Retained afterbirth questions

**mygoat** · #1 03/03/13, 11:46 AM

Paisley kidded 3/1 about 2:00pm with twins, untended and kidded outside, lost the buckling but is taking care of her daughter.

She has not expelled the afterbirth. She still has a nice cord hanging back there, but she's chewed it short.

Gave a shot of oxytocin once she went over 24hrs post kidding and still had it. Gave Biomycin shot too, 6cc. This was yesterday about 4pm-ish that I gave shots.

She is otherwise fine - taking great care of her kid, walking around, eating/drinking.

She got BoSe a month pre-kidding as did all my girls. She got a CMPK drench and has gotten tons of calcium added to her grain since kidding.

Vet reccomended giving 2cc oxytosin every 3 hrs till it moves, yesterday. I gave one shot but then got busy with other kids being born, kid feedings, milkings etc (I do all the work so it's a bit overwhelming). Now, the oxytosin is expired in '07 and even got a little frozen because the propane ran out till Monday (keeping hose from freezing with a heater), but vet said it should be fine (unlike the full 250ml bottle of vaccine that froze solid...)

Vet said that if it doesn't come loose by 3 days, that she will need it 'manually removed' which she said is very painful and difficult on goats - cervix closed, vet hands huge, can cause death anyways...

To be honest, Paisley is on the meat 'cull' list. She has horrid hoof problems I've been battling with rot for months and now her front hooves are growing REALLY wonky, and she has the big wound on her side that she keeps chewing and chewing unless you keep it protected 24/7 by putting a goat coat on her. I took the coat off after kidding and she hasn't reopened the wound, but I bet it's just a matter of time. It's not really a 'wound' anymore, but just a thick callous of skin where no hair has started (or may never) grow back in. It's pink and healthy looking though. She'll get to itching it and reopen it, then it's back to the coat...

What does everybody suggest? I've never had an afterbirth stick around this long.

At this point, I'm thinking to give oxytosin 2 doses 3 hrs apart as per vet instructions. If it's not out by 3 days post kidding, I'll probably put the doe down and make a bottle baby of the daughter.

IndyGardenGal · #2 03/03/13, 11:48 AM

Lute her to open her back up. Oxy isn't going to help if she's closed up.

**mygoat** · #3 03/03/13, 11:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IndyGardenGal

Lute her to open her back up. Oxy isn't going to help if she's closed up.

Lute is extremely hard for me to get. I think I still have a 2ml dose though! Anybody know if it's still good if it freezes? It *may* have frozen too when the propane ran out yesterday, but I don't *think* it did.

What's the timeframe here? Give oxytocin/lute at same time? Give lute first, then oxy?

Called a different vet who may know a *bit* more. It's an 'emergency' line so he's gotta call me back.

yarrow · #4 03/03/13, 12:10 PM

We just give lute (no oxy).. never had one that didn't go ahead and let go (have had them smell bad and be slimy by the time it was gone).. for those I do a go-round of antibiotics.. It's one of the things I've noticed since we began inducing the entire herd, (last 3 or so years)... we hardly ever have retained placentas anymore.. not sure if it's the induction or the change in feed management? ... (wish you were closer.. in cleaning out drawers before kidding, getting supplies together.. I found something like 6 bottles of lute.. several still unopened.. hubby must have been picking it up whenever he went past the vet's (just like I was LOL)... could hang a sign out front *Free cervical openings*

good luck with her
susie, mo ozarks

**mygoat** · #5 03/03/13, 12:36 PM

Wanna mail me a couple?

I treat it as liquid gold when I can get a hold on it. I wanted to induce does to kid and also use it to possibly cycle does in season... but yeah right getting ahold of a bottle around here!

Quote:

Originally Posted by yarrow

We just give lute (no oxy).. never had one that didn't go ahead and let go (have had them smell bad and be slimy by the time it was gone).. for those I do a go-round of antibiotics.. It's one of the things I've noticed since we began inducing the entire herd, (last 3 or so years)... we hardly ever have retained placentas anymore.. not sure if it's the induction or the change in feed management? ... (wish you were closer.. in cleaning out drawers before kidding, getting supplies together.. I found something like 6 bottles of lute.. several still unopened.. hubby must have been picking it up whenever he went past the vet's (just like I was LOL)... could hang a sign out front *Free cervical openings*

good luck with her
susie, mo ozarks

yarrow · #6 03/03/13, 12:48 PM

here.. you can just walk into just about any of the vet's offices and tell them you need some... $20 and out the door you go.. no questions asked

susie, mo ozarks

Crazy Farmgirl · #7 03/03/13, 12:53 PM

I've had good luck with lute and tie a bag of water to the cord for weight to adds gentle pressure to help pull the placenta free. I also run a course of antibiotics, usually la200.

Good luck!!

KrisD · #8 03/03/13, 01:32 PM

Be careful with the pulling of the placenta it can tear the uterus and kill the doe. Use with extreme caution.

Alice In TX/MO · #9 03/03/13, 01:58 PM

Zip lock quart bag of water. Tie to cord. It is gentle traction. .