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Mother goat lost kids, mourning?

1210 Views 8 Replies 7 Participants Last post by  toth boer goats, 
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Yesterday one of my does kidded but unfortunately they didn't survive.

I purchased her bred (was supposed to be October) the owner wasn't sure on breeding dates because the buck had a limp so didn't know if he was getting the job done. The baby looked full term? But I'm kind of a noob at telling. The baby had its teeth for sure.

The other baby was a mummy, at least that's the term I'm familiar with from raising pigs. It was a skeleton with sludge on it.

Momma bagged up and produced milk. She let me drain it a bit to relieve the pressure. She kept licking the dead baby and stand it near it though. Shes still bleating and crying. I think she's depressed.

I reached inside and didn't feel any other kids. She cleaned. So I assume she's okay. She does have some brownish discharge today. Temp is 103.7. I've seen websites say the normal range is up to 103, 103.5 or 104 so I'm not sure which to believe.

Im not sure if the baby was alive when it came out or not. She had it before we woke up that morning. I was checking her ligaments the day before and they seemed softish, but not as soft as her penmate (who was also bred around the same time). Never saw her mucus plug go either.

It didn't seem like she liked off any of the mucus from the babies nose so maybe it suffocated. It wasn't until after she passed the mummy that she started licking the first baby.

If her penmate has dead babies too I'll send it in for necropsy.
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Questions

1. Is a temp of 103.7 too high? I do have medicine on hand.

2. Are mummies a cause for concern? Or do they just happen sonetimes?

3. Anything so can do to help her be more comfortable?
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Sfgwife
[/QUOTE]Questions

1. Is a temp of 103.7 too high? I do have medicine on hand.

2. Are mummies a cause for concern? Or do they just happen sonetimes?

3. Anything so can do to help her be more comfortable?[/QUOTE]

Temp is fine for now. The mummy just stopped developing at some point. If you want to milk her go on start now. It will just take time for her to realize she jas no kids to care for. If your other doe is se to kidding i wou sepaate them. She may try to steal kids.
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Questions

1. Is a temp of 103.7 too high? I do have medicine on hand.

2. Are mummies a cause for concern? Or do they just happen sonetimes?

3. Anything so can do to help her be more comfortable?[/QUOTE]

Temp is fine for now. The mummy just stopped developing at some point. If you want to milk her go on start now. It will just take time for her to realize she jas no kids to care for. If your other doe is se to kidding i wou sepaate them. She may try to steal kids.[/QUOTE]

Okay I shall continue to take her temp everyday just in case. I'm glad it's nothing to be concerned about yet. She seems to be eating and drinking like normal.
I have been milking her everyday so far, thankfully she's super chill about it. I will keep that in mind and put her in a different pen. thank you for the advice I appreciate it!
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Damfino
Sorry you lost the kids. Goats definitely go into mourning for a few days to a week after losing kids. I think her temperature sounds a tad high and I'd be concerned about uterine infection from the decomposed kid combined with the fact that you had to reach in and look for more. It's usually not a bad idea to do a uterine flush if the doe is still open, or if it's too late for that you might consider a course of penicillin. Keep an extra close eye on her discharge, especially if you hold off on antibiotics. She'll start having a dark red discharge in a few days to a week and if it has any kind of "off" smell it's a cause for concern. Good luck with the other doe!
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MadHouse
So sorry to hear. :hug:
Hugs to her and you!
I hope all goes well with the other doe!
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MellonFriend
No advice here, but so sorry for you and your doe. I think the saddest thing in nature is a mother who's lost a child. Send her my condolences and I hope she feels better soon. :hug:
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toth boer goats
So sorry for the loss, I agree they do morn.

Give her love and comfort.

Probitics and fortified vit b complex.
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Tanya
We must remember animals dont do an emotional human connection to each other. There is the hormonal instinctive connection. Yes they call for their babies and they feel the loss of the babies but its because the body is sending out messages that say there must be something. Its during this time that mommas tend to steal babies.
The best is to give her attention and to milk her out. Let her mix with the herd but not other babies. Give her something for pain and give her the right vitamines and food.
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toth boer goats
:up:
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