Question about goat birth if help is needed

[BlessedWithGoats]

Thanks SheepGirl!

 

[OneFineAcre]

I don't use gloves when pulling babies. Often when I find ewes in distress lambing I am more in a "I need to help her right away" rather than "let me go get gloves and wash up." Especially when babies are stuck, sometimes if they're stuck too long they are born weak and/or dead.

We have them
Can't say we always use them

 

[OneFineAcre]

Well I'm going to ask a question too
If we have to go in to reposition a kid we give LA200 next day and then 48 hrs later as a matter of protocol
Does anyone else ?
Just curious

 

[Pearce Pastures]

Not here. I usually have a bucket of soapy bleach water in with me and wash before going in. I guess I kind of figure that the uterus bleeds itself clean afterwards, sort of a self-cleaning oven. If there were trauma or if I suspected it, I might though. When we lost a very large buckling years back, our vet put our doe on antibiotics because she had had quite a lot of pulling and turning to get the kid out.

 

[norseofcourse]

Just a reminder, because it's easy to forget about: When due dates get close, trim your fingernails short, and keep them trimmed and filed smooth. Long or sharp fingernails can be dangerous if you have to go poking around inside your ewe (or doe).

I completely forgot about it this year, and when Rose was in labor and taking *forever* to have her lamb, I started worrying about having to assist. I realized my fingernails were not in the best of shape (they usually aren't lol) and I ran inside and trimmed them real fast, just in case. I ended up not needing to help with the births, but I am adding nail clippers and file to my lambing kit, so I don't forget again.

 

[babsbag]

I have gloves but if I can't feel what I need to feel the gloves come off; they can be very slippery too. A friend of mine likes the long gloves but they don't fit tight. She cuts the fingers off of them and then puts a pair of tight fitting latex gloves on over the top; keeps the OB glove in place and gives her fingers more sensitivity. But in a hurry she doesn't wear anything.

@OneFineAcre I usually give a uterine bolus. Had a doe do a late term abortion a few years ago and one kid had been dead for a while. I didn't even think about flushing her and she hasn't settled since. No sign of infection except during breeding season so she went about 9 months without treatment. Had a vet do a tetracycline flush at that point but she still won't settle, she cycles right on schedule. So now I am extra careful to treat any does I have been in or that have unusual births.

 

[BlessedWithGoats]

Just a reminder, because it's easy to forget about: When due dates get close, trim your fingernails short, and keep them trimmed and filed smooth. Long or sharp fingernails can be dangerous if you have to go poking around inside your ewe (or doe).

I completely forgot about it this year, and when Rose was in labor and taking *forever* to have her lamb, I started worrying about having to assist. I realized my fingernails were not in the best of shape (they usually aren't lol) and I ran inside and trimmed them real fast, just in case. I ended up not needing to help with the births, but I am adding nail clippers and file to my lambing kit, so I don't forget again.

Good point @norseofcourse! Thanks for mentioning that! I usually have short fingernails anyway, but I'll have to make sure that they're good for when the babies come!

 

[BlessedWithGoats]

Thanks everyone! I appreciate your help! And thanks OFA for bringing up the point about giving the doe something if you do have to go in and help them!

 

[purplequeenvt]

Well I'm going to ask a question too
If we have to go in to reposition a kid we give LA200 next day and then 48 hrs later as a matter of protocol
Does anyone else ?
Just curious

The majority of the time I don't wear gloves when assisting (although I started keeping a handful in my pocket this winter because the "lamb goo" was making my hands dry and sore) and I haven't given antibiotics to a ewe after assisting in years. Except one this year, but that wasn't because I pulled lambs it was because she had a very dead baby along with a live one. And she had been prolapsing for a couple weeks.

I think that antibiotics are overused. In most cases, any bacteria/dirt that is introduced while she is lambing will get flushed out with the placenta.

 

[Painted_Angels]

I have to agree with sheepgirl. Sometimes you don't have time for gloves. I also have a better time gripping a foot barehanded than with gloves. For me it is about getting the baby and the momma to a stable situation. I can wash up with antibactiral soap afterwards.