I went to the barn this evening to find our first new kid. He could not be over 30 mins old and mom is still bleeding and discharging. She has consumed all the afterbirth and cleaned him up good but still seems to be contracting. How long can there be between kids without danger to her or kids? Also any suggestions on care of this newborn would be appreciated. Thanks

-- Joel Combs (jwcinpk@yahoo.com), April 24, 2002

Answers

45 minutes -2 hours is the range, but if its been an hour, i would expect no more kids.. look at her, does she look "empty" or is she still huge?

-- Beth Van Stiphout (willosnake@hotmail.com), April 24, 2002.

We just had twins a month ago. They came 10 minutes apart. Make sure you put something on the umbilical cord (we used blue lotion). Our doe looked like she might have another one ..but only two. :) Wash off her tail and around the birth area before it dries. Don't worry about the opening, just the hair and stuff or it will dry on there and takes a while to "wear off". Our doe dripped and oozed for several days after the birth. Make sure the doe lets her baby nurse. We had to hold our doe that gave birth for the first time. She kept trying to butt the little ones away from her. She didn't understand why they kept going towards her back end. (She probably thought , "no, you're not going back in there", lol) They need to nurse asap. Once they started nursing, she was fine and has been an excellent mom. Good luck and have fun! Nothing cuter than kids!!!!

Cindy

-- Cindy (ilovecajun@aol.com), April 24, 2002.

Are you sure it was the after birth ??? She could still be kidding or just having contractions. She will have a discharge for a week or so. Just continue to clean her up daily. If you think there is another little kid inside after a while has passed, you could scrub up and go inside to check. i wouldn't make this a habit as you can cause an infection. Might want to call your vet if you are a first timer here. I have at times went in to check or untangle a couple of kids that were taking a long time to kid and found legs all tangled together !! I usually get worried if a time has passed and the little head is out and you wipe it's face and it's breathing but doesn't seem to be able to be pushed out into the world. Be patient. I think we are often too anxious and don't let mother nature take it's time. If she is in a lot of pain or distress I would give the vet a call. Good Luck !!!

-- Helena (windyacs/@npacc.net), April 25, 2002.

At first I thought you were talking about time between childrens birth. I was going to tell you all mine are just 6 months apart.

-- r.h. in okla. (rhays@sstelco.com), April 25, 2002.