Retained placenta

Cashewnut · #1 06/08/14, 12:58 PM

It has been 19 hours since she gave birth and needing to know how long can I go before I need to call the vet.

The two doelings have nursed but little movement of the placenta has taken place.

She has had her CD &T vaccine, vit B complex with B12 included, she is eating and drinking fluids as of 3 hours ago. She is grinding teeth, no temp and seems to be in some discomfort in trying to lay down.

Boer goat, 4 years old, second kidding.

What do I need to get from the vet besides Bo-Se and banamine?

Any help will be appreciated. Thank you for reading.

notwyse · #2 06/08/14, 01:18 PM

Did you watch the birth and stay with the doe for several hours after? Did she spend "private time" alone? If so when might of eatin the placenta. That gives her back nutrients and reduces predators.

Cashewnut · #3 06/08/14, 01:26 PM

Yes, I was present at the births, with her all night and have kept a watch on her every 30 mins since this am. There is still a heavy cord of tissue still hanging and it hasn't moved in hours.

6 PM will be 24 hours but I really hate to leave this hanging until tomorrow AM. I know cattle can go several days, <from personal experience>, but haven't found much info on how long the placenta can remain in goats before it becomes a major concern. Longest in my experience has been 6 hours.

Thank you for your comment.

Alice In TX/MO · #4 06/08/14, 01:32 PM

I'd get a quart zip lock bag. Fill with water. Tie it with dental floss (or baling twine) to the cord that is hanging. The weight will be gentle traction.

This has worked for me and several goat friends.

**mygoat** · #5 06/08/14, 01:35 PM

24hrs after birth, I start them on 1cc per 20lbs of BioMycin (or 200mg/ml oxytetracycline - biomycin simply doesn't hurt as much).

Lutelyse is often given by goat people but from my understanding, the repro system is almost completely unresponsive to it that soon after kidding due to receptors being overwhelmed during labor so recently. It takes 10+ days for the uterus to respond well to it again.

A few days of antibiotics, and the placenta will come out unassisted - I always do a full 7 days of antibiotics. This has worked well for me in the past.

**mygoat** · #6 06/08/14, 01:38 PM

The baggie of water is a good idea, especially if she's eaten any of the excess tissue already that would otherwise be gently pulling and help stimulate release. Just a good quart sized one would work, about 1/2-3/4 full of water.

I don't know if you do already, but I would also think about implementing copper boluses/BoSe if you're in an area that is deficient. I really noticed a difference after starting BoSe in the retained placenta issues before. I give both 1 month pre-breeding and pre-kidding.

Cashewnut · #7 06/08/14, 01:42 PM

Thank you all for the responses, I will get that baggie on her and will start the antibiotic also.

I am out of Bo-Se but will head to vets in the morning to get some.

Off to tie the baggie on.

BBL.

punchiepal · #8 06/08/14, 02:16 PM

My first question would be are you sure there is not a retained kid?
Have you went in and checked?
Have you tried bouncing her to help the fundus contract? This has worked on more than one doe.
Is she having any sort of contractions to expel it?
Not sure of your feeding situation but she could be short on calcium, causing stalled contractions and need CMPK. Injectable would be better but oral is better than nothing. Other option would be oxytocin.

Cashewnut · #9 06/08/14, 02:31 PM

No, I am not sure if she has any more nor did I go in to check. While I have been present at all my goats births, I just haven't not had any problems in the past and I am really trying to do my best.

I am not comfortable trying to go in at this time as I am not sure what I am feeling for. I have been in one other goat before but she was a large goat and this one is a shorty red boer. Is it that something I need to do at this time? I really am afraid I would hurt her more than waiting for the vet tomorrow.

The water bag is hanging, antibiotic administered, treats given, alfalfa on the way when I go back in a few minutes. Will try to bounce to see what happens.

Thanks again, bbl.

Doug Hodges · #10 06/08/14, 02:46 PM

I would go in and check. I normally do just to be sure anyway. Wash up. Lube up. Go in. Feel for another one. If you find one, get it out. If not the stimulation of you going in may have her push the placenta out.

Cashewnut · #11 06/08/14, 02:48 PM

I feed 2 parts alfalfa pellets, 1 part boss, 1 part goat pellets, mixed in with 1/2 cup of rn onyx, tsp kelp, manna pro goat balancer.

She is munching on alfalfa hay, gave her some electrolytes with cal mpk with molasses in a gallon of water.

12 inches of movement, hopefully the rest on on the way out.

Cashewnut · #12 06/08/14, 02:51 PM

Oops, missed your reply Doug. <Taking a deep breath> If it doesn't all come out in the next hour, I will try.

Cashewnut · #13 06/08/14, 06:07 PM

Went in and found a large hole in the uterus. Vet called and she is no longer in pain. Thanks to all who replied.

Lesson learned, will check any doe who doesn't pass placenta in a timely manner. A very hard and costly lesson. A very sad day for me....