possible causes of early birth

francismilker · #1 01/19/13, 07:13 AM

I checked on the girls yesterday and found that one of my first timers had a bloody backend. After looking around a bit, I found a dead baby that appeared to be fully developed minus the long hair.

Does anyone have any suggestions for what could cause a birth that was 2-3 weeks early?
I know these girls didn't have a buck around them at all for miles and miles so I seen her bred and knew her due date was Feb 5th.

This same thing happened to me 2 years ago with a first timer having triplets. All three were underdeveloped and dead.

wintrrwolf · #2 01/19/13, 08:20 AM

It could be a number of things. What happen to one of mine was trauma from a dog attack she didn't abort right away either was a few days later, she only had a week to go.
What comes to mind with a non traumatic abortion would possible be something she ate. There are actually several plants that can cause this if eaten too much of ...

Alice In TX/MO · #3 01/19/13, 09:23 AM

One of mine lost a kid early when she fell flat on her pregnant belly.

francismilker · #4 01/19/13, 09:26 AM

I know she didn't suffer any animal attack trauma as my LGD was taking good care of the herd. As goats jump around and play on anything that's climbable, she could've taken a fall.

I was just more wondering if there could be some kind of mineral defiency causing this or something. I keep a good loose goat mineral out for them.

Backfourty,MI. · #5 01/19/13, 11:10 AM

If a herd mate butted her real hard in the side that could cause an early labor I think or at least I believe that's what happened a few years ago with 1 of my does', it was the 1st & only time that's happened here & she had healthy full term babies every year after that.

I think there is an infection that can cause abortion too but I don't want you to freak out because I can't even remember the name of it. Mygoat might be on later & she'll know what I'm trying to think of.

yarrow · #6 01/19/13, 11:18 AM

Ameila lost her babies at that stage, the day after the donkey got in with them and chased all the pregnant does around the barnlot.. he didn't touch her, but either the stress of slamming into each other was enough..

susie, mo ozarks

Wingdo · #7 01/19/13, 11:21 AM

I had 3 does due on Jan. 25, 27 and Feb. 2... they were born on Jan. 10, 11, an 12. All are doing fine although I'm a bit embarrassed for missing their due date so badly... I too watch my herd daily and was about 80% sure of their due dates.