She was due JAN 1: Is she pregnant?

[hollycow]

I received a goat a short while ago, Saanen, who was bred to a Boer, on August 4. This puts her due date at January 1. She has apparently kidded once before and she is not old. I am new to goats but even I knew that she was looking more skinny than anything and not at all round like the Toggenberg doe I got at the same time who is due February 26 and who is HUGE. Well January 1 has come and gone and I am a basket case. I do not think she is pregnant but I read that some does do not show, especially if there is only one kid in there. Gertie (the Saanen) does not look pregnant and she has none of the signs of a goat about to go into labour. I am stuck. I added some photos here for you all to check for me, if possible, and give some opinions. Also, her udder looks bigger to me than normal but maybe she always had a "bigger" udder??? Argh. I am so confused.

 

[TigerLilly]

Do you know when she kidded last? Is it possible that she was still nursing a kid when you got her? If you've noticed a definite change in the size of her udder & she's bagging up, I'd say get ready for a birthing. What does her 'back-side' look like? Round & puffy or not?

Personally, none of my goats were ever questionable as far as being preggers when they were due--even with birthing only one kidd, they got noticably fatter. But, mine are NDs & Pygmies.

 

[hollycow]

She had been dried off when I got her.

Her backside does not look that different from my regular, ready-to-be-freshened, Saanen doe.

 

[TigerLilly]

Well, it sounds like she's preggers, but with her NOT looking it, I can only say that the only way to surely tell would be a blood test. I wouldn't bother though if she was only bred the once & there was no other chance of her getting preggers since. Wait it out another week or so (if you're sure the previous owner's date is correct)--if she doesnt deliver something, hang it up. She just looks very skinny to me, but that could be because I'm not familiar with the breed. My only dairy goat (alpine/togg X) isn't old enough to breed yet, but she's filled out more.

 

[goatgirl]

I'll through a possibility out there that I would not believe completely had I not experienced it myself.... false pregnancy. I had one of my best does have a false pregnancy last year. She tested positive with my pregtone...got big, bagged up (I could squeeze milk out)had some stuff coming out but NO BABY. This Does udder is showing some development. Either the due date is wrong ..or she maybe trying to fool you. I'd feel of her just in front of her udder and see if you feel any movement...or any pokey limbs.let us know....im curious on this one.

 

[Annamarierw]

My Saanen caries single babies deep and does not show a whole lot. (you can see baby moving if you look)
If she is bagging up then prob. prego but if she is already bagging up you should be able to feel movement or pokey limbs like goat girl said. Keep us posted

 

[hollycow]

I have no felt any movement on the right side, which is where I was checking. I did not check underneath though. Also, I have a stethoscope and I listened to her right side and low down I swear I heard a rapid heartbeat, unless it was hers. On the left sound I only heard rumen noises. I don't see any movement or feel anything in my Toggenburg either and she is definitely showing.

 

[Queen Mum]

I'm guessing pregnant with a small single kid. She's bagging up and she's late. HOWEVER, her due date can be anywhere from January 1 - January 10.

 

[hollycow]

Still nothing and I am still stumped. Her udder seems a hair fuller but the rest of her is the same. I felt her belly all over and her right side but nothing jumped out at me in terms of fetal movement. Her belly is very firm in front of her udder.

 

[hollycow]

She really seems to be bagging up but she looks even skinnier, if that is possible. I am graining her and she is on good quality grass hay with a mineral block.