagno]

If there is any inflammation or anything, it will help. I have used it on preemie alpaca crias and it just seems to help them a lot.

 

[Roll farms]

I'd also consider a shot of B vitamin. 2cc. In the muscle.

Good luck w/ him.