Goat Health
8
Floppy Kid Syndrome
You've heard the horror stories. Kidding is going great. There are some late nights, but you have a barn full of healthy kids. Then one morning, it hits! A kid starts wobbling around, then two kids, and finally the entire barn. Within 36 hours, you've lost every single newborn. Floppy Kid Syndrome (FKS) has struck.
The scenario is very dramatic. It may even sound melodramatic, but unfortunately it can be the truth. Veterinary Science does NOT yet know the cause of FKS, and it can spread rapidly through a herd. Some theories are that it is caused by toxin produced by a particular strain of E. coli or that it is caused by over consumption of milk. It seems to hit a farm, go through the entire kid population and then vanishes until the next kidding season.
The good news is that according to Dr. Mary C. Smith from Cornell, it doesn't happen as
often as you hear it does. In fact, she says that FKS is overdiagnosed. So, how do you know when it's FKS? You should consider these items before you even suspect FKS:
Check List #1
Is the kid dehydrated from diarrhea? Dehydration can mimic the symptoms of FKS.
Was the kid born healthy and strong at birth? FKS does not strike until 3-10 days of age. If the kid is born "floppy," you should consider White Muscle Disease.
Did the doe receive adequate nutrition during her pregnancy? Deficiencies of Vitamin E and selenium (White Muscle Disease) can have similar symptoms to FKS.
Check List #2
The kids is weak, reluctant, or unable to stand.
The abdomen is distended, and the legs are cold to the touch.
The kid may cough or drool.
The kid may have a low temperature or fever.
Kids are dying within 24-36 hours of onset of symptoms.
Not every kid will show all of these symptoms, but if you see this pattern on your farm, it's likely that FKS is the culprit. If you do see this pattern, you may want to have a vet check specifically for the FKS. Here are the clinical test results a vet should look for:
metabolic acidosis
chloride is normal
kidney function is normal
no dehydration
increased anion, but not identified
Contributed by Sue Reith
Carmelia Herd
Bainbridge Island, WA 98110-1170