Soft stools in 7-week kid

[makingshift]

Something else that just occurred to me: for the first few days I fed them plain all-stock pellets. Then I bought a bag of Dumor sweet goat feed and switched to that. Maybe I should switch back to the plain pellets.

 

[Southern by choice]

Elevan would be better to answer this but if she is running a fever you may want to keep her in since you have had her in. Do you know how to take a temp? Good job on saving the fecal. Keep it refrigerated.

 

[Southern by choice]

Sudden change in feed can cause scours and rumin upset. Feed should be changed very gradually. Also over feeding pellets can cause issues too. At their age I imagine 1/4 cup would be all they need. How much are they getting?

 

[makingshift]

Aaaaaaah! I should have known not to switch the feed so quickly. They are getting about half a cup a day apiece. At this point should I withhold all grains and just leave them on hay for a day or two? I'm going to go learn how to take her temperature and do that. I have some probiotics on hand so maybe I should try that, too.

 

[Southern by choice]

Yes hay would be best. Withholding feed is smart.
There is a goat vitals page.... I think it is a sticky or on Elevans profile. It is still a good idea to take in the fecal!

 

[makingshift]

Thanks! I'm taking the fecal to the vet now.

 

[OneFineAcre]

Here's my two cents.
Getting a fecal done is always a good idea.
Any dietary change can cause loose stools with some animals. Some but not all.
We dam raise our kids and we often see soft stools for a few days as they start to eat solid food. Even though it is not something we do, it is still a dietary change they make on their own.
When you wean, you sometimes see soft stools for a few days.
I would not with hold feed at this point myself. If I had 7 week old kids that I was weaning I would feed calf starter. But, whatever you do, stick with it and stop making changes.

 

[OneFineAcre]

The only kids we bring in the house, is ones that are born when it is cold. And, that is to make sure they get dry.
They don't need to be in the house. We got in the teens here the other night. All of mine slept in the yard. They didn't even go in the house. Now, if it is cold and windy, they go in the house. Or if it's raining they go in the house. But, mine do not mind the cold.

 

[makingshift]

Update: She had coccidia and stongyles!! They gave me two dewormers (for both goats) and I already treated them. Thank you guys so much for the timely advice today. Southernbychoice, a special thank you for your first response in which you gave me such a STRONG recommendation to get the fecal done. I am more of a wait-and-see person and probably wouldn't have jumped to the vet option so quickly.

Thanks so much to everyone who responded.

 

[Southern by choice]

I am so glad you didn't wait!
You are going to be a great goat owner.
You caught this right away and knew it couldn't be good! Like Elevan and One Fine Acre said.. feed can throw things off a bit too but considering they are young and you just got them it is always better to be safe than sorry!
Always a good idea to call the breeder and let them know too, as a courtesy not an accusation.
What course of treatment did the vet prescribe?