I have a problem with my baby pygmy goat going # 2 .I have had him for 35 hrs now.He is about 5 days old.He has not went yet.Should I take him to the vet. I need hints!please please

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

Answers

Response to helping a constipated

I almost lost my first bottle fed goat. I called the breeder and said he hasn't pooped yet (he was 4 days old) and she said he may not have eaten enough yet. I told her he was getting 3 oz a feeding and she said he should be getting 8-16 oz (this was also a Boer goat which is a larger sized goat) As I watched him, he was suckling hard, then exhusting himself. He even started losing interest in the bottle. I cut a little larger hole in the bottle and he drank it right down.

Let me ask you. Does he seems weak? At 5 days, he sould be romping around and playing. Did you try putting honey on the nipple? Sometimes that helps them to suck. I tubed the milk right into his stomach when he had gotten too weak to do anything. That saved his life.

Is the breeder able to help? If he is weak and these hints don't help, take him to the vet before it is too late.

-- Dee (gdgtur@goes.com), December 27, 2001.

Response to helping a constipated

You could try an enema. Warm soapy (not detergent) water, in a syringe Just how much is hard to say without knowing the size of the goat, 25cc's? You could use warmed mineral oil too. Try to push the soapy water in without letting it escape and then hold the water in for a few seconds. 30 or so. Then let it run out and repeat. Not that I'd put you off calling the vet and either taking the kid in or double checking what I said. Good luck

-- (amulet@istar.ca), December 27, 2001.

Response to helping a constipated

Sorry forgot to add my name in the last one.

-- Ross (amulet@istar.ca), December 27, 2001.

Response to helping a constipated

Also, what kind of nipple are you using? The black rubber type is stiff at first and probably way too big for a pygmy kid. I like to boil the black rubber nipples, and then cut a bigger hole, the boiling softens it up.

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

Response to helping a constipated

I agree with the enema but also give him about 1 tbsp of molasses or karo syrup. This should get him going.

-- Terry Lipe (elipe@fidnet.com), December 27, 2001.

Tonya, What are you feeding the baby, lamb milk replacer or calf milk replacer or just plain milk??? Are you holding the little baby when you feed it? They are babies and do need to feel loved. Have you called the folks who gave you the kid?? You need to do something RIGHT AWAY or the kid may die. If I had any idea what you are feeding I might be able to help but it is hard to give advice with so little information. Did you know that tickling the kid under the tail helps stimulate nursing? Please let me know what happens. karen

-- Karen in Kansas (kansasgoats@iwon.com), December 28, 2001.