how to get baby to take a bottle

[Rodier]

Hi everybody,

I have a new cria that was born almost 4 weeks ago, but still it's very late in the season. The birth was difficult, had to have the vet in and everything. He seemed to do all right but I could see he wasn't putting enough fat on and don't hask me about his weight, when the temperatur gets below zero, the thing doesn't work anymore. In the winter, I have to trust my fingers. Anyway, yesterday morning, I found that little guy all stiff and cold and I brought him inside to get him warm and he came back so well that I could put him back with his mother a coupled of hours later. The vet thinks that the mother might not have enough milk so the cria can't put on enough weigth to fight the cold. We are having exceptionnaly cold weather right now, this morning it has dropped to -22C!
So, the baby is inside but the vet tought it would be a good idea to supplement so he gains more weigth without depleting the mother. My problem is that I can't get him to take the bottle, I would have to force feed him, which is not good! I have a milk supplement for calf, should I try to find somenthing for goat or lamb?
Since the forcast calls for a high of -15C today, I intend to bring the baby to the barn several time to the mother so he can drink but to keep him moslty inside. But I need to supplement! Any idea how I can get baby to take the bottle? Should I give him hay?

Thank you!

[rose@almapark.com]

How old is he? I would blanket the baby and keep him inside with mom. She may be a little stressed, but that is way too cold for a poor doer to be outside.

As for taking a bottle, dip the nipple in caro syrup and see if he will take it (never use honey). If not, I would syringe feed him a little at a time. Make sure you go slow so it goes in his mouth and not down his throat. I use either goat milk replacer or plain old vitamin D organic milk from the store.

Rose

[jeannine]

Two ideas to get your cria to accept the bottle -

1. If you have mom's fleece make a sack with it to hold the bottle. You could put it in one of those net bags for washing delicates or felt it a bit (without soap). This way the bottle smells like mom. You can even shape it to shade the nipple just like the real thing. Hang this in a corner.

2. Use the oral med technique to get the nipple in and then cradle under the cria's chin with your hand, flat fingers come up on one side and thumb on the other side of the mouth so that if the nipple pops out you can give it a little bump back in. Think of it as the bracelet so that you stay very light. The other hand is holding the bottle, but can come around in such a way that your arm becomes the other half of the bracelet behind the head. This works best if you are asking this cria to take responsibility and drink the bottle and you are only the facilitator rather than any forcing.

You must be patient and very efficient in order to not overwhelm the cria. Practice these positions on a stuffed animal before trying on the cria.

For warmth can you line a catch pen or stall in the barn with bales of hay, deep straw on the floor, heat lamps over head so that mom and cria can be together? A heating pad for him to kush upon?

Have the herd help by staying in the barn with mom. If they have enough space, good hay and warm water they will be happy and keep her calm.

I have had success with Wombaroo Alpaca Milk Replacer, which can be ordered from Useful Llama. I also have a recipe from Dr. Cheryl Dewitt:

6 oz. vanilla yogurt (Yoplait seems to be a favorite)
3 Tbs. Karo Syrup
1 C half and half
4 C whole milk

Remember to go in the stall with the attitude of you and I little guy are going to work this out together so that you can respond to him and tailor these ideas to what he is telling you he can do.

Remember to breathe.

Best of luck, Jeannine

[Rodier]

Thank you both for your answer!
Rose, the baby will be 4 weeks old wednesday and has his coat on. I put a heating lamp in the barn and closed everything I could, but still the cold is brutal today, at 13:03, the temp is still only -18C. But I think that having a night where he could get warm through and through as done a world of good to that cria. He is totally different today, he runs and play and is very much alive, while saturday and yesterday, when it was warmer than today, he was dull and always kushing and trying to get warm. So, even if it did stress the mother and baby, seeing the result today, I'm convince that it was the right thing to do and I will get him in the house again tonight. Tomorrow, I'll see, it's supposed to get warmer.
Anyway, for the bottle feeding, I will follow your advice, but instead of the karo syrup (which I take to be corn syrup?) could I used organic molasses? It has been proposed to me in heath stuff shop this morning. Also, they recommended to use natural probiotic instead of yogurt, so as not have the sugar. What do you think?
I was using the oral med technic, but I thought that I was doing something wrong because, since, even hungry, he didn't want to take it. But, from what I'm reading crias never take to the bottle?
Thank you again!

[rose@almapark.com]

Caro is corn syrup - and molasses is definitely better nutrition wise. I give many of my animals a mix of molasses/yogurt/beer when they are off feed. The only thing is molasses is not as tasty as corn syrup - so try it and see how it goes. I have tasted both - lol

Crias do take to the bottle quickly if they are younger. 4 weeks old is a difficult age, but if he is hungry enough and the nipple is tasty - he may just surprise you!!

I know that separation from the herd is stressful, but sometimes it is necessary in extreme cases. If the mom can see other animals - she will be ok and the baby wont stress as long as mom is there. . . .

I am REALLY glad to hear that he is doing better!! Keep up the good work and let us know how it goes.

If you have other questions - please ask.

Good luck - we are pulling for the little guy!

Rose

[Marty McGee Bennett]

Thanks Jeannine for that answer that is SO helpful and complete.
I would also suggest bringing your scale inside so that you can weigh this baby or getting another scale. It is SO important to weigh them to see what is happening and how ever good your fingers are they can't compare to a scale.

[Rodier]

Thank you Rose, I'll try the molasses and let you know!

[Rodier]

Hi Marty, I'm still looking for a scale that can be used below 0C (32F?) And here, it doesn't go above 0 all winter. If anybody know of one, please let me know!

[rose@almapark.com]

You can use a fish scale that is NOT digital . . . the digital ones are tough in the cold. OR if you have a non-digital scale in your house, bring your scale from your house to the barn and weigh the baby. It may be large enough to have the baby cush on it, depending on the size of the baby. This way you wont be breaking the baby's training by picking them up and weighing them.

Fish scales can be found at Useful Llama.

Rose

[Marty McGee Bennett]

you could also take a non digital bathroom scale to the barn and just do your best. You can squat down and just put the baby on your knees maybe... bottom line is sometimes you have to just do the best you can. In this case I would opt for taking the bathroom scale to the barn and picking the baby up right there with his mother close and getting a weight. Sometimes you have to just do the best you can.

[Rodier]

thank you, I will.

[rose@almapark.com]

I do pick up my babies to weigh them and then subtract my weight. I try to only do this when there is an issue. I think this qualifies !!!

I am glad Marty said it first!

Rose