I have a very pregnant doe, due any day now. This afternoon she was laying down and from her rectum is protruding about the size of a baseball. When she stood up it slips back inside.

I don't believe she is in labor. I'm assuming its from the pressure of the kids inside. Do I freak now and call the vet on a Saturaday afternoon or if she holds out till monday, can or should I wait. She seems uncomfortable but not in any distress. I have never had anything like this before. Help!!! Leslie in New York

-- Leslie Ann Rigley (l.a.rigley@altavista.com), February 16, 2002

Answers

I'd go back out to the barn and watch her. Sounds like she's in labor to me. I have heard that this is normal, so don't get upset, just get your stuff ready. Have you looked at books, at least, on delivery? Perfect presentation will be front hooves extended a little beyond the nose. She can also deliver if the back hooves come first. Stay yourself;); Good luck!!

-- mary (marylgarcia@aol.com), February 16, 2002.

Sounds like a prolapsed rectum... is there an experienced goat person around you that you could have come out & look at her? If it isn't life threatening (not bleeding or anything), and since she's due any day, maybe wait on her to deliver & this could solve the problem. I've never heard of a goat with this problem, but I know it occurs in other species when they are straining really hard like if they are constipated. Wish I could help more... also, go try www.Goat911.com they are great about helping.

-- Sharon in AL (Sharonspaws@aol.com), February 16, 2002.

If you are sure it is from the rectum and not vaginal then things should be OK The main thing is that it went back in and stayed there. Any prolapse that occurs and remains external needs dealing with. Watch her closely and ring the vet if it happens again and stays out!

-- Cowvet (cowvet_nz@hotmail.com), February 16, 2002.

Leslie, the advice I would give you is that if it goes back in when she stands up, then don't worry. Prolapses are very uncommon in goats. If it progresses into coming out when she is standing, then yes call the vet. I would also write this down on her health records and keep track if this happens again, or happens to her daughters, might not want to be a line to keep. Vicki

-- Vicki McGaugh TX (vickilonesomedoe@hotmail.com), February 16, 2002.

Thanks everyboby! She had twin boys (large) sunday night. Vet said they see this most often in pigs but is uncommon in other species. She had a bit of a rough time delivering but I think she will be alright and the kids are doing fine. Leslie

-- Leslie Ann Rigley (l.a.rigley@altavista.com), February 18, 2002.

Leslie, I have been searching for some info to help me with bloody/mucous discharge from a doe with unkown pregnant status, but I think she is pregnant. Any info? Regarding the problem you had with your doe... Pat Coleby, in her book, 'Natural Goat and Alpaca Care' second edition, Landlinks Press, CSIRO (Australian) talks about prolapsed uterus as being a problem in late pregnancy with mutiple kids, and says this is caused by poor muscle tone. Her treatment is 'to buy several containers of the biochemic tissue salt, calcium fluoride (not sodium floride) from health food shop. Give the doe three tablets every hour, they can be crushed or she may like chewing them up'. She found this cleared up within 24 hrs. 'Continue to give the doe ten tablets a day until the kids are born. Clacium floride improves muscle tone and could help ensure normal birth, and is completely harmless. Maybe in your case the rectum prolapse can be treated the same way. Cheers, Gina.

-- Gina Sherritt (sherritt@ozemail.com.au), April 12, 2002.