One of the biggest reasons (other than their delicious milk) that we chose to raise Nigerian Dwarfs is because they are EXCELLENT mothers. They typically have easy births that don't require assistance. We have only had one instance when a first time mom was overwhelmed with twins. She needed us to help dry off her 2nd twin and to supplement feed him for a few days, but she quickly got the hang of it and raised both of her babies beautifully.
BUT I wanted to take the time to discuss what to do if you ever have a lifeless kid and you need to revive it. (This is a kid that is STILL alive, but is NOT moving. We are NOT talking about reviving a kid that is already dead.. that requires CPR along with these tips IF it is not already stiff) We are part of a FANTASTIC backyard Pygmy and Nigerian Dwarf group on Facebook, and the majority of our information comes from their files and the notes we have taken from observing the 911 posts that they have handled. It's important to remember that dwarf breeds require different care than standard goats, especially the kids.
If you ever come across a lifeless kid, it's important to bring it inside immediately, clean it up, and rub it all over like its momma would to stimulate blood flow. Make sure its airways are clear. If you suspect there is fluid in the lungs, hang it upside down by its rear legs and swing gently to drain the fluid. Patting its back and using a nasal bulb are also recommended. Feel the top of the kids tongue, if it's cold, the kid is definitely chilled. Once dry, put the baby in a plastic bag (so it won't get wet) and place it in a hot bath up to its neck - make it as hot as you can stand to put your hand in. Depending on the size of the kid, you can either do this in your sink or your bathtub. Be careful not to get the kid wet because this will only cause it to get more chilled. It's important to get its temperature up to at least 101 degrees (Normal temperatures range from 101.5-103.5 degrees). You will need to check the kid's rectal temperature every 15 minutes - it may take up to an hour to warm completely. Body movements should also increase as it warms up. The water will need to be changed frequently to keep it hot. If the kid's temperature gets down to 95 degrees, mix together honey and cayenne pepper, then rub the mixture on the gums only - making sure it's not enough for the baby to swallow. This should give it a burst of energy.
While you are warming up the kid, if this is a newborn kid, have someone milk its momma for an ounce or so of colostrum. This has essential nutrients (just like breast milk does for a human baby) that is critical for a lifeless baby to bounce back. Once they have the colostrum, stir in a spoon of honey with a pinch of cayenne pepper. **We have observed situations on the Facebook group where the mother goat has died and the owner was trying to revive a lifeless kid - it's STILL important to milk all the milk left in her udders to give to her baby.**
When the baby's temperature has reached 101 degrees, warm towels/blankets in your dryer and wrap them around the baby. Use a hairdryer on its ears and legs to keep warm, or let it rest on a heating pad in front of a space heater. It's important NOT to cuddle the baby (even though your instincts will tell you to). Humans have a lower body temperature, so this will only cool them down again.
Feed the colostrum mixture to the baby ONLY when it's temperature is up to at least 101 degrees. If its temperature is any lower, the milk will sour in the stomach and it will be unable to process any food. The milk must be at 100 degrees. If it needs to be warmed, do so on the stove top - NOT the microwave (which causes it to lose nutrients). Use a syringe or eyedropper and VERY slowly feed 1/2 an ounce, but only if it has a suck reflex. NEVER FEED A BABY GOAT THAT DOESN'T HAVE A SUCK REFLEX. Milk MUST be sucked upward. Without a suck reflex or the correct feeding position, kids can aspirate milk into their lungs. If the baby's temperature is 101 degrees, but still doesn't have a reflex - put a single drop of colostrum at a time in its mouth. The baby will need to be fed every hour to an hour and a half until it regains its strength. It's also recommended to give it a Vitamin B shot (you will need: injectable Vitamin B complex, a syringe, and a 20g needle), but in a pinch, giving Vitamin B orally should also work in most cases. Injections are preferred because they work faster and don't feed coccidia. The dosage for Vitamin B is 1cc/25lbs. 1/4cc is standard for newborns.
You will have to monitor the baby closely for the next 48 hours. Do not take it back outside. It needs to stay in a stable, warm environment. If the kid's temperature hits 90 degrees, it can have lasting effects. It's important to keep a close eye on the baby to keep the temperature maintained. Kids have been known to crash up to a week or so later.
I know this was a less than pleasant to read, BUT it's better to have all the information and never use it, than to need the information and not have it. As I said at the beginning of this post, we have not needed to revive a lifeless baby (knock on wood), and healthy births are MUCH more common, especially with Nigerian Dwarfs.
In the majority of these cases, you will have to bottle feed the baby. Be sure to take a look at our post Goats: How To Bottle Feed.
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