Brandon stopped in to weigh Valentino today. He’s a 45 pounder! Woohoo.
He’s still around… each day gives him more of a chance.
I visited with my vet, The Good Doctor, who enlightened me about some things about preemie calves. His recommendations were to try some steroids, which help with the development of his GI tract and organs. As a preemie, it is hard for his gut to work efficiently yet. Valentino has a great deal of liquid in his abdomen, which could be some amniotic fluid which will eventually be absorbed by his body. Keeping him safe from any bugs which could attack his gut and bring on scours was another concern. He will have to go back to the barn and pasture fairly soon… my house is getting to smell more like a barn… He can’t get traction on my floor to stand, and dirt would be the best to strengthen his legs. He doesn’t seem to have problems regulating his temperature, so with a bit of supplemental heat he should be fine. While he doesn’t suck or stand, he’s at a big disadvantage, and can’t be put directly back with his mom, and we will try to see how she acts around him. The Good Doctor thought a week would see a marked change in him as he nears his expected arrival date. He also warned me that I can put many days into him and he can still not make it… which I know. I’m also on the hunt for goat’s milk, which, surprisingly, is more easily digested than Valentino’s own mother’s milk.
I’m eager to try the veterinarian’s expertise. Honestly, I didn’t expect Valentino to make it this long, but every time I saw him perk up, I just hoped he would! The past couple of times I’ve checked on him, he’s just laying there contentedly, looking like a healthy calf with legs tucked under him.
I don’t know when we will move him to the calving shed, but I will continue to update everyone on my Valentino!
Find me here!
Great to hear Valentino is still with us. Keep up the good work. I’m Reading The Yorkshire Shepherdess books and she has willed a few preemies (mostly lambs kept warm in the back oven) to survive, much to the surprise of husband Clive. So keep at it. The mental and physical care can work wonders.
We’re all rooting for Valentino! Sounds like he is responding to the TLC pretty well. Fingers crossed…
Your positive attitude is great! I had my share of struggling goat kids in my laundry room for many years before retiring from it all. My rubber shower mat and the mat from outside my front door did double duty on the floor to aid in the little critters’ traction. My local feedstore carried goat replacement mix and once, in a pinch, was able to buy some goat milk both power and liquid form at the grocery store. Thankfully the stores were only 15 miles from me. Sometimes there just wasn’t enough available milk from the other mom’s in the herd. My blessing was that goats drink less than a calf! Best wishes for both you and Valentino.
Weight gain is fabulous! You can do this, Valentino! You too, Carol! ❤️