[Shawn]

Trying to be prepared for all the "what-ifs" of kidding, can anyone recommend a goat drench that can be given to the newborn should I need to?

[wytsend]

why would you want to drench a kid !!!!!!!!!!

Never in the 35 odd years I bred goats, have I ever needed to 'drench' a kid.

What makes you think this is necessary..... DO NOT mix up sheep with goats.    A new boprn kid/s is excessively healthy   otherwise I presume you would call a Vet out.   

In answer to your question there are no medications suitable for goats on the market.... call a Vet.

IF YOU HAVE ANY QUERIES  RING ME.....   as a very experienced goatkeeper... or anybody else who is also experienced.

01647 231456......... there are folks on this forum who will testify as to my experience.

[Anke]

Shawn - do you mean to give something to the kid if it is slow in getting up, or has been chilled - like you would give to a lamb born under non-favourable circumstances? If that's your question - the products suitable for lambs can also be used for goat kids as far as I am aware (for example thermovite or similar).

[Shawn]

Obviously using the wrong terminology, yes this is exactly what I mean - if they are slow in getting up, a kind of kick start. Will look into thermovite. Thanks

[wytsend]

Ahh..... if slow due to a bad birth and therefore slow to breath.... again do not drench you will drown it because if breathing is slow there is no sucking reflex.

If kid is cold/chilled.  take it indoors into a minimum temperature of 65F... this is important because the lungs cannot fill with air in cold temperature.

In your kidding preparations get a little bottle of DOPRAM V drops from your Vet... these make the kid take a deep breath  which obviously starts things going.  But you will still need to take it indoors if it has been chilled.
Hypothermic kids rarely do well unless acted upon quickly.... survival of the fittest !!

A chilled kid has little or no sucking reflex  which is always a good indicator of their state of health..... milk colostrum off the dam and bottle feed within 1 hour of birth.... feed up to 300ml of colostrum before 6hrs old,   they cannot use colostrum after this time as the valve to the first stomach closes and the bypass to the fourth stomach becomes operational.

[Roxy]

Probably thinking of the lamb reviver stuff you can get to give lambs that are not breathing at birth, to stir them into life?  The thing to remember is you have to immediately clear the gunk from the kids nose and mouth, there will be a few splutters, which you can expect, but usually it will come good.  A brisk rubbing down and placed in front of mum and all should be well.;

[tizaala]

Never had a problem with kids getting going, just make sure the nose is free of gunk and dry them off with a towel, if you have a heat lamp you will find they will gather under it when it is a bit cool, do the umbilicals with iodine to prevent joint ill, and you wo'nt have any problems.

[Shawn]

Thanks all, really good information.