Bitter sweet kidding

murkerson · #1 04/03/13, 10:20 PM

So, I posted a few weeks back about trying to find out how far along my doe was. When we rescued her, they told me that they thought she was bred but didn't know for sure or when etc. I could look at her and tell she was and I was scared and nervous because I had no idea when she would kid, whether it was her first time or how old she was. As with all new goats, I wormed her with Valbazen. She tested -CAE and CL. Good to go

Now it was just time to wait...and wait...and wait. Checked her ligs over the last few days and they were soft but still there. Went out last night to feed the bottle baby and all looked fine. All of them came up to me and I checked her ligs again and it felt the same! Now, usually I go out around 9 every morning for feeding. However I didn't today. My DH stayed home sick from work so I waited to go out. Bad decision! At 2 I went out to feed them (i know, i know) and Starla(my doe) was laying down and didn't get up as I neared the pen. Okay, she's in labor! Went in and she looked tired. She was on her side moaning and would move her front feet like she was trying to move. Then I noticed that she couldn't hold her head up. Called a friend of mine from the next town over and asked if she would come over and she said she was on her way. As soon as she got here we called the nearest vet that happens to be 45 minutes away. She advised that she was in labor and to check her. We checked her and didn't feel any kids whatsoever but she had mucus for sure! Starla was going downhill and fast! I read Yarrow's nightmare kidding post a few weeks ago and that's all that I have worried about ever since! AND I was afraid that it was going to happen to me. Then while we were on the phone with the vet, Starla took her last breath

As soon as my friend told her that the vet said to get the kids out! Since we didn't feel any via her vulva, there was only one option. Yep, back yard cesarean. First kid is out, a gorgeous doeling. I ran inside to run a tub of water while my DH rubbed and dried the doeling. Virginia(my friend) went to work to get the other kid out. Another doeling, solid white and beautiful. She had a very light heart beat and we worked so hard on her but apparently we didn't get her out in time because there was no saving her. We kept working on the first one, hoping and praying that everything we tried wasn't in vain. Then it dawned on me that anytime you try to save a life, regardless of the outcome, that it isn't in vain. We milked Starla to get the colostrum and brought the baby in, dried him off good, and got out the syringe. We got some in her and she looked like maybe, just maybe, she would pull through for us. Now it's 11:13 here and she's snoozing with the DH. She is still getting colostrum but seems weak so I rubbed some corn syrup on her gums. Seemed to perk her up for a few minutes but then she wanted to sleep. She still doesn't exactly have the standing up part down pat....but shes working on it. One of her eyes are half way open and the other isn't open at all as far as I can tell. And she twitches! She may turn out to be a special needs kid...either way, she's mine and I am going to do all that I can to make sure that she lives. She's too precious not to! Her name is Miracle Ginny...miracle because she is that indeed and Ginny after my great friend that offered her help. It was her first time checking a doe or cesarean and she did great in my opinion! I hate that I lost my beloved doe Starla and her beautiful doeling but she will live on through Miracle Ginny...hopefully!

murkerson · #2 04/03/13, 10:23 PM

I do believe that she is a preemie! So hard to know without knowing when Starla was actually bred tho

myheaven · #3 04/03/13, 10:27 PM

Oh she is so sweet!!! I will pray for her And you. It's so hard to loose such a close friend. I just went threw it with Becky. I keep looking out to see her. Then I have to remember she's gone.

myheaven · #4 04/03/13, 10:27 PM

Are her teeth threw the skin?

myheaven · #5 04/03/13, 10:29 PM

Little ones need lots of little feelings. Like every hour and a half. I raised my nephue who was a premie

murkerson · #6 04/03/13, 10:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by myheaven

Are her teeth threw the skin?

No. I can feel them under the gums but they haven't came through yet.

bknthesdle · #7 04/04/13, 01:40 AM

I am so sorry for your loss. I pray Miracle Ginny makes it. She looks so very sweet.

murkerson · #8 04/04/13, 04:09 AM

Oh she is! Wondering how long before her eyes open all the way and her teeth break the gums.....

Backfourty,MI. · #9 04/04/13, 05:56 AM

I've never had a preemie before so have no advice. I was going to suggest a Bo-Se shot to help her but not sure if you should give that to a preemie so maybe Yarrow will see your thread & comment on that. If nothing else squirt the liquid from 2 Vitamin E capsules in her mouth. That may help with muscle tone in her legs, etc.

Call your vet & ask if there is a RX shot you can give her to help her, lungs etc.

Make sure & keep her really warm, babies this young can't regulate their body temp's.
Keeping my fingers crossed your your little miracle.

mahnah · #10 04/04/13, 06:24 AM

no knowledge here but sending lots of energies to lil Ginny

nehimama · #11 04/04/13, 06:30 AM

I'm so sorry for your losses and your heartache. I hope all goes well with the little miracle.

mamahen · #12 04/04/13, 06:48 AM

She does look like a preemie. Be sure to keep her warm. How is her breathing? She may need a shot of dex. Tiny amounts every 30-45 min should keep her blood sugar stable.

Suzyq2u · #13 04/04/13, 06:59 AM

Sorry about your doe - hope little miracle continues to get stronger

Minelson · #14 04/04/13, 07:42 AM

Wow...what a story! I'm so sorry you lost Starla

(((hugs)))
Sending lots of prayers that Ginny makes it. Please keep us posted!

Sherry in Iowa · #15 04/04/13, 08:27 AM

I'm sure sorry about your doe. I pray that your little one makes it.

yarrow · #16 04/04/13, 11:25 AM

I'm so sorry that you lost Starla.. but so HAPPY.. you were able to act quickly enough to save this little girl.. (it's hard, I know).. She does look like she's a bit premie.. The main thing with the premie babies is warmth.. put her in a coat (so she doesn't have to use any calories trying to maintain her body temp).. I put them in a coat, in a tote.. on a towel covered heating pad.. turned to low.. I also drape a towel/blanket over the top so no drafts get them.. I also use Ringers (give SubQ at a dose of 30cc's at at time.. just between the shoulder blades.. causing what we call a *buffalo* hump.. when the hump disappears.. I give more ringers.. (I should say WARMED ringers).. I pull it up into the syringe and run it under hot water until I get it up to body temp.. then give it.. I also use a SMALL 22g needle.. the Ringers will help with her blood sugar.. but she is going to need to eat every couple of hours.. IS she SUCKING or are you trying to syringe it into her? If she can't suck well enough to take at least 2 ounces at a time.. it would be easier on her physically (and safer) to tube her... I use the weak kid syringes from Jeffers (each tube full is 2 ounces).. she needs to eat every 3 or so hours (around the clock)..also you will need to make sure her bowels are working and that she passes all her meconium. (sometimes the little ones will need help via an enema to get it all out)..also watch her for any signs of raspy lungs/fever ect.. since she was born via c-section.. she has a higher risk of Pneumonia..

Just in case you have never tubed before.. this is how we do it
tubing is easier if you have someone to help you.. lay kid on her left side.. Hold the tubing by her side.. right about belly length.. you are pretending the tube is inside.. but just running it along her right side up to her mouth..with a sharpie.. mark where the corner of her mouth is.. I put the warm milk/colostrum into a coffee cup.. disconnect the tubing.. pull up the syringe full.. attach the tube.. gentle depress the plunger (it is hard to push).. you are getting all the air out out of the tube.. let it spray out a little into the sink.. dip the end of the filled tube back into the milk to wet it.. I am right handed, so my directions are for a rightie.. Take your left hand (kid is laying on left side)...open mouth.. I keep my fingers of my left hand (on the left side of her head). in the mouth to keep it open.. I hold the syringe by the plunger with my teeth (so both hands are free).. I use my right hand to gently guide/push the tubing down the throat.. You are wanting to stay along the right side of the throat.. If she coughs, you are in an airway.. pull back ..repeat.. once you have the tube in.. up to the mark you made earlier.. I then will scruff/pinch the kid on the neck to get it to yell a little.. (yelling without coughing tells me the tube is in the right place).. I use my left hand to hold the tube in place up against the roof of the mouth.. I hold the syringe in my right hand (up a bit higher then the head and usually use my chin) again so I have both hands free.. to push the plunger.. it is hard to push, .. it won't let you go too fast.. as soon as the syringe is empty.. pull the tube out fast and have your holder lift the kid into a head higher then rear position... It gets each easy after you do it a few times. I can do it alone, but with a helper it's a lot faster,less messy.. I never just syringe fluid into a kid.. it's either sucking (as in true sucking or tubing).. otherwise you really risk aspiration..

Katie.. you are correct.. BoSe.. 1/4 to 1/2 cc..

Again.. congrats and excellent save... (a live kid after such an awful event.. well it just makes the whole thing.. much more bearable.)

big hugs
susie, mo ozarks

murkerson · #17 04/04/13, 11:48 AM

She's sucking very well. I didn't have a pritchard nipple and the lamb nipple seemed way too big so we are using a regular baby bottle. Shes seems to be doing okay. She is taking only about 2oz at a time but takes it with no problem. She is doing better with standing, just cant hold herself up for long. I don't have the money for a vet until Wednesday so I'm doing what I can with what I've got right now. I will see if I can get a pic of her standing. Any idea when her eyes should open completely? She is urinating like nobodys business and has had three bowel movements that looked normal (dark tar looking, stuck together).

yarrow · #18 04/04/13, 11:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by murkerson

She's sucking very well. I didn't have a pritchard nipple and the lamb nipple seemed way too big so we are using a regular baby bottle. Shes seems to be doing okay. She is taking only about 2oz at a time but takes it with no problem. She is doing better with standing, just cant hold herself up for long. I don't have the money for a vet until Wednesday so I'm doing what I can with what I've got right now. I will see if I can get a pic of her standing. Any idea when her eyes should open completely? She is urinating like nobodys business and has had three bowel movements that looked normal (dark tar looking, stuck together).

If she is standing and suckling.. I think she'll be just fine.. (No need for a vet at this point, that I can think of).. the BoSe woud help with her walking (but if she's able to get up on her own.. she may not need any at all).. if she is consistent with her sucking (human baby bottle, also perfect).. then she doesn't need the ringers (just make sure she keeps peeing.. fluid in/fluid out LOL).. sounds like she is passing her merconium just like she should be.. I've had premies that were down and out flat.. couldn't even raise their heads.. we had to do EVERYTHING for them.. for days on end.. Your little girl sounds like she *baked* just about long enough.. the first 72 hours are the usual time window for aspiration pneumonia.. once you get past that 3rd day..it's usually smooth sailing..
again, congrats.. so sorry about the loss of your doe, but again.. great save!
susie, mo ozarks

murkerson · #19 04/04/13, 12:28 PM

She's not standing per say. She has a hard time getting her stance and she only holds it for a minute :/

myheaven · #20 04/04/13, 06:03 PM

She is eating and attempting to stand. That is a great sign. Don't let her spend her energy. She just needs to eat sleep pee and poop. She is doing great. Keep going and keep us updated