Although this event happened over a month ago, some may still find it interesting.
I am throwing in a disclaimer at this point. The pictures and descriptions that follow depict the stark realities of a birth by C-section. The picture quality is not very good – I apologize.
I have read on many blogs this spring and looked at many pictures of goats kidding and of cute new kids. These are fun to share and experience. However, to only see the miracle of natural birth and clean, cuddly kids only is to ignore the reality of farm life and the husbanding of the animals under your care. Although messy, it is no less a miracle of God, and no less interesting.
Kate is a three year old French Alpine who came to us from Texas as a first freshener. She is the goat pictured on the stand here. She has had her troubles and triumphs during her time with us as far as kidding goes but she has come through it all and actually become our star milker. One of the things which makes Kate unique among our goats is the fact that she has a deep body and carries her kids so well that we never really know if she has been successfully bred until she is actually in labor. Last year she kept us guessing until the day of her delivery and then had three beautiful kids. This year was no different! Even on the day she began streaming Janis and I were voicing our concern over the fact that we may not be able to milk her this year, but true to her form, labor started that afternoon. Now we are not of the opinion as some are, that we should just leave our animals to themselves to let things happen as nature intended. I believe God intended that we shepherd our flocks and look to their needs.
Be thou diligent to know the state of thy flocks and look well to thy herds. And thou shalt have goat’s milk enough for thy food, for the food of thy household, and for the nourishment of thy maidens. Proverbs 27:23, 27
After all they and their increase is a gift form the Lord.
And he will love thee, and bless thee, and multiply thee: he will also bless the fruit of thy womb, and the fruit of thy land, thy corn, and thy wine, and thine oil, the increase of thy kine, and the flocks of thy sheep, in the land which he sware unto thy fathers to give thee. Deut. 7:13
Well, looking to their needs includes watching over their delivery, as animals sometimes need a little (sometimes a lot!) of help. Our vigil with Kate began Saturday evening. We had been occasionally checking on her all afternoon and by late evening I was convinced that her time was eminent. I set a timer in our bedroom and rose from sleep every two hours all through the night and into the next morning. She was having a few contractions, but nothing of any significance and it drug on into Sunday. At noon Kate’s right flank hollowed as the kids moved into position in the birth canal. At 2:00 pm her left flank also hollowed. She had been streaming mucus for 24 hours. She had been scratching out nests in the stall and now did not want to stand. (goats deliver standing most of the time) All signs pointed to an immediate delivery and Janis and I began spending longer periods in the barn waiting. And waiting…and waiting. We went to bed and set the timer to rise each hour and a half. At 3:00 am I felt this had gone on long enough with no results and decided to see if she had dialate. What I discovered was what felt to be two sets set of hooves and no head (multiple kids trying to come at once, which of course cannot happen) . I also discovered that Kate had not dialated far enough to birth a kid. While checking her she gave the first real contraction of any significance. I hurried into the house to get Janis’ help as I knew we would probably have to go in and rearrange the kids in order for them to be able to pass. This is not a decision I would hurry into as it is possible to rupture the cervix or uterus wall and I do not want to do any damage, nor do I want to interfere where no interferance is warranted. But when it is needed, it is either go in and fix the problem, or both the mother and the kids will die. I tried massaging the cervix as Kate had her contractions in order to get her to dialate, but there was no change in several hours. I knew Kate could not pass this kid. At 7:00am I called the Veterinarian at his home for advise. He concurred she needed help. He arrived at 8:00am and checked her, confirming the fact that Kate was not going to dialate and would have to have a “C-section” to deliver. This decision in itself must be weighed heavily as it is expensive to perform and you must decide if the gains are worth the costs. I have no illusions about the fact that we are speaking about an animal, even if it is one we are attached to, and the decision to save it is not necessarily automatic – welcome to life (and death) on a farm. Kate, as I said before is our star milker, and at $6 plus for raw organic milk (if it was available in Idaho, which it is not) coupled with the possibility of multiple kids dictated intervention.
The Vet and I discussed where to do the operation and it was decided on the milkroom floor. This is not the first time our family members have had to intervene in a birth, but it was the first time we would need to do a C-section. I was quite surprised to hear the Vet tell that it could be done with the goat standing. This morning was an eye opener for us all. We would assist the Vet by holding Kate still while the doc did his thing. We were very interested to watch the whole process, especially Tyler I think, since he has had abdominal surgery in the past, but of course he was unconscious at the time. In fact my whole family watched with rapt attention as we conversed with the Doc. about the whole process. We found it extremely interesting! We are very thankful to Dr. Lewis for saving the life of Kate and her kid! I have included a few pictures and descriptions.
Shaved, swabbed and receiving “local” injection
1st cut through skin
Cut through muscle- then reach elbow deep inside to find uterus and bring it to the surface.
After the uterus was incised, it was found that two fetuses had died about 2/3 of the way through the pregnancy. They were mummified and very, very small.
Mummified Kids
After these two were pulled out, it was discovered that there was a third kid to be removed, but this one had obviously went the full term as it was full grown.
It was also still alive, which was a huge surprise after all the time that had elapsed since entering the birth canal. It had had a terrible struggle. Dr. Lewis removed it with Matthew’s assistance and Tyler took over the kid’s care. Kate decided she had had enough at this point and laid down on us.
dried and warming
Sewing up the uterus
“Hang in there, we’re almost done.”
Stiching muscle
Closing skin
Finishing touches. One tired doe! You can see the kid under the warming light in the corner.
“Take me to the recovery room…NOW!!!”
Here’s Latte today, healthy as can be! Kate is well too.
Allen
June 22, 2008 at 11:21 am
Few people know or care about these little (and not so little) triumphs and tragedies that occur often on a farm. Few understand denying hours of sleep and personal comfort to tend to an animal’s needs. But I believe God honors it when you deny yourself to care for one of His creatures which can never say thank you. Proverbs 12:10
I have never seen a C-section (and hope I never will!), but now I guess I’ll know what to expect.
Glad they (mom and kid) are doing fine.
Taci
June 23, 2008 at 6:38 am
This is an absolutely outstanding post, both the thoughts and the pictures. I had never seen a goat c-section, though we’ve raised them for many years. Very interesting and informative. Thanks.
Judy
June 24, 2008 at 9:55 pm
Tacy,
I agree wholeheartedly. Those who do understand are certainly kindred. Those that do not, will simply stare at you as if you’ve lost your mind!
It’s interesting how getting up in the middle of the night to check on your animals is not as hard as people believe it to be, and how much you can enjoy the gentle mood in the barn at 3:00 AM as the animals acknowledge you with a quiet greeting as if knowing others are sleeping and take care not to wake them. They seem to understand your caring. Janis was up in the middle of the night, last night just checking on the goat kids, dogs,turkeys and new pullets…and enjoying the quiet night air. Nothing wrong or pressing, just checking on things! Perhaps it is these moments that God is actually rewarding us with. It’s a good time to pray – under His canopy of stars that He has provided!
Judy,
Thanks for the encouragement. I was actually a little hesitant to post any of this because of the pictures, not knowing how some folks might take them. But these things are what life is made of on a farm. If it repulses a person, then I would say they do not have what it takes to be a farmer/husbandman. We who have animals are not misled by idyllic pictures that paint only scenes of beauty and perpetually green pastures. However, we certainly relish those moments when they come as well.
June 26, 2008 at 6:31 am
Well, when I saw the disclaimers at the top, I was hesitant to look further, but when I did it was not as bad as I expected. It was actually rather nifty to see what could be done. Too bad about the dead ones, but at least mother and one baby are doing well! Praise the Lord! Thanks for these kinds of posts. :-D
June 29, 2008 at 12:30 pm
Very thought-provoking, on the spiritual side, and very interesting, on the practical farming side! We have goats, but haven’t had a C-section (yet), but my seven year-old son who was born via C-section seemed deep in thought as we read the captions on the photos…
And yes, getting up in the middle of the night, going from sleeping horizontally to fully awake, vertical, and grabbing for a flashlight when I hear a distressed cry (predators? other trouble?) from the barn or chicken coop a couple hundred feet from my bedroom does make you think about our Good Shepherd, and how He MUST hear our every sigh and cry for help…)
June 30, 2008 at 8:25 pm
Thanks for sharing this story. I am thankful we’ve not needed a c-section, but this year we did lose one kid. We also learned about milk fever, and how quickly it comes — and goes, with an IV. I was amazed that Jim and the boys could read about what to do, and then do what was necessary. We did lose a cat recently; by the time we found her, she was too far gone and we had to put her down. I suspect she was unable to deliver her kittens. It was one of those things that happen with farm life.
August 9, 2008 at 6:44 am
I know this comment is quite late, but I thought it might be of help in the future.
I’d noticed that my cows were having some mineral deficiency, and I was looking through my books trying to figure out what it might be, so I could correct it (there is a cause behind every animal ailment, nothing just happens). I came across something that might explain why Kate had to have a c-section. She was probably in great need of potassium. Difficult births are usually the result of a potassium deficiency. The kid just can’t be delivered because mama can’t dilate. I don’t know what you are feeding or what Idaho land is like, but hay that has been chemically fertilized will be seriously low in all minerals. Also, potassium uptake is inhibited by land that is too acidic or high in iron. The best way to supply potassium is through raw apple cider vinegar, especially close to birthing. There is a book I would highly
recommend, we have it too- Natural Goat Care- by Pat Coleby. It is a available on http://www.amazon.com. All of Pat Coleby’s book are very good. Her coverage of minerals and their effects is excellent.
August 9, 2008 at 9:18 pm
Thanks for the advice Tacy! I have wondered about mineral deficiencies with some of the problems we’ve experienced with our goats, and this was one of them. We have been supplementing our dairy goats with a powdered mineral mix and baking soda for for some time, but a week or two before kidding the minerals ran out and we didn’t have a replacement box ready because of a mix-up in our order. I’m not sure if it has potassium in it or not but I will be sure to check. If you’re correct that vinegar would have been an easy fix!
I wouldn’t be surprised if our hay is mineral, (our just plain nutrient), deficient. It’s not that we’ve used any chemical fertilizers, but that we have not done a good job adding nutrients or fertilizer any other way, so it has been left mostly to itself … and for a long time. We do a lot of composting and the like but we only have enough on-farm “supplies” to take care of our three gardens and so the field has suffered our neglect. It is really time we focussed on revitalizing our hay supply!
The one thing that puzzles me in this respect is that the only goats we supplement are our dairy goats. Thus the Boar goats only get hay and yet they seem to be almost problem free. The difference is so dramatic that I have sometimes wondered if it could have something to do with genetics. We got our dairy goats from Texas, where they had originally been bred for show and we have speculated that in trying for the perfect conformation the breeders neglected some of the other important traits. Not that we know what we are talking about! Still, we have over four times the amount of boar goats over alpines and although they get the same hay and live next door they seem to miss all the problems. I guess that just shows that we still have much to learn.
Also, I have considered ordering the book you mentioned and am glad to hear it is likely to be a good choice. For years we have been heavily focused on natural methods when it comes to our own care but have been woefully slow to make that transition for our animals. There is much I need to learn in this area and am convinced I need to do just that. Still exploring new territory can be a little intimidating, especially in the midst of crisis.
We are happy to hear you all survived the resent storm and that none of you animals were hurt. It sounds like it was really bad, I can’t even imagine what something like that would be like. Just the rain from that one storm is almost half of what we get in an entire year! I hope everything recovers well, you are all in our prayers.
August 10, 2008 at 4:31 pm
Tyler,
Here’s something I’ve observed that may be the reason that your Boers do alright and your dairy goats struggle.
When a cow or goat is lactating she uses a lot more minerals and nutrients than an animal that is not producing a quantity of milk. Our cows have to have the best possible hay each winter, but our sheep and steer thrive on hay that our milk cows won’t touch (oh, Jersey cows are SO picky- but they have to be).
Even with excellent hay we still have to feed some grain (organic oats and corn) to the cows if they are lactating in the winter months.
Keeping our animals in good health is a challenge. There is so much I still have to learn in that regard! For us, though, it is critical that our cows are in the best of health because we (and all our dogs and cats) nearly live off of their milk right now.
Thanks for all your prayers. Gee, I can’t imagine what it is like to only get a couple inches of rain in a year! Your poor grass :) !
August 13, 2008 at 10:05 am
That could very well be the case since the milk does produce probably four time the milk. We also have to supplement with a little grain while our goats are lactating.
Your comment on the Jersey cows sounds familiar. If there’s too much grass in with the alfalfa the milk goats simply turn their noses up at it and decide the’re not that hungry after all. As browsers they do like the weeds though. On the other hand the meat goats eats it all like honey.
Well, there I went and stuck my foot in my mouth. Just this morning when I went out to feed and milk one of our boar does is not doing well, and we haven’t yet figured out why. There’s nothing like health problems to get one’s thinker working hard.
Thanks, and all the best!
May 11, 2009 at 1:15 pm
Where does one get dolomite for Pat Coleby’s mineral mix? I’m going nuts trying to find any.
May 12, 2009 at 10:10 am
Kate,
I order my dolomite from Gary of Goat World and the Jolly German. You can find them at http://www.jollygerman.com/products/goats/
You can order everything you need for Coleby’s mix from him as well, but I only order the dolomite and sulfur because he is a bit expensive, especially on the kelp. I order Thorvin Organic Kelp meal from Wolf Creek Ranch. They have excellent quality products, and great info. You can find them at http://wolfcreekranch1.tripod.com/index.html
Minerals have made a huge difference in my goats, (both milk and meat), and I am totally convinced of their merit. I think Pat Coleby’s management advice is absolutely great but I have had to adjust it a little for my personal situation.
Hope this helps, and if you have any more questions feel free to ask!
All the best,
Tyler