Help needed ASAP

[Heather]

Would it be possible that this is a missed abortion? We had a cow that went into labor and just simply couldnt get the calf out. After finally getting a vet to agree to come out he did nothing but charge us an $800 bill for sleeving her and letting us know she might or might not expel the fetus. Needless to say the cow never fully got the calf out and after pulling a leg and tail out of the poor cow she had to be put down. We believe she was septic from the bacteria from the calf being inside and dead. Could something like this have happened to your ewe? BTW the vet gave us a shot to induce labor so she could pass the fetus but that did not work because her cervix simply wouldnt reopen. I would hate for someone else to go through this experience(the cow was my 6 year olds cow)

 

[HeatherL]

I can relate to your dilemma of only having one vet. We only have 1 in our area and he has warned us that he doesn't know sheep very well. It's about $150 for him just to show up so I call him first. If he doesn't think the animal is going to make it, he says so. I do appreciate that honesty as money is tight especially in the animal department. However, it would be nice to have a vet to learn from. Don't get discouraged. I would find goat/sheep people in your area. You could call your county extension office and find out if they have any 4h families in your area. They can pass your info to them and they can be a wealth of knowledge.

 

[RedBrush Farm]

Well, it's day day six. No fever, acting normal, eating well. Very minimal discharge and what there is does not smell nasty or anything. I am hoping these are all good signs. I am giving her penicillin in case I introduced bacteria when I examined her. I guess there is nothing to do now but wait.....

 

[frustratedearthmother]

If it's been six days - it's almost guaranteed that she's not going to die from THIS! If a birth goes bad and nothing is done- a doe or ewe will probably go septic and die within about three or four days. Soooo, I'd say she's doing very well!

 

[bonbean01]

Sounds encouraging...hoping all is well!

 

[Hens and Roos]

Glad to hear she is doing well

 

[RedBrush Farm]

Thanks Everyone - it is encouraging to hear that you think she will make it through this!! It is day 7 and discharge has stopped, no swelling, belly does not look as large as it did, ears up, eyes clear and eating well - back to looking in my pocket for a treat. I dont know what is going on with her, but I will just keep praying she will be ok.....

 

[Goat Whisperer]

Glad she seems to be doing okay! Thanks for updating us!

 

[autumnprairie]

Thank you for posting, it helps to see what goes on in other places and what to look for and what was done. I am glad she is doing well

 

[lungewhipqueen]

Totally sounds like a false pregnancy to me. I have goats and luckily haven't dealt with this yet, but my sister had a goat who did it to her twice. She went the full 150 days and blew up like a balloon. Grew a huge udder, moaned and groaned while laying down at night, looked just like a pregnant girl ought to. Then passed nothing but fluid like you described.

I agree with the others too that you should be looking for a new vet! I can totally understand a vet giving you the real deal on his expectations for recovery, cost and his skill or lack thereof. But to flat refuse to work on the animal because HE doesn't think it's smart money would absolutely piss me off. It's not his animal to make that decision. Only YOU can decide what she's worth to you and how much you're willing to spend on her.

I'm really happy to hear that you didn't take his advice to just cull her. You did the right thing by giving her a chance. Even if she did have an infection or retained a fetus... it doesn't mean she's absolutely gonna die. People would be amazed what they can come back from if you just help them along.