NORMAL
BIRTHING SIGNS
The first stage of labour may last from two to over four hours.
Physical signs may include relaxation of the vulva. Behavioural changes
include signs of obvious discomfort, including rolling and frequently lying
down and getting up, looking at the tail, tail held high, lots of humming,
taking themselves off to a favourite or quiet corner of their field and
frequent visits to the dung pile with little or no defecation. Also may
include sitting on one hip, ears back or back arched. |
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ACTUAL BIRTHING
Uterine contractions increase in frequency to aid birth of the cria and the
dam can be seen straining. The amniotic sac may appear as a small balloon at
the vulva and rupture, or it may have ruptured earlier in which case the
forefeet and nose appear. If only one leg is out a second should appear very
soon. The mother may have a short rest, lie down or walk a bit. Next the
female might stand to push and the head and forelegs will dangle out, the
cria may hang for some minutes without making any progress while it's lungs
drain. The mother, who is usually standing, then pushes out the shoulders,
the largest body part to pass through the birthing canal. The birth is
fairly imminent as the rest of the cria's body slips out and falls to the
ground. The cria is born with a fine clear membrane, which is rubbed off
with the cria's wriggling on the ground.
Minimal interference is recommended following the birth so that the cria and
mother can bond properly. The following should be done as quietly and
quickly as possible: check that the cria is breathing well, that the nose
and mouth are clear. Remove any of the membrane still sticking to cria. If
the weather is cold and the cria shivery, some shivering is normal, dry the
cria with a clean towel . Apply Terramycin antibiotic spray to the navel.
The cria should be standing and walking shakily around one hour following
birth and should be trying to look everywhere on the Mother's body for the
udder. Suckling should occur within two to three hours, keep a careful
watch. If the cria has not taken mum's milk within the first six hours, the
cria should be given colostrum replacer. Some cria put their tail up when
suckling correctly. Milk can sometime also be seen on their lips. Colostrum
replacer can be given by bottle or a more effective result can be achieved
via a stomach tube.
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