As I posted yesterday, we started seeing a little pink mucous yesterday after Clara had been standing with that "posty" look since the evening before. She had been softly talking to me all day and been very lovey. Shortly after 5:30pm I went out to check (again) and she had a long string of bright reddish pink mucous, but still didn't seem to be having contractions & was not pushing at all.
A few minutes after six I decided to go back out to watch & wait more. The moment I opened the door to head out I heard her call forcefully. I ran to the shed and when I opened the door she stood there looking at me and called out again. Right then a kid fell to the ground! He just popped right out! So it couldn't have been much after 6:10pm.
I got his face cleaned off and he was breathing well, Clara stood there helping to clean him up. Iodine the umbilical cord and warm him up. About 30 minutes passed and I thought "Wow. I really thought with how big she was that there would be another kid!" My daughter came into the pen to help dry off the baby a little more and then I started encouraging the kid (a very boer like buck) to try to get a drink, but Clara wouldn't stand still.
Then, shortly before 7pm she started pushing again and I saw a little foot poke out and back in. She rested for a few moments and pushed again this time I could see a foot and nose, but couldn't see the other foot. I was so nervous and my children were the only ones there to help - as husband had gone to take care of a neighbor's dog. I had a second to think that I might have to go in when she gave another big push and the kid slid out to the shoulders with one leg tight against his side. I pulled gently with the next contraction and he was free to his hips. One more push and he fell right out. I was worried because the umbilical cord snapped very close to his belly when he fell - but it all seems fine now. Again iodine & warm up the kid.
By this time the first kid is nursing well and I give the second kid a good looking over. Also a buck, but more delicate with alpine ears. He is a pretty solid "buckskin dun" color (forgive me, I'm not really sure of the goat name for the color - he has a dorsal stripe, dark ears & feet, & a caramel/blond body). BUT I notice something wrong with his eyes. They seem to have a blueish "membrane" over the bottom half. By now my husband was back and he thought the eyes were just blue, but something didn't seem right. He also had a very hard time finding the teat & I really started to think he might be blind.
I made sure both boys had a full belly and told Clara what a terrific job she'd done then started cleaning up. After a couple of hours of sleep I checked on them at about 2am & noticed that the little dun buck seemed to have weepy eyes - same at 6 this morning. I helped him nurse again and called the vet & took him in at 9 this morning. Turns out he has entropion & the lower lids were turned in and the lashes were scratching the corneas. OUCH! So the vet put in some tiny staples to hold the lids in their correct position and started the little guy on some eye ointment. He said the damage should heal well & sent us on home.
SO... all are resting happily and I am ready for a nap - after I check on the other 4 does we have due this week (one who I though would kid last Friday or Saturday).
Here are some photos from last night:
My daughter helping with the first kid while Clara keeps an eye on things.
The first little buck nursing while the other rests.
In this photo of the little second buckling you may be able to see the blue damage to his cornea I spoke of.
Clara's Delivery 2/28 - day 150 PICS
Paul Bridges - LaCabra Farm; Uvalda, Georgia - USA
