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FKS - FLOPPY KID SYNDROME By: Robin L. Walters About the Author Website: Bar-None Meat Goats Please Help Rate This Article 5 = Extremely Useful 4 = Very Useful 3 = Somewhat Useful 2 = Okay but not enough 1 = Not At All Useful Rated 4.7 by 332 responses.

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Floppy Kid Syndrome: Affects kids from 3-21 days of age. Some get it younger or older, they can have it twice. Is found in dam raised kids, as well as bottle raised kids. Is caused by clostridial type AE bacteria. Clostridial bacteria, such as Tetanus live in the ground. Is treatable if caught early. Is usually found in late spring kids after the weather warms up. Here in Texas late April & May is FKS season. Symptoms: First symptom is a wobbly or unsteady gate. If you see a kid cross his back legs when he is walking or runs a few steps and stumble he is probably in the early stages of FKS. Kids seem to eat dirt have dirty mouths and faces. Does have strutted udders. You can tell their kid has not nursed well. You can sneak up & catch pasture kids, they don't try to run off. Dam raised kids tend to be hollow, haven't nursed & appear to be weak. Bottle kids tend to show the more prominent full belly the gut shuts down & the milk stays in the stomachs. The kids seem to slosh when shaken. These kids need treated with Pepto or Baking Soda. Kids become lethargic unable to stand & eventually unable to even hold their heads up they become flat unable to control any muscles. Some kids run high fevers others do not. Some kids show signs of respiratory distress some don't. Inexperienced observers may diagnose these kids as having pneumonia. Treatment: If caught early enough (kids that are just starting to stumble) kids can be left on their dams. Treatment needs to be continued for 3 days even if the kids act fine on day 2. Treat daily for 3 days with: 500mg Thiamine 2cc penicillin 2cc B Complex This can be mixed together & given orally. If the kids are flat when you find them give the following in addition to the above treatment: 1cc penicillin SQ Electrolytes or 50% dextrose given orally do not give milk if their gut has shut down - Tube feeding may be necessary. Probiotics mix with electrolytes to start the good bacteria going in the gut. If the kids are out with their dams be careful they don't get out in the sun & try to cook. These kids tend to seek out the sunny spots & dehydrate quickly. If the kid's gut is full and is not functioning a dose of Pepto-Bismol and/or baking soda will help. If the kid is flat: Prop him up on his brisket & hold his head & neck up with a rolled up towel Keep kids hydrated tube feed electrolytes or 50% dextrose. Withhold milk until the kids has been up and moving well for 8 hours. Don't let him get too cold or too hot.

About the author: Katy & I raise a small herd of meat goats outside of Seguin Texas. We try to breed for the show season, mainly show wethers & percentage does. Katy shows extensively in the wether shows & in the ABGA & AMGA shows.

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