Small Ruminant Neonates

Question 1

What are the typical weight ranges for kids versus lambs?

Answer 1

(Kids 5-8 lbs and lambs 8-10 lbs)

Question 2

How much colostrum should a kid or lamb receive within the first two hours of life?

Answer 2

(20ml/lbs or 0.75 oz/lbs, should then intermittently give 100-125 ml/lbs or 3.5 oz/lbs over the next 24 hours)

Question 3

How much should kids and lambs be fed per day in % of body weight?

Answer 3

(20% of their body weight per day)

Question 4

How many times a day should kids and lambs be fed during the first 3-4 days of life?

Answer 4

(A minimum of 4 times a day, first thing in the morning and last thing at night with at least two feedings between those times)

Question 5

How many times a day should kids and lambs be fed during the first two weeks of life after the initial 3-4 days?

Answer 5

(3 feedings per day)

Question 6

After kids and lambs reach two weeks of age, how many times a day should they be fed?

Answer 6

(Two times a day)

Question 7

How long should kids and lambs be fed 90-100 F milk and what temp should it be once that time period is over?

Answer 7

(Should be fed 90-100 F milk for the first week of life, room temp afterwards)

Question 8

Hypothermia is considered what degree and colder in kids and lambs?

Answer 8

(98 F or colder)

Question 9

What are the clinical signs of floppy kid syndrome and in what time period do they occur after birth?

Answer 9

(Clinical signs are muscle weakness, anorexia, depression, all of which will occur within the first two weeks of life)

Question 10

What would you expect to see on blood work of a kid with floppy kid syndrome?

Answer 10

(Metabolic acidosis with a high anion gap)

Question 11

What is the treatment for floppy kid syndrome?

Answer 11

(Oral baking soda (0.5-1 teaspoon mixed with water) or IV bicarb (125-200 ml of 1.3% bicarbonate solution or 20-25 ml of 8.4% bicarb added to saline))