Spotz's Kidding thread: C-SECTION MOM & BABY UPDATE! PAGE 13

[jerebear7]

So, I have a quick question about Spotz. First of all, she seems to have a firmer udder (not kinda squishy like it was this morning), not shiny or anything, it seems bigger but it's hard to tell since I look at it everyday whether it's bigger or not. That's about the only new-ish thing I've seen in her. But, my question to anyone that can help is this, on the ligament thing, I can wrap my fingers around her spine at the end of the spine and just a little above where her tail head is. but when i feel side to side..I feel something hard about 1 inch or so away from the spine...are those her ligaments, or is it bone? I tried it on one of our un-bred does, and I couldn't wrap my fingers around like I can on Spotz.. :/ ..I am seriously so confused now. does she still have her ligaments, or not? I have been doing so much research and learning so much from this forum, but these past 2 days I seem to have forgotten EVERYTHING...ugh. :/ Please help if you know the answer to my question on the ligaments. Thanks.

 

[vermillionoaks]

As Licorice's ligaments are loosening, they are sinking a bit. I also find it is harder to find her ligaments depending on what position she is in. She really doesn't like me checking them much. If her legs are back because she is trying to get away I can't always feel them. However, when she calms down and stands straight I can. The farther back you go down her spine, the wider the distance between the ligaments and the spine. (not sure if that is the right way to describe it) My breeder described it as they will change to like a rubber band, then they will soften like bubble gum, then you will really have to feel deep to find them, then they are gone. I found the easiest way was to have someone help me hold the goats and have a hand on my pregnant doe and the other hand on one that is not pregnant and compare at the same time. The pregnant doe will be much more squishy but you can at least feel the direction the ligaments should be going, just maybe a little deeper. My breeder also said her does didn't really get a "shiny" udder right before kidding. I know I'm not an expert but I really hope it helps a little. I hope Spotz has her babies soon so you don't have to keep waiting!

 

[jerebear7]

I guess my question is more literally can you wrap your fingers around the spine if they still 'have' their ligaments? Thanks so much for that info. I am just getting tired of guessing..lol. I wish more people around here had goats that I could show them what I'm talking about lol. I'm horrible at trying to describe over the computer. Thanks again.

 

[Mamaboid]

When the ligaments are getting looser, you can wrap your fingers around the spine easier, but when the ligaments are "gone" it has a whole different feeling and trust me, you WILL know the difference. There is no way to accurately describe the difference, but I would say it feels like the only thing holding the goat's tail on is skin.

 

[that's*satyrical]

C'mon Spotz, pop those derned kids out already!!!!

 

[jerebear7]

How long after the udder gets tight do they usually kid? Also, I couldn't feel her baby this morning..does this mean she's getting closer to kidding?

 

[20kidsonhill]

How long after the udder gets tight do they usually kid? Also, I couldn't feel her baby this morning..does this mean she's getting closer to kidding?

hours to a couple days. Is she walking different? like her udder is so tight, she can't get her legs together?

 

[jerebear7]

How long after the udder gets tight do they usually kid? Also, I couldn't feel her baby this morning..does this mean she's getting closer to kidding?

hours to a couple days. Is she walking different? like her udder is so tight, she can't get her legs together?

Yeah, her legs are like further apart, I noticed it was tighter yesterday. But she walks like her udder is getting in the way, if that makes since. Also, I tried to feel for her ligaments, and it was just completely mushy back there, I couldn't feel anything. Is that normal? Thanks for the help! I'll go out and try to get a pic, that might be easier

 

[jerebear7]

Here are pics of her udder from just a few minutes ago...

 

[Pearce Pastures]

She looks ready to go to me. I'd be hooking up the baby monitor...ya know, so you can go nuts every time she makes a sound