I have a friend who has 2 first fresheners with prolapse of the Vagina, they are not due until mid March. I have not actually seen it, but she describes it as hanging out about 4" and wet and "oozing". She already plans on culling them, but would like to get the kids, if possible. Neither one of us has experienced this before, and really have no idea what to do, and whether or not delivery will even be possible. Between us, we have called every vet in two counties, and none will treat goats anymore. We would really appreciate any advice or information anyone has. One of her does that has it is out of her "top ten" doe. I have her twin sister, due at the same time, and have no problems (knock on wood)!Help! Thanks alot, everyone! Kathie p.s. the uterus is not involved, it is just the vagina, turned inside out.

-- Kathie in Western Washington (twinrosefarm@worldnet.att.net), February 18, 2001

Answers

Hi,

I have a first freshener who I was worried about too. Her vulva semed to be expanding more than what I thought (as a newbie) was normal. Doe is also due in mid March. Well with the lack of good goat vets here, I had some expereienced goat people take a look and check her out-and they pronounced my doe normal. And said that sometimes it appears as a prolapse, but is actually just the tissues expanding and getting ready for the birthing, caused by the hormones. They told me to keep an eye on her, and see how it went- assuring me that the rest of her would 'catch up' soon. And as of now-she has-her udder is bagging up and everything is just looking very pregnant and getting ready for the last leg. what looked like a possible prolapse-is not looking that way now.

I hope that helps-and hopefully your friends doe is going through the same thing as mine. Keep us posted about what is happening.

Oh and one of the best things I did was to ask someone who knows goats to take a look-get different peoples opinions too. It couldn't hurt, and may well help. And if she is prolapsing-my guess would be that ther is not a whole lot to do but make sure she doesn't go through a lot of physical stress these last few weeks. Though I would suspect that exercise is still important-as would be excellent nutrition. Too bad we can't teach goats to kegel! Would any of the things that they use on sheep be helpful-does anyone know? There is a harness thingy that is used, along with what they call a ewespoon. Maybe you could use that without the spoon?

Sarah

-- sarah (heartsongacres@juno.com), February 18, 2001.

I have to agree with Sarah, the odds of two first fresheners both having a vaginal prolapse? Pretty slim.

I drove up last weekend to a show in the county north of us to look at a doe I sold a kid, who subsequently went reserve grand Yeah! Anyway the mom was insisting that I had let her get pregnant before they bought her as she was not only big and pregnant but that she was starting an udder and you could feel that their was milk in it. Actually she had me rather distressed about this. At the show she had a lovely, very growthy doe, who was commended in the show for her depth of body. The udder was a normally maturing yearling udder, with nice skin, and no milk! Kathie if I were you I would make a trip to see the does, especially if you are using the bloodline! Yeeks! Vicki

-- Vicki McGaugh TX (vickilonesomedoe@hotmail.com), February 19, 2001.

I have heard that you should keep a vaginal prolapse well lubricated unitl she kids, not to let it get dried out. Also, that they are sometimes due to overweight, which might actually make sense for a frist frshener, especially if she is a coming two year old that has had plenty of time to lay on fat. Are your friend's two does related? The fact that hers are prolapsed and your twin is not, would make me suspect overweight as a possible factor.

-- Rebekah (daniel1@itss.net), February 20, 2001.