HELP!! Doe in labor w/tight ligaments

Milk n' Honey · #1 01/27/09, 03:48 PM

I have a doe that is in heavy labor right now and she is pushing so hard. All I can see is an ear hanging out. I put a finger in and there isn't room to get much more than that in there. Her ligaments never loosened. They are very tight. We have had some problems here this year with our kiddings and I suspect toxoplasmosis. What is going on? Have you every had a doe go into labor and not dilate properly? I'm most afraid that I won't be able to get these kids out. I can't feel feet or anything. Like I said, I can't get in very far. Also, I thought it was strange that she had her mucous plug hanging out of her yesterday but it was kinda brown and looked like blood was in it. I haven't ever had that in a normal delivery. I am headed back out to check on her. If you can offer advice, I'm happy to listen. Thanks.

Oat Bucket Farm · #2 01/27/09, 04:20 PM

I hope someone who can help comes along soon. Sending hopes of a successful delivery.

Vicki McGaugh TX Nubians · #3 01/27/09, 04:28 PM

It's not toxo, you would have had abortions not labor and kids. An ear is not a good presentation. Call one of the gals on my forum from your state...Sherrie C in Indiana etc.... Bryrpatch Nubians bryrpatch.com

If you have an ear the cervic would have to be dialted, dont' worry bout the thruls being tight, they will loosen, if she is pushing than help with presentation, it's likely nothing more than a foot back, push the head back in.

Call, get off the computer and go deliver those kids. Vicki

DairyGoatSlave · #4 01/27/09, 04:31 PM

i hope everything goes well for you!

hoofinitnorth · #5 01/27/09, 04:39 PM

I agree, sounds like a presentation issue. What you describe as a mucous plug actually sounded like a birth sac to me.

PurpleMartineer · #6 01/27/09, 05:05 PM

I hope everything is going ok! Keep us posted.
Alisa~

Milk n' Honey · #7 01/27/09, 05:30 PM

I called the vet. She could barely get in. She had to give a sedative and then a stronger one. She just wasn't dilated enough. The kid was not full term. Her uterus ruptured and she had to be put down. She was a sweetheart of a girl too. Thanks for your help anyway. The vet also thinks it could be toxo. There have been lots of abortions here this year and had litters of kittens in the barn. I didn't know that was a big no-no. Thanks anyway.

Minelson · #8 01/27/09, 05:34 PM

Oh... so sorry for your loss

wisconsin_917 · #9 01/27/09, 05:37 PM

So sorry, I have been waiting for your post. It sure makes me scared for this will be my first year with baby goats. I found the best thing to so is read read read. The lady I purchased my goats from has had them many years and she said no matter what time it it she will be with me on the phone every minute along the way, if needed Thank goodness.

PurpleMartineer · #10 01/27/09, 05:48 PM

I am so sorry! That is just awful. At least you were able to have the vet there to intervene and to have her put down while under anesthesia. She didn't suffer because of your willingness to do what needed to be done swiftly. Again, I am sorry for your loss -- thanks for sharing the info about the cats/kittens in the barn.

hoofinitnorth · #11 01/27/09, 05:50 PM

Oh I'm so sorry. Is there a definitive test for toxoplasmosis?

billygoatridge · #12 01/27/09, 06:06 PM

Did the vet (Darcy?) take the fetus to have tested. If you've had other problems it might be worth it. Chlamydia will also cause late term abortions or they can be born alive but usually die soon after. The brown discharge before the birth sounds like it could be chlamydia. If that's what it is you could give the rest of the does a round of La200 or generic equivelent which will prevent the abortions if they aren't already too far along. I'm sorry you lost your doe and hope the rest of kidding season goes better.

BethW · #13 01/27/09, 07:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PurpleMartineer

That is just awful. At least you were able to have the vet there to intervene

Ditto. So sorry you lost her.

catdance62 · #14 01/27/09, 07:07 PM

I am sorry to hear about what happened. A very sad thing indeed.

farmmom · #15 01/27/09, 08:46 PM

So sorry!! I agree about the vet taking the little one and testing it, or the doe. It would help you know what you were dealing with and how to prevent this in any other does.

Milk n' Honey · #16 01/27/09, 09:04 PM

The vet told me that she needed the placenta. She told me that she can test it if I get one. Hers was still inside. The vet actually punched through her uterus trying to get the kid out. She had to be heavily sedated for the vet to even get her hand in since she had to force it. The poor girl had been pushing the whole time and was pushing harder when the vet would go in. I'm sure the urge to push was even stronger during that time. I can't blame the vet. She was trying so hard and the doe (Sophie) was going to die if she didn't get help. It was just awful. I tried so hard not to cry in front of the vet but my will is not as strong as my emotions. As far as it possibly being chlamydia....we've been that route. It went through our herd a couple years ago. All the does had a good kidding last year so this year should have been a breeze. We did bring in a new buck this year. You never know about that. I don't feel that it is chlamydia. I would test but since God has been trying to tell me for the past 4 years that I'm not supposed to raise goats, I've decided to sell my goats. I'll just keep a couple for pets or something. I might keep the buck and just keep a couple of does. I do enjoy kidding season but I cannot handle this kind of heartache over and over again. A person has to have the common sense to admit when he/she has been defeated. I'm so there. My husband and I used to raise dogs and we are getting back into that. I am in the process of getting all the health clearances on my dogs and we'll be trying our hand at raising mini Goldendoodles. Dogs are a little easier to figure out....at least for me. I have alot more background where they are concerned. Thanks for all your heartfelt messages. It means a lot. I'm very down in the dumps tonight. She was going to be one of my keepers b/c of how friendly and sweet she was. She should have never had to go through what she went through tonight. Take care all and thanks again.

desertshi · #17 01/27/09, 09:14 PM

I am sooo sorry!! That is the hardest for anyone. It never gets easier with any animal I think. I don't have much experience in the goat world yet...this is going to be my first season too, but I have had horses go down in problem labors and last year I had a sheep who still bore twins in my first ever lambing. So sad for everyone, I feel for you. Keep your spirits up though...as it is a natural process in life. *Hugs*

Minelson · #18 01/27/09, 10:27 PM

It just sounds awful

big hugs to you....

susanne · #19 01/27/09, 10:46 PM

do you suplement with selenium?
how much early did the doe go into labor?
i had exact the same happen to one of my does last year. she went into labor about three or four weeks early, never got dialated completely. i tried for 45 minutes to get the first kid out but could never get the heat past the pelvic. 11:30 pm on a sunday (of course that is a normal time for emergency) i called the vet and she had us ordered to the clinic. vet tried for about ten minutes in the parking lot, in my PT cruiser. after that she said in order to save the doe, she would recommend c-section. she delivered three dead kids, partially starting to decompose. necropsy showed selenium deficiency. i normally supply selenium to my does but somehow missed this one.
the doe recovered very well and was coming into milk like everything was normal.

i'm very sorry you lost the doe. was there a reason your vet did not do a c-section?

goatkid · #20 01/28/09, 01:55 AM

Sorry you lost your doe. I was wondering, too, why your vet did not do a C section. The two times I brought in does with big, stuck bucklings, he did a C section and managed to save both the does and kids.