Checking for blind cervix?

[Goatsandsheep]

Hello I was wondering at what age you can check for a blind cervix? My 5 year old doe had twin does this year and I would like to check as early is possible that's safe. She's has a 3 year old doe that's kidded twice and a 2 year old doe that ended up having a blind cervix. I don't want to get attached or keep a none breeding doe. Thank you

[mygoat]

Are you talking about the extremely rare freemartin condition? This is extraordinarily rare in goats, which are totally dissimilar to cows. Goats (and sheep) are meant to have multiples, and females are NOT effected by their male littermate siblings. It is POSSIBLE, but it is VERY rare.

Hermaphrodite goats happen OCCASIONALLY, but still VERY rare. There is sometimes a link between the polled gene the gene(s) responsible for hermaphroditism, but this is not a hard/fast rule and little research has been put in to ID the genetics behind polled/hermaproditism. They have traits that make them generally pretty noticeable when compared to a normal sister or other doeling. There is a REALLY good thread on hermies on this forum, with pictures and everything.

As for a blind vagina on an otherwise normal goat, that is not something I'd even consider to have to check. Keep in mind that the OS is below the rear vaginal wall where semen is deposited during live cover, so it may feel like it ends but it does NOT - you just have to look 'down' to see the OS of the cervix. (It's easier if you've done AI before, you'll know what I'm talking about.

I've never checked my goats for physical reproductive issues because they are *that* rare.

[Goatsandsheep]

The 2 year old was check last Nov. after not coming in to heat. She was giving two shot of lute and never showed one sign of heat. She was put in with the buck for a month after the last shot and we hoped we just miss it her coming in. Even thought she was check daily by more then one person. Vet ultrasound her after that month and couldn't see anything. She was put next to the buck for a month and we watch for heat again. Vet didn't want her in the pen. When back for another ultrasound in case she just not far enough along last time nothing. Discussed giving her something strong to induce heat. Vet said let check for open cervix and could only get the tip of her finger in. Broke our hearts she won Jr. champion at her last show. So yes I want to check is this is the same breeding. I'm hoping it just a one off thing.

[Frosted Mini's]

Glove up, lube up, insert finger. 2 friends who live near me have had freemartin does, one of them also having a hermaphrodite and I have an 8 month old hermaphrodite in my pasture right now (I'm hoping she'll/it will be a heat detector...time will tell...named "It's Pat" after SNL lol). It is rare to have freemartins and hermies in goats, but not as rare I originally thought.

[Goatsandsheep]

Forgot to say the twin doelings are 2 1/2 months. That's why I ask how old they need to be.

[Frosted Mini's]

Was the 2 year old part of a litter with a buck? Usually, they have to have a male in the litter in order to cause them to be a freemartin. I'm not sure what age you can check at the earliest, but this doe being with only another doe in the set, shouldn't be one, though never say never I guess--she could be a hermaphrodite I guess. Are her teats similar in size to other doelings her age? All of the hermi's and freemartins I have seen have had itty bitty teats. By the way, my hermi doe is horned (disbudded) out of horned/disbudded parents, with no polled in their lines at all, so it can happen to any goat.

[Goatsandsheep]

Yes the 2 year old was the only doe in a set of triplet, but so was the 3 year old that is fine. I believe teat size is normal will check today. We did comment on the 2 year old's teat size just didn't know it could mean something like that. Both parents are (horned) disbudded too. I've sworn for years my sheep have a book of possible problems. They pick one out to have each year to keep me on my toes. Maybe the goats have a book now!