Unwell goat kid

4 posts
Sat, 04/11/2015 - 17:36 #1

Member for

9 years 7 months
mickal
Last seen: 03/08/2018 - 21:05
Joined: 04/11/2015 - 17:30

Unwell goat kid

hello all i have inherited a orphaned kid from a farm and he doesnt move to well on his front feet very stiff and unsteady does anybody have any clues to what might help him he is only 3 weeks old and feeds well from his bottle ,thanks in advance michael

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Sun, 04/12/2015 - 12:52 #2
barb
Last seen: 09/17/2019 - 18:07
Joined: 11/23/2011 - 09:38

Hi Michael,

First of all did he get his cholostrum (first milk), which kids need to receive within 12 hours after birth? If he didn't, you may be looking at an immune deficiency and the outcome for this is often, unfortunately, fatal.

 

If the front legs are bent and the ligaments behind the knees are tight as a drum and can't be straightened, then it could be an autosomal recessive genetic condition called Beta Manisidosis. If this is so, He will, unfortunately, eventually die. Other than that, it could be just a vitamin deficiency due to not having mums milk. You may need to check what you are feeding him too. Many goat kids cannot tolerate feeds meant for calves that contain soy products or calf feeds containing tallow, as their digestive systems simply can't cope with them. 

 

If he is not being fed goats milk, then you can either feed him a suitable substitute meant for goats (expensive),  or you could simply put him onto straight cow's milk to which you add 2-3 drops per feed of human infant vitamin drops. I have done this for many years and have never lost a kid.

 

You might give your vet a call so that they can sort out what the problem is, because without actually seeing the goat and examining it in person, I cannot tell you why the little fellow is suffering from this probelm.

 

I hope all goes well for him.

 

Kind regards,


Barb

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Sun, 04/12/2015 - 17:01 #3
mickal
Last seen: 03/08/2018 - 21:05
Joined: 04/11/2015 - 17:30

thanks barb ,he is on half cows milk and half baby formula into which we are now adding three drops of infant vitamans his legs are free moving and today he got up by himself for the first time in  2 days so its looking good at the moment,thanks michael

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Sun, 04/12/2015 - 18:56 #4
barb
Last seen: 09/17/2019 - 18:07
Joined: 11/23/2011 - 09:38

Hi Michael,

if the baby formula contains Soy, I would take him off it and feed straight cows milk with his vitamin drops added. It is so good to see folk who take such good care of their animals.

Hope he keeps on progressing.Great to know that he seems to be coming good.

 

Cheers,

Barb

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