I just recieved a brand new pygmy ,he is about 5 days old a friend of a friend gave him to me .I just now can force the bottle in his mouth and he'll drink it .I was wondering if the were any hints so that he'll just come suck off the bottle himself.My other BIG problem is that he has not were #2 yet .I'v tried a warm paper towl and even my dog. I have had him for about 32 hrs now. Should I take him to the vet.I feed him about 5 times a day at 3 ounces per serving should I feed him during the night to?

-- tonya tara gibbs (hottieonfire@twinwolf.net), December 27, 2001

Answers

Try covering his eyes. With bottle calves I usually back them into a corner so they cannot get away, hang one arm over his head so that the top of his head is in your armpit. The other eye will be close to your body. Hold the bottle with the opposite hand. When you cover the eyes it seems more like mom. If you have somebody to help, have them rub the goats rearend right up close to the poop hole. This will stimulate bowel movement. He will refuse to eat if he is constipated. A few ccs of mineral oil will loosen him up. I would feed him during the night maybe only one or two feedings at least until he is a week or 10 days old. I raised a few bottle lambs and they were hard to get on the bottle. Hope this helps.

-- Joni (jjdenton@st-tel.net), December 27, 2001.

Vicki will know more about this than I do, but I can think of a few things. He could have a defect of his rectum or intestines. If he was born prematurely, he could have problems, sometimes peristalis(sp?) does not kick in right away with preemies. It could also be that whatever he is eating is making him constipated. What are you feeding him?

-- Rebekah (daniel1@itss.net), December 27, 2001.

He'll eventually learn to suck from the bottle when he gets hungry enough. I have found if you put the nipple of the bottle up against the roof of their mouths it sometimes works better too. Did you make the hole in the nipple big enough ?? Too big?? Maybe he is just nervous and hasn't had enough in his tummy to have a BM. Babies don't even have to go everyday. Just give him time. I'm sure he will "loosen" up around you very shortly. A call to your vet might just give you peace of mind and they could give you some advice too. Good Luck !!!

-- Helena (windyacs@npacc.net), December 28, 2001.