My older Nubian doe Bearhug who is 8 years old and never had any problems kidding until this time. She has always had a single or twins and had the first 2 and stopped. I took the 2 in the house and fed them some colotrum and went back to check on the afterbirth. There were 2 dead doelings and pretty obvious stillborn. I felt so terrible because I usually check to see if the doe has more kids and did not this time. the buck and doe were good big kids and she was up walking around. when I went back and found the horrible mess, she was down and kind of dragging her back leg. She could walk but with difficulty. Now she is really unable to stand on her back legs. I have given her vitamins, electrolyte fluids(she drinks lots of water) I am giving her the nutrition gel stuff in a tube. She really does not eat much and she only nibbles on the hay. what can I do now?? She is a beautiful doe and I hate to lose her.

-- Karen Mauk (kansashobbit@yahoo.com), February 06, 2002

Answers

Karen any possible way it was two breedings? Were the two stillborn smaller? We have a baby in a mason jar that was obviously from an later breeding, when the doe delivered there were 2 robust kids and this little one.

I always go to milk fever treatment when a doe is acting odd after kidding. All of the pinched nerve, tired from kidding, 8 is old, kind of advice is really not happening on a normal delivery like this. I would make sure the vitamins include lots of B, make sure the nutrition gel is geared towards milk fever. If you do inject calcium make sure it is her body temp. Molassas for energy. I keep the CMPK tubes for pre kidding problems and the super calcium gel for post, I also buy tubes of B vitamins, and some of the other calf gels to use for nutritional support even if the doe is eating. Remember Calcium if they are listless, and Magnesium if they are crazed or nervous, or twitching :) Vicki

-- Vicki McGaugh TX (vickilonesomedoe@hotmail.com), February 06, 2002.

Karen I'm sorta in the same boat right now. My doe can still stand up with some help but her hind end is so weak. The vet has her on antibotics, nutra drench and any feed that she will take. The vet told me to place feed in her mouth even if she doesn't want it. I was told the main thing to do is help her up often since her legs are swollen from being down so much and get her to eat! I really hope that your doe will be ok. I left the kids in with mine since they sort of keep her mind there. My thoughts will be with you. Hang in there.

-- shari (smillers@snowcrest.net), February 07, 2002.

Karen, how is Bearhug today? My goat has been up on her own today and starting to eat a bit of food. I really hope that yours is doing better also.

-- shari (smillers@snowcrest.net), February 07, 2002.

Bearhug, is eating a little grain now. She was actually pushing it around with her nose to pick out the best parts. She has been drinking her electrolyte water really well. I am still giving her antibiotics and hi-energy gel. Her eyes seem brighter and she is looking around. She still can't get up on her hind legs. I help her move to another spot and keep lots of fresh straw under and around her. the doeling and buckling are doing great, Bonnie and Clyde are their names. the 2 stillborns were good sized and looked like they had been dead for awhile. I am still hopeful she will recover. I go out every day and tell her I love her and pet her. I am off the next 3 days so hope to spend more time with her and will take the kids out to see her. I am so glad that your doe is doing better and will update you on bearhug and hope to hear about your doe too. thanks for all the help.

-- Karen Mauk (kansashobbit@yahoo.com), February 07, 2002.

Karen is your doe up yet? Hope so.

-- shari (smillers@snowcrest.net), February 08, 2002.