Oh crap what do I do ??? HELP

[littlekatzz]

Ive been watching my friends house and feeding her critters. One of her goats who was bred around the same time as mine gave birth to a pair of twins yesterday. ( I show up once a day and feed and water everbody). There was a boy and a girl. the boy seemed kinda weak. I got worried. Made the call to bring Momma and babies to my house so I could moniter them better. Momma's undder has never seemed overly full. The girl had a full belly and im pretty sure she got colostrum. The boy I think didnt. Im pretty sure she has not filled back up with milk. My neighbor had some fresh goats milk from her doe and we decided to try giving the babies a bottle last nite. The lil boy sucked down a cup. He looked almost instantly, he was walking better and was perkier. The girl turned her nose up at the bottle. As she seemed to have a fuller belly and livelier my neighbor and I figured she was fine from mommas milk. This morning 6 hrs later both seem weak. the lil girl has white stuff coming out of her nose and white floppy poop. I tried giving them both a bottle this morning the boy seemed intrested but wouldnt drink. Im considering bringing the babies in the house and getting them under a heat lamp and bottlefeeding them some bounceback and my neighbors goat milk. But these are not my goats and my friend is out of cell signal for at least another five days. If it was my babies id make bottle babies of them ... but they arnt and its a labor intensive choice. Im pretty green to goats so im not sure if its better to pull the babies or leave them with mom in the hope that they will get better and mom will get more milk in.

 

[littlekatzz]

I have them under a heat lamp in my livingroom. got the boy to drink a oz or so of bounce back, girl wants nothing at all to do with the bottle. in about four hrs im going to put them back out with momma. that way I can see if she gets milk with the babies gone & it will be warmer outside.

 

[alsea1]

Given the circumstances I would do whatever I thought nec. to pull them through.
White poop is very odd. I have never heard of that. I hope some more exp. people post soon.

 

[Pearce Pastures]

1) Put the kids back with mom right away. They need colostrum that they can't get from a goat who has been milking for awhile. It can take days for the udder to fill fully but there is colostrum unless there is some medical issue. The kids will nurse frequently but very short bursts---that is fine.

2) What do you mean they are weak? Are the standing up and moving? If they are just a bit wobbly, give them another day and they will probably be bouncing around as those muscles tone up. BUT you might also think about giving them a kid size does of Nurtridrench.

3) The white stuff---do you have a pic? Is it actually coming out of her nose or is it possible birthing fluids that are dry?
Is the poop formed? Is it a light yellow and just appeared white under the bright light?

 

[jodief100]

What do you mean by seem weak? Little babies, especially when it is hot will lie around a lot but they are fine. Can they stand? If they are wobbly I would suggest some Bo-Se if you can get it. It is Rx. Are they very vocal? I agree with Pierce here, get them back out with momma. What is their temperatures?

 

[littlekatzz]

They are walking around .. a lil wobbly. I dont have a thermometer as mine was lost. the lil girl still has a large amount of very loose white stools. but so far neither is dehydrated. They are back with momma and she is cleaning them. im going to continue to moniter them. they boy was trying to nurse. the girl I think has a upset tummy.

 

[Pearce Pastures]

The white poop has me concerned, especially since she is, what, a day old? I don't know how fast it can come on but some bacterial infections (e. coli) might cause white, mucusy stool. Were the umbilical cords dipped in iodine? What arrangement do you have with your friend for emergency vet care?

 

[sevlep1]

Not sure about goats but in some animals and people . White poop is a sign of no bile (or lack of) in the gallbladder.

 

[elevan]

Not sure about goats but in some animals and people . White poop is a sign of no bile (or lack of) in the gallbladder.

Good point. I'd at least be calling the vet and talking this point over with them.

 

[littlekatzz]

both babies are doing great! sorry I didnt reply sooner been busy ..& to top it off my goat had a trio of boys this morning.