Mother rejected kid

Hi there, just had a doe deliver early today - 2 tiny kids that she just abandoned, didn't even lick them clean.  I found them and got them cleaned warmed up, one has since died - they are so tiny.  But one has survived, but it can't stand and the mother won't let it milk.  So I have been holding the kid to the teat and letting it suck, it's a bit of a wrestling match though!  Any tips on this situation gratefully accepted, also how often to let it suck?  I'm not sure why she delivered early - she also took a number of hours to expel the afterbirth so maybe there's something up there.   Do does like this every accept their baby?

I wonder, do does have an instinct that their baby is going to die?  We had a doe with twins before and one got sick and later died but she completely rejected it when it was weak and wouldn't let it suck at all.

Thanks for any advice.  

Katharine 

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Replies

  • So sorry to hear that. It's really tough to save them when they're that small. You did everything you could. {hugs}

  • Hi Deborah, this advice is so clear and helpful, thank you.  I've made note of it all for next time - sadly won't be needing it for now as she had a rough night and died this morning.....................

  • With her being so tiny, I'm sure she can't take much at one time. Basically, she needs 10% of her bodyweight in 24 hours, so if she's only a pound, that's 1.6 ounces, which is not much. So, you'll need to feed her as often as necessary to get that much into her in 24 hours. If she'll take more, that's great. Ultimately, I like to get them to 8 a.m., 1 p.m., 6 p.m., 11 p.m., then to 8, 12, 4, 8, but I can't see a kid that tiny going 12 hours without anything. Might be a few days before she can go more than 4-5 hours overnight.

  • Thanks Deborah,  that was great to watch, especially to see how you held them for feeding.  I'm trying to work out a feeding schedule, any suggestions?

  • Wow! One pound?! You've got your work cut out for you. The smallest premie we've ever had was 1 pound, 5.5 ounces. Here's a video that shows you what she and her sister looked like:

    http://nigeriandwarfgoats.ning.com/video/pearl-and-hester

    It took the little one several days to be able to hold up her head and stand. Here's the blog post that I wrote about her birth: http://antiquityoaks.blogspot.com/2009/07/premature-kids-and-cluele...

    Good luck!

  • Thanks Deborah.  

    What I've learnt so far:

    -a premie can still yell really loud!

    -she weighs half a kilo/one pound

    -she still can't walk, hold up her neck or open her eyes

    -she's feeding well, strong despite her challenges

    -I need sleep at night even if she doesn't!

    -Your forum is a great encouragement - thank you!

  • The cow milk is the best of the options you have.
  • I only have cows milk powder available, not fresh cows milk - would diluted milk powder be ok?  Or baby milk powder?

  • Sounds about right for colostrum. Lots of people have raised kids on cow milk, so you could use that, but get as much colostrum into the kid as possible first.

    They sell copper in the U.K. Can you order from U.K. websites? Even in the US we have to buy it online.
  • Hi Deborah,  it's her second delivery, last time she had a male with no such problems.  She is producing some liquid but it's quite thick and gross looking, almost like pus.  I'll give the milking a go, thanks for that tip.   I also have very few options for milk substitutes - cows milk powder, or baby milk powder, or honey and water, or molasses and water would be what I can think of.  The kid is small and weak and cannot stand.

    I haven't signed up for your course as I have no idea where to get copper out here (Nigeria)!  So even if there was a deficiency, I'm not sure I could remedy it here.  Interesting thoughts re the hormones, thanks for that info.  

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