Goat in labor

[Maria Bohle]

Raised sheep for over 34 years. This is my first goat in labor. Bloody show this morning at 6 am, bag of water protruding since 4 pm, clear yellowish liquid, looks like a cup or more. Prob twins, short spurts of labor, have not seen the hard rhymethic contractions that I have seen in sheep. She does not appear to be in distress. Contractions seem short a half minute or so. As long as no blood am waiting. Anyone have any experience? Your suggestions would be appreciated.

[Leilanae]

Hi Maria,
Here's some info:

http://extension.psu.edu/courses/meal-g ... e-of-labor

Atb,

Leilanae

[Leilanae]

Hi again,

If the page comes up "this page does not seem to exist", look down to the left and there is a "stages of labor" to click on.

Atb,

Leilanae

[Maria Bohle]

Thanks. That was just what I needed.

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[Rachel]

Now that is a good post!

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[Irene de Villiers]

Dear Maria,
One of my best friend breeds goats, and they know how to throw a few curveballs, so hopefully thi is a plain delivery. With only yellow discharge, probably first stage labor stil, it can take 1 to 24 hours. A long as discharge is not red, but whitish or yellowish and she is comfy, she is likely not ready yet to deliver.
The kid needs to be positioned down in place for delivery, it can take time. Twins are usual. Multiple births can involve premature kids, or a mix of term and premature. Check teeth, in does if they are still all under the gums if she is premie. In bucks less so, usully the teeth are less protruing than does but shoud not be totally in the gums, also indicates premie if so.
Lungs are last to develop, premies have a hard time, be ready to help with homeopathy for premies with poor lungs. (More risky in multiple births to have preemies, but check) . To check inside if a kid is alive, work a lubricated finger in till you can put it in the mouth - a live kid will suck.
Premies die easily. A doe can have a mix of term and preemies.

If nothig happening awhen it seems to long, check position for delivery. If all is positioned, dlated an no labor, Caulophyllum 30C can induce.

Labor can be helped if needed - either Caul 30C and/or grip the front feet and pull in the direction of the vagina - namely downwards, DURING a contraction only. Or use wide soft shoelaces around the feet.
Caul can also help if the cervix is not dilated well, to get it dilated enough.

Pyometras are quite common, I would use a preventive dose of Pyrog 200C after delivery.

Getting mom and kids to bond is very important in goats. They need LOTS of space, and to be left where the birth occurs to do so. The little ones can take a couple of hours to suckle and get colostrum, else help them, usually only after all deliveries including placentas (which she should eat) are delivered, be sure she does not lie on one during delivery of next. Hence the lots of space... But it can take up to 24 hrs to get all placentas out after a multiple birth. DO count them.
If a weak kid can not suckle the teats may be sealed, so gently remove the covering that comes off by itself with strong suckling but weak kids may need help.

For the doe use raised buckets so kids do not drown in them.

Caul comes in handy after all are out. CLose down the urterus with a dose 30C every half hour for 4 doses.

There are two sacs, the amniotic sac (pale) and the placental sac (dark), and both may show before the real labor starts.
Problems occur if the kid/s are mispositioned - eg legs forward with head back, or other odd presentations, twin legs intertwined etc - normal being two front toes and head (up) pointing out - if mispositioned, then labor stops.
YOu may have to lube, reach in and gently rearrange.
Start with one finger, then two, then more till a fist goes in.......
You want the placental sac intact till the labor is fully under way or the kid can drown in placental fluid.
If placental sac breaks, you need to get the the kid out fast.

Other things are obvious or common sense and you will know them - clearing the airways (eg you can induce a sneeze with a stick of straw ticking the nose to clear nose mucus).

Hope this helps.

Good luck!

Namaste,
Irene

REPLY TO: only
--
Irene de Villiers, B.Sc AASCA MCSSA D.I.Hom/D.Vet.Hom.
P.O. Box 4703 Spokane WA 99220.
www.angelfire.com/fl/furryboots/clickhere.html (Veterinary Homeopath.)
"Man who say it cannot be done should not interrupt one doing it."

[CLBernat]

Caulophyllum 6c, 12,c, 30c or 200c what ever you have. Dissolve pellets in water and succuss between doses. Dose every 15 minutes until she begins to contract. Back off and wait, If baby is stuck, use KY jelly and hands to turn or help baby through the pelvis. Repeat Caulophyllum if necessary after birth to clear the uterus.

Dr. Carol Stuart

[Maria Bohle]

We had one littl female this morning by 7 am, others still in there at this writing. Her companion is also in labor. Can feel a nose two inches in. Other female has one foot hanging out all day. Doesn't appear to be stuck as is moveable as is nose on other one. Neither nanny looks distressed, dad was a Boer females are dwarf.
If these were sheep this would be done long ago.
Do I interfere or leave them alone. Cauliophylum 30c every 15 minutes for 3 hours has done nothing. The kid that was born after 12 hours is healthy and steady on her feet. Doesn't look very big and is smaller then my 4 one week old lambs.

Wait or help?

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[Leilanae]

Hi Maria,

According to the article:

Stage two:
"...If you notice a nose but no toes or toes and no nose you may have to offer assistance to the doe...............Assuming a normal delivery, the nanny should deliver a kid in less than an hour after beginning to push."

Stage three:
"This may take several hours."

Atb,

Leilanae

[Maria Bohle]

Seems to me it is lasting too long. Nannies still do not look stressed.

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