New goat owner..please help!

tcromeans · #1 02/05/14, 06:51 AM

I just recently bought two pygmy goats and they were both bred to kid this month..one of them went into labor yesterday while I wasn't home, and when I got back to check on her the baby goat was dead..I kept a close eye on her the rest of the day to see if she would have any more (this was her first time kidding) she passed the afterbirth and didn't have any more but I'm worried about her because I don't know what to look for to make sure she is healthy..she's acting normal and I gave her some molasses in warm water but her back side is red and inflamed..I know she just had a kid but is that normal? Should I get a vet to look at her? I don't want her to die! Thanks for any help and advice!

dozedotz · #2 02/05/14, 07:01 AM

Very sorry to hear the little one didn't make it...could have been lots of things...the move (goats HATE change) could have caused an early delivery....cold? Sounds like she is recovering from the pregnancy. If she is eating well, pooping and peeing normally...no fever...I think that she probably just needs some time....IF, however, you think her backend is not improving color wise in the next day or so, then maybe a vet call would be in order.

Alice In TX/MO · #3 02/05/14, 07:09 AM

It's normal, and she's going to drain oooky looking bloody goop from her rear for a couple of weeks. Normal.

tcromeans · #4 02/05/14, 07:50 AM

Thank you! I tried to milk her this morning but nothing came out..it could be my inexperience but could her milk have dried up that fast? I know there's suppose to be colostrum first but nothing came out..her udder is firm feeling and her teats are soft but don't feel like they're filled up with anything..I was wanting to milk her..is there anything I can do to get her milk flowing?

Michelle98 · #5 02/05/14, 08:11 AM

You could try some warm compresses. We did that with out goat last year. You have to remember that she has never been milked before so she doesn't "get it". So sorry about the little one!

motdaugrnds · #6 02/05/14, 08:22 AM

I'm sorry you lost the kid and trusting your other dam will deliver when you're home to help.

Do not beat yourself up as losses like this occurs to the most experienced goat owners. Some times there is just no explanation for a dead kid without having a necropsy done.

As Alice stated above, what you're seeing now is normal; so just watch her. (I usually wash my does frequently with warm soapy water as that oozing can be rather acidic and could cause burns.) Take her temperature and just continue letting her get use to her new home. (I have come to believe a goat lives on emotion and anything that brings stress, can upset its rumen.)

As for her udder, it is quite normal for a goat who just kidded to have a relatively hard udder. (Usually the kids punching it with their noses will loosen it.) Massaging it as Michelle suggested is a great idea as is using peppermint oil while doing so as the oil will penetrate.

tcromeans · #7 02/05/14, 08:46 AM

Thank you! This makes me feel better..I'm going to try the warm compresses and massaging.

Lazydaisy67 · #8 02/05/14, 08:54 AM

If the baby came earlier than if was supposed to, she probably hadn't gotten the milk production going yet. Some first time mamas don't get milk until a couple of hours before the kid. If you milk her daily, her milk should start to slowly increase. Her production is based on demand so keep at it. Sorry the baby didn't make it.

tcromeans · #9 02/05/14, 10:10 AM

Thanks for all the responses..I held cloths dipped in warm water to her udder and started massaging them and she started milking! I'm so excited..

tcromeans · #10 02/05/14, 10:13 AM

Here is a picture of my first attempt..I did get more on me and on the ground than in the bucket! Okay..one more question..should I use the first milk ..or will it taste funny because of the colostrum..I don't know how much colostrum there is but this all looks like milk

GraceAlice · #11 02/05/14, 10:24 AM

It will taste very funny. Colostrum is thicker than milk and icky.

You should freeze it into colostrum cubes for any emergency baby feeding you have to do.

Alice In TX/MO · #12 02/05/14, 10:25 AM

You can chill it, then taste it. It normally takes a few days for the colostrum flavor to work its way out.

It varies with each goat.

Keep milking at least twice a day.