Ligaments Gone For Days, No Kids!

[Ann114]

I have two does who are currently on watch. Both are third timers, and I have witnessed their other two births. I'm going nuts because both have had no ligaments for days. Before that, both had them "come and go" for the past 3-4 weeks! Ligament checks are nothing new to me, so I know it is not error on my part. Last year both girls lost their ligs and then kidded a few hours later, like clockwork.

Both girls appear healthy and happy. One has a very full udder, and the other is filling, but not giant. Both have lost their mucus plugs, and both have a bit of discharge here and there. I do not know their breeding date since I let my buck run. I relied on changing bodies and ligaments to know when they are due, so this was never an issue before.

WHY on Earth would their ligs be soft for so long without kidding? We just moved here and don't know of any good vets. I'd also feel silly calling and saying, "Yeah, not sure exactly when they're due...No, they're not sick...Yes, they're definitely pregnant...."

Advice please!

 

[Pearce Pastures]

Ligaments are a good mark of readiness and without a precise breeding date, it is the best you could go on. I have a pygmy who has a very wide back side and while I can tell her ligaments have softened, I can barely find them near the end of her pregnancies and I just have to wait it out. We do mark breeding dates and with her, it is still a "wait and see" thing because we can't feel her ligs. All of my other goats are easy.

 

[jodief100]

This is normal. Ligs come and go. Mucus drips for minutes- or weeks. Signs of impending labor are like the Pirate Code- not rules so much as guidelines.

I had one kid last night without ever showing any of the signs. I have another that has been drippy, loose ligs and pawing the ground for weeks and NOTHING!

 

[alsea1]

Me too.
I thought it was go time last week. Apparently no.

 

[Ann114]

Phew....

So ligaments being gone without kids in 24 hours does not indeed mean death and destruction?

I've been racking my brain thinking the worst case scenario as to why they are still pregnant. I was hoping it wasn't some sort of nutritional deficiency or asymptomatic disease that somehow prevents parturition.

I had a goat last year who was very ill with pneumonia during her pregnancy and she lost her ligaments for days. She was down for a week. She ultimately could not give birth and a terminal c-section had to be performed. I was devastated.

As long as these ladies continue to be well, just quit worrying and wait?

 

[jodief100]

Yup. and read up on the Doe Code.

 

[Ann114]

Just when you think your ladies are over the "doe code"....Everyone was so easy last year! I thought we turned a new leaf and we were all going to play nice this year. Ha...nope!

 

[HoneyDreameMomma]

Any news?