How to Treat Scours in Baby Kid Goats

In many cases, knowing how to properly treat scours -- loose, watery stool -- in goat kids means the difference between life and death for a sick baby goat. Contrary to what many people think, scours is not a health condition all by itself; rather, it's a symptom of an underlying problem, which in young kids may include overeating, temperature changes, improper management techniques, a bacterial infection and coccidiosis, says Dr. Mary Smith, coauthor of "Goat Medicine." The key to treating scours effectively lies in keeping the goat alive and hydrated while it fights off the cause of the diarrhea. Failure to promptly treat scours in goat kids may result in severe dehydration and death.

Things You'll Need

  • Isolation pen
  • Commercially prepared pack of electrolyte fluid powder
  • Water
  • Light corn syrup
  • Salt
  • Baking soda
  • Bottle and nipple
  • Probiotic paste
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Instructions

    • 1

      Separate the scouring goat kid from the rest of your herd. Transfer the sick kid to a clean, well-bedded pen that keeps the goat from making direct contact with the remainder of your goat herd, just in case the diarrhea is caused by an infectious agent. Minimize potential complications, such as pneumonia, by making sure the isolation pen is located in a clean, dry area that is free of drafts.

    • 2

      Replace milk feedings with electrolyte fluids to rehydrate the sick kid. Use a commercially designed electrolyte solution formulated for goats or create your own by mixing 4 cups of boiled water with 2 tbsp. of light corn syrup, 1/2 tsp. of salt and 1/4 tsp. of baking soda, recommends Gail Damerow, author of "Your Goats." Bottle-feed the scouring kid 1 to 2 cups of the electrolyte fluids every two to four hours, depending upon how severe the diarrhea is.

    • 3

      Administer oral probiotics to help restore the kid's normal stomach bacteria population, which is often decimated by a bout with diarrhea. Follow the dosage directions on the tube of probiotic paste based on your goat kid's age and weight; generally, you'll need to administer 1 to 2 cc's of the paste for a goat kid under the age of 6 months.

    • 4

      Monitor the sick goat's bowel movements while feeding it oral electrolytes over the next 24 to 48 hours. Observe any changes in the color and consistency, which should gradually return to normal, berry-like feces.

    • 5

      Replace the oral electrolytes gradually with milk over the course of a 24- to 48-hour period once the diarrhea has stopped. Alternate electrolyte feedings with small milk feedings to minimize a potential relapse due to sudden dietary changes.