Veterinary Review Initiative
This resource has been reviewed for accuracy and clarity by a qualified Doctor of Veterinary Medicine with farmed animalA species or specific breed of animal that is raised by humans for the use of their bodies or what comes from their bodies. sanctuary experience as of September 2024.

Check out more information on our Veterinary Review Initiative here!

Farmed animal sanctuariesAnimal sanctuaries that primarily care for rescued animals that were farmed by humans. should not allow their residents to breed, and so even long-time caregivers may not have much experience caring for pregnant or lactating sheep or goats. While sanctuary residents shouldn’t become pregnant, it’s not uncommon for a sanctuary to take in pregnant individuals, mothers who are nursing their baby/babies, or even lactating females who were recently exploited for their milk in agricultural settings. Like humans, a small ruminant’s needs change during pregnancy and lactation. Therefore, it’s imperative that caregivers learn more about the care small ruminants require during this time so they can meet those needs. This three-part series will discuss the care of small ruminants during pregnancy, labor and delivery, and lactation. In this resource, we’ll focus on pregnancy and will discuss important care considerations for pregnant sheep and goats. 

Veterinary Assessment And Pregnancy Confirmation

As part of your sanctuary’s sheep and goat intake protocols, all females who are sexually mature should be evaluated for pregnancy. The two most reliable ways to do this are through blood tests that detect pregnancy-associated glycoproteins (PAG) and ultrasonography. One recurring challenge for sanctuaries caring for pregnant individuals is that many recommendations, including those pertaining to pregnancy confirmation, are based on how far along the individual is in their pregnancy. Whereas farmers typically intentionally breed (or artificially inseminate) small ruminants and therefore know approximately if and when an individual may have become pregnant, sanctuaries rarely know this information. To account for these unknowns, your veterinarian may recommend repeating certain diagnostics for more accurate results.

We recommend talking to your veterinarian about the specific diagnostics they recommend and the services they can provide, but below we’ll talk more generally about the different options. Please keep in mind that what your veterinarian recommends may vary from case to case. For example, in some situations they may recommend first testing for the presence of pregnancy-associated glycoproteins, whereas other times they may move straight to performing a transabdominal ultrasound.

Pregnancy-Associated Glycoprotein Blood Tests

These tests are commercially available (e.g., BioPRYN and IDEXX assays) but you may have to submit samples to a reference laboratory. There are also tests available that can be conducted on-site for more immediate results. If you or someone else on your caregiving team is collecting the blood sample, submitting the sample to a reference lab, or conducting an on-site test (versus your veterinarian doing the sample collection and testing or submission), be sure to follow the manufacturer’s (and reference lab’s) instructions to ensure accurate results. Each test will have specific guidance regarding how early in the pregnancy the test should be used, and testing before this time could result in a false negative. If, for example, you are using a test that instructs you to test at least 28 days after breeding and you test a new resident within the first week of their arrival, you will need to account for the fact that they could have become pregnant any time leading up to their rescue (and that they have not yet reached 28 days post-breeding). Therefore, your veterinarian may recommend repeating the test 28 days after their rescue.  

In addition to false negatives from conducting the test too early, false positives are possible if the test is conducted too close to when the individual gave birth. False positives can also occur if they recently suffered a miscarriage. While tests that detect pregnancy-associated glycoproteins can be very useful, they typically do not give you as much information as an ultrasound. Therefore, when possible, it’s a good idea to ask your veterinarian to perform a transabdominal ultrasound, especially if the blood test results are inconclusive.

Transabdominal Ultrasound

Ultrasonography can be used for pregnancy determination and, depending on your veterinarian’s equipment and experience (and when the ultrasound is performed), can also be used to gather other important information such as how many babies the individual is carrying and approximately how far along in the pregnancy she is, both of which are helpful bits of information when making care decisions. Through ultrasonography, your veterinarian may also be able to detect issues with the uterus or fetus. 

As with blood testing, the ideal timeframe to conduct an ultrasound is based on when the individual is suspected to have become pregnant, which sanctuaries rarely know. Scanning too early could lead to inaccurate results, and scanning after approximately 70 gestational days makes it difficult to gather additional information such as the number of babies or fetal age. Your veterinarian can make specific recommendations about when to perform an ultrasound for pregnancy detection based on the specifics of the case.

Deciding How To Proceed If An Individual Is In Early Pregnancy
If an incoming resident is determined to be in the very early stages of pregnancy, or if your veterinarian cannot rule out the possibility that they may be in the early stages of pregnancy (versus not being pregnant), some sanctuaries choose to administer Lutalyse (or a similar product) to induce miscarriage, under the guidance of their veterinarian, rather than proceed with the pregnancy. This decision ultimately depends on an individual sanctuary’s Philosophy of Care. Be aware that Lutalyse and similar products are less effective in sheep than in goats, so if you consider this practice, we suggest having a conversation with a veterinary theriogenologist experienced with sheep to determine the best protocol.

Challenges To Be Aware Of When Caring For Pregnant Sheep And Goats

In addition to sanctuary caregivers potentially having less experience caring for pregnant small ruminants, there are other challenges to be aware of when caring for these individuals. First, as mentioned above, when a sanctuary welcomes a sexually mature female sheep or goat, they don’t necessarily know if she is pregnant or not, and even after pregnancy is confirmed, they still may not have a good sense of when she became pregnant. Many care decisions are based on the individual’s stage of pregnancy, which is often a rough guesstimate for new sanctuary residents. 

In addition to not knowing when she became pregnant, sanctuaries do not necessarily know who she mated with. In some cases, they may have a good guess of who the father could be, but other times they may have no clue at all. When larger males breed with smaller females, mothers may end up carrying babies that are too big for them to deliver. If you know there is a concerning size difference between the mother and father, you can plan accordingly. This may entail arranging for her to deliver in the hospital, where she can undergo a cesarean (“C-section”) if needed, or being prepared to rush her to the hospital if she is showing signs of dystocia (difficult birth). Without knowing the breed of the father, it’s difficult to formulate a specific plan in advance. Particularly when caring for smaller breeds (e.g., Pygmy or Nigerian dwarf goats), it’s important to consider the possibility that they may have mated with a much larger male. We recommend working with your veterinarian to establish a plan so you know how to proceed if they show signs of dystocia. This way you don’t have to waste precious time coming up with a plan in the moment.

Another challenge for sanctuaries is that they often take in individuals who have not received proper care, which can obviously have a negative impact on the individual regardless of whether they are pregnant or not. However, for pregnant individuals and their babies, improper care can have even more devastating consequences (some of which will be discussed throughout this series). While caregivers can and should work hard to ensure they are meeting the current needs of the individual, in some situations, the damage done may be difficult to overcome. To ensure they receive the best care possible, be sure to work closely with your veterinarian to have pregnant individuals regularly evaluated and discuss increased risks they may face due to their previous situation (i.e., lack of care or inappropriate care). This resource provides general guidance when caring for pregnant small ruminants, but your veterinarian can help you create an individualized care plan for your resident. 

Caring For Pregnant Sheep And Goats

The gestation period of small ruminants can vary depending on the individual’s species, breed, and other factors, but is approximately 5 months. While proper care throughout pregnancy is important, their care needs change significantly in late gestation (the last 4-6 weeks of pregnancy), especially in terms of their nutritional needs. 

Proper Nutrition For Pregnant Sheep And Goats

During the first part of pregnancy, a small ruminant’s nutritional needs do not change significantly from what they needed before becoming pregnant. However, if their diet is lacking in energy, protein, or certain minerals, placental development may be affected, which could lead to poor fetal growth and a lower survival rate for the baby/babies. During early and middle gestation, most sheep and goats can be fed a forage-based diet consisting of high-quality grass hay or pasture (and browse for goats) and free-choice minerals. However, if you haven’t already, we strongly recommend that you have your forages tested so that your veterinarian can identify any potential issues and make appropriate recommendations (such as switching to a different free-choice mineral mix, feeding higher-quality hay, providing certain supplements, and/or incorporating concentrates into their diet). Be sure to consult with your veterinarian about what is most appropriate – do not just start them on supplements or concentrates without confirming that the individual needs them (and determining how much they need)! Not only can this result in toxicity (depending on what you are supplementing with), but adding concentrates to their diet when they don’t need them can cause unhealthy weight gain, which can cause complications later on (we’ll discuss this more below).

While proper nutrition is always important, it becomes critical during late gestation (which, again, is the last 4-6 weeks of pregnancy). This is the time when approximately 70% of fetal growth and most mammary growth occurs. Unsurprisingly, individuals require extra nutrition to support all this growth! Their energy requirements increase significantly during this time, and this is the nutrient they are most likely to be deficient in. Rumen capacity is also decreasing during this time as the babies grow and the uterus takes up more space. This makes it difficult (and sometimes impossible) for a pregnant individual to consume the amount of forages necessary to meet their nutritional needs, especially if she is carrying more than one baby. Individuals in late gestation need a more nutrient-dense diet, which is typically accomplished by feeding a concentrate formulated for pregnant small ruminants. In many cases, this may be the only way to meet their energy needs. 

Exactly how much concentrates an individual needs will depend on various factors including how many babies she is carrying and the quality of the forages she has access to, but the general recommendation is to start with about ½-1 pound of appropriate concentrates plus free-choice access to high-quality forages. Knowing how to assess body condition can really come in handy when caring for pregnant residents and will make it easier to monitor how they are doing on their current diet. You can then make gradual changes to the amount of concentrates they are being fed if it seems like they need more or less food. Remember, the above are general guidelines – always consult with your veterinarian for more specific recommendations for the unique individuals in your care. Providing inadequate nutrition can result in issues such as pregnancy toxemia (discussed more below), the birth of small and weak babies, reduced colostrum quality, and insufficient milk production. Overfeeding can also cause issues, including pregnancy toxemia and dystocia, so be sure to work with your veterinarian to figure out what’s best!

It’s not just about meeting a pregnant individual’s energy needs. Other key nutrients during late gestation are protein, calcium, selenium, and vitamin E. Complete concentrates formulated for pregnant small ruminants will provide additional protein and calcium, but your veterinarian may also recommend switching from grass hay to one mixed with alfalfa, which will contain more protein and calcium. Be aware that you can feed too much calcium during this time – straight alfalfa hay will have more calcium than a pregnant sheep or goat needs and is best saved for mothers who are nursing their babies. While their free-choice minerals may provide sufficient selenium, if you are in an area with selenium-deficient soil, additional supplementation may be necessary. Low selenium is associated with retained placenta, and selenium and/or vitamin E deficiency in the mother has also been associated with white muscle disease in lambs and kids. Your veterinarian can perform a blood test to check selenium and vitamin E levels to determine if additional supplementation is necessary or not.

Diet Is Not One-Size-Fits-All
It’s important to remember that there is no set diet for pregnant sheep and goats. Even if you’ve had success before with a certain diet, that does not mean it will work well the next time around. Not only do the specific needs of the individual vary (as described previously), but forage quality also changes both year-to-year and throughout the season. Therefore, it’s imperative that you closely observe each individual and be prepared to make changes as needed (working with your veterinarian to determine what changes are most appropriate).

Living Spaces For Pregnant Sheep And Goats

If the individual is living in a larger group or is living with a male resident, you’ll want to separate them before they enter their last month of pregnancy (which will often be an estimate). If they’re living in a smaller group of docile females, separating them may not be necessary, but it depends on the individuals involved. If separating them from their companions causes them distress, housing them with one or two calm female companions may be a good compromise – males have the potential to be too rough, so it’s safest to keep them separated from females in late pregnancy. Keeping pregnant residents isolated or in a smaller group can allow for closer observation and will also make it easier to provide them with the diet they need without increasing nutrition for individuals who don’t need it (which could cause issues). It also reduces the chances of someone injuring the baby if they are born unexpectedly and without supervision.

The living spaceThe indoor or outdoor area where an animal resident lives, eats, and rests. needs of pregnant sheep and goats do not differ significantly from non-pregnant small ruminants, but if the living space they’re in is also where they will give birth, keep in mind that you’ll need to be able to keep the space draft-free for the baby while still allowing for good ventilation. If you typically use wood shavings for bedding, switching to straw may be wise because wood shavings will stick to a wet newborn and will be more difficult to remove than straw. While pregnant females can have access to the outdoors, you want to avoid spaces that may have heavy parasite loads (more on this below) and will need to make sure the fencing will be safe for neonatal lambs and kids who will be able to squeeze through or under fences bigger residents cannot. You also want to avoid vast spaces that make close observation difficult. We’ll talk more about close monitoring later on, but it’s typically a good idea to close pregnant sheep and goats into a safe space overnight once they enter late pregnancy. This way, if the baby is born unexpectedly overnight or in the early morning hours, they will not be vulnerable to the elements or predation. 

Healthcare For Pregnant Sheep And Goats

While pregnant sheep and goats continue to require many of the same types of healthcare that non-pregnant individuals do (e.g. health checks, hoof trimming, etc.), you really want to keep stress to a minimum, especially during the last month leading up to delivery. This doesn’t mean you can forgo important healthcare tasks, but you should try to get these done before she enters her last month of pregnancy. 

In this section, we’ll highlight some of the unique healthcare needs of pregnant sheep and goats.

Vaccinations

Vaccination against Clostridium perfringens types C and D and Clostridium tetani is universally recommended for sheep and goats, but when it comes to pregnant individuals, the timing of this vaccination is crucial. In order to ensure the mother passes protective antibodies to her babies in her colostrum (passive immunity), she needs to be vaccinated approximately one month before giving birth. If she has not been previously vaccinated or has an unknown vaccination status (which is often the case with newly rescued residents), she will require two vaccinations spaced at least two weeks apart, with the second dose given approximately one month before delivery. A baby whose mother is not fully vaccinated or was vaccinated too close to when she delivered will be unprotected from dangerous clostridial diseases such as tetanus and enterotoxemia C and D during the first weeks of their life. Though there is always a very small risk of inducing abortion when vaccinating a pregnant individual, when it comes to vaccination against Clostridium perfringens types C and D and Clostridium tetani, the benefits to lambs and kids outweigh the potential risk.

Shearing Of Woolen Residents

While a full shearing may be unnecessary (and unwise, depending on the weather), you may want to at least partially shear wooly residents before they enter the last month of pregnancy, focusing on their rear end and the area around their udders. This is known as “crutching” and can help keep the mother and babies cleaner and can make it easier for babies to find and latch on to her teats.

Parasite Screening

Sheep and goats experience a temporary reduction in immunity to gastrointestinal parasites (such as barber pole worms and coccidia) during late pregnancy, resulting in increased shedding of gastrointestinal parasite eggs/oocysts. This phenomenon is referred to as the periparturient egg rise (PPER) and can occur about two weeks before delivery and continue for another eight weeks. To avoid a situation where lambs and kids are born into an environment that will expose them to heavy parasite levels, be sure to consult with your veterinarian about parasite screening strategies and follow their guidance regarding dewormingThe act of medicating an animal to reduce or eliminate internal parasites, either prophylactically or in response to illness. treatments. They may recommend feeding a coccidiostat to help reduce shedding of coccidia oocysts and reduce the risk of babies being exposed to high levels of coccidia before they develop immunity.

Monitor For Common Pregnancy-Related Health Issues

Daily observation continues to be important, and you should familiarize yourself with the most common pregnancy-related health issues so you can monitor residents for signs of these diseases. Common pregnancy-related health issues include pregnancy toxemia, parturient paresis, and vaginal prolapsethe falling down or slipping of a body part from its usual position or relations.

Pregnancy Toxemia

Pregnancy toxemia (also known as pregnancy ketosis, pregnancy disease, and twin-lamb/kid disease) is the most common metabolic disorder of pregnant sheep and goats. This condition is most common during the last six weeks of pregnancy. Pregnancy toxemia is caused by inadequate nutrition resulting in a negative energy balance. As we mentioned earlier, a small ruminant’s energy requirements increase significantly during late pregnancy, and at the same time, rumen capacity decreases. While any pregnant sheep or goat can develop pregnancy toxemia, those carrying multiple babies are at an increased risk because they have higher energy needs and even more reduced rumen capacity than those carrying a single baby. This can make it difficult for them to eat enough to meet their nutritional needs.

Other risk factors for pregnancy toxemia include:

• Being fed a diet that does not meet their energy requirements
• Being fed low-quality hay
• Being underweight (which would be a sign their diet is not sufficient)
• Being overweight (which further contributes to decreased rumen capacity)
• Being older
• Stress

Early signs of pregnancy toxemia include a decreased appetite (especially for concentrates), lagging behind herd/flock mates, and spending more time lying down. As the condition progresses, the individual may become lethargic, grind their teeth, and start showing neurologic signs such as muscle tremors and backward arching of the neck (opisthotonos). Neurologic signs then progress to blindness, ataxiaThe presence of abnormal, uncoordinated movements., recumbencyRecumbency is the state of leaning, resting, or reclining., and finally coma and death.

Be sure to contact your veterinarian if one of your residents is showing any of these signs. Early intervention, when they are presenting few or no neurologic signs, is imperative and involves the administration of an energy source (such as propylene glycol, which your veterinarian may recommend keeping on hand when caring for a pregnant resident). In more serious cases, your veterinarian may administer intravenous dextrose. They may also recommend supplementation with calcium, potassium, and vitamin B. The prognosis is poor in advanced cases, but your veterinarian may recommend inducing pregnancy or sending them to the hospital for a cesarean to try to save the mother’s life.

Prevention is key and can be accomplished by providing an appropriate diet to your pregnant residents. Be sure to test your forages and work with your veterinarian to determine the most appropriate diet to meet their energy needs. If pregnant small ruminants are underweight when they arrive at your sanctuary, work with your veterinarian early on to try to get them to a healthier weight. Though less common, if a pregnant individual is overweight when they arrive at your sanctuary, it’s also important to work closely with your veterinarian. While being overweight puts them at risk of complications (including pregnancy toxemia), you don’t want to try to get them to lose weight during late gestation.

Parturient Paresis

Parturient paresis (also known as milk fever or hypocalcemia) is another common metabolic disorder of pregnant sheep and goats and is caused by insufficient calcium intake. Unlike in cowsWhile  "cows" can be defined to refer exclusively to female cattle, at The Open Sanctuary Project we refer to domesticated cattle of all ages and sexes as "cows.", who are typically affected by this condition after giving birth, in sheep and goats, parturient paresis usually occurs in late gestation (when calcium requirements increase). Like pregnancy toxemia, sheep and goats carrying multiple babies are at an increased risk of developing parturient paresis. Stress can be a precursor to this condition.

Clinical signs of parturient paresis can be similar to pregnancy toxemia, and individuals may be affected by both conditions at the same time. In the early stages of hypocalcemia, individuals may have a stiff gaitA specific way of moving and the rhythmic patterns of hooves and legs. Gaits are natural (walking, trotting, galloping) or acquired meaning humans have had a hand in changing their gaits for "sport"., salivate excessively, and show signs of ataxia and constipation. As the condition progresses, they may show signs of bloat and become recumbent. Be sure to contact your veterinarian if you see any of these signs. This condition is fatal if left untreated. 

Early intervention is imperative and involves the administration of calcium. The recommended route of administration (oral, subcutaneous, or intravenous) depends on the severity of clinical signs. Your veterinarian may recommend keeping calcium borogluconate on hand to be administered subcutaneously under their guidance. In advanced cases, slow, intravenous administration of calcium may be necessary, which should only be done by your veterinarian – administering IV calcium too quickly or when it is not needed can result in severe, and potentially fatal, complications.

As with pregnancy toxemia, prevention is key – make sure you are providing pregnant individuals with an adequate amount of calcium in their diet. 

Vaginal Prolapse

Vaginal prolapse, in which part of the vagina is pushed out of the vulva, is more common in sheep than goats and most often occurs during the last 3-4 weeks of pregnancy. Individuals carrying multiple babies are most commonly affected. If you take in an individual who is overweight and/or had their tail docked very short, be aware that they may also be at an increased risk. The diet you provide can also contribute to the development of vaginal prolapse with poor-quality forages and those containing phytoestrogens being thought to play a role.

A female sheep or goat with a vaginal prolapse will appear to have a smooth red mass protruding from their vulva. This can range in size and can be as large as a melon. In some cases, they may have a prolapse intermittently (you may see prolapsed tissue when they are lying down, but it may go back in on its own when they stand up, for example). Be sure to contact your veterinarian if one of your residents has a vaginal prolapse. The tissue will need to be cleaned and reinserted, and your veterinarian may use sutures to prevent recurrence, or they may recommend using a special device to hold it in place (such as a prolapse retainer). They can also prescribe appropriate anti-inflammatories and antibiotics. Be sure to get thorough instructions about the individual’s ongoing care. While sheep and goats can go through labor and delivery while wearing a prolapse retainer, sutures will need to be removed. In some cases, vaginal prolapse can be a precursor to dystocia.

Preparing For Labor And Delivery

To ensure you are as prepared as possible for the individual’s labor and delivery, there are some important things you should do. This includes making sure you have the necessary supplies, working with your veterinarian to make a plan for complications that arise, and closely observing individuals for signs they are nearing labor. Because sanctuaries rarely have a firm idea of an individual’s “due date,” we recommend preparing well in advance to avoid any surprises.

Keep Pregnant And Immunocompromised Folks Safe
Sheep and goats, as well as other animals, can spread diseases in their birth fluids, including diseases that can cause birth complications and abortions in humans. To prevent exposure to these diseases, pregnant and immunocompromised folks should not assist with the lambing or kidding process and should not come into close contact with newborn small ruminants or small ruminants who have just given birth. They also should not come into contact with birth fluids (which may be in dirty bedding or towels used to clean babies). Sanctuary management should make sure all personnel are aware of the risks posed to immunocompromised people and pregnant folks and their unborn baby. To ensure they are taking appropriate precautions, people who are pregnant or immunocompromised should consult with their healthcare provider for specific guidance. When preparing for a small ruminant’s labor and delivery, be sure to keep in mind that these folks (and people who may be pregnant) will need to keep their distance. Depending on the specifics of your team, this may mean needing to make a plan to ensure other personnel are available to work closely with a resident during labor and delivery.

Gather Necessary Supplies And Have Them Ready To Go

Ideally, the mother will have an uncomplicated labor and will deliver her baby/babies without needing any assistance from you (or your veterinarian). Unfortunately, given the fact that sanctuaries are typically caring for pregnant individuals who may not have had their needs met leading up to becoming pregnant and before coming to the sanctuary, you really want to make sure you are prepared for anything. It’s a good idea to have a conversation with your veterinarian about what supplies they recommend you have on hand, but we’ve also created a general list to help get you started.

General Supplies:

• Emergency contact list 
• Handwashing supplies
• Exam gloves
• Needles and syringes
• Thermometer
• Halter

Supplies To Assist With Delivery (if necessary):

• Mild disinfectant
• Obstetrical (OB) gloves
• Obstetrical lubricant
• Obstetrical leg snare and/or lamb/kid “puller” (to assist with difficult births under the guidance of your veterinarian or an experienced caregiverSomeone who provides daily care, specifically for animal residents at an animal sanctuary, shelter, or rescue.)

Supplies For Newborn Care:

• Nasal aspirator
• Lamb/kid aspirator/resuscitator kit
• Naval dip (such as 7% iodine or 2% chlorhexidine)
• Naval clamps (to stop bleeding, if necessary)
• Tissue scissors (to trim the umbilical cord if it is very long)
• Clean towels
• Hairdryer (if needed to help dry off the baby)
• Safe heat source
• Frozen colostrum or colostrum replacer (in case the mother is not producing enough colostrum)
• Tube feeding supplies (in case the baby is unable to suckle – tube feeding should only be done by caregivers who are properly trained)
• Lamb/kid milk replacer (in case the mother is not producing enough milk)
• Bottles and nipples (in case you need to bottle feed)
• Scale
• Lamb/kid blankets or coats

Talk To Your Veterinarian About Treatments And Medications You Should Have On Hand
Depending on your relationship with your veterinarian, your experience level, and other factors, your veterinarian may recommend keeping certain treatments and medication on hand to be used under their guidance. This may allow you to initiate certain treatments at their direction without having to wait for them to come out to the sanctuary. Medications and treatments that they may recommend having on hand, some of which require a prescription, include antibiotics, anti-inflammatory drugs, calcium borogluconate, 50% dextrose, Bo-Se, and oxytocin.

Work With Your Veterinarian To Make A Plan For Difficult Births Or Other Complications

It’s important to familiarize yourself with the normal labor and delivery process so you can recognize complications. It’s also helpful to learn more about the more common complications that can arise. We’ll talk about both of these topics in Part Two of this series. Another important piece is talking with your veterinarian ahead of time to formulate a plan in case complications arise. Knowing the answers to the following questions is helpful:

• If complications arise, what is the best way to reach your vet? Remember, complications could arise outside of their normal business hours. If you can’t get a hold of them, can they recommend someone else to reach out to?
• If veterinary assistance is required, will they be able to come out to the sanctuary, even after hours? If they cannot come out, what are your other options? Can you drive the individual to them?
• If the individual needs to be hospitalized and/or needs interventions your veterinarian cannot perform, where should you take them and how far away is the facility?
• Do they foresee any specific complications or do they think the individual is at a higher risk for certain complications? If so, do they have any recommendations for how to proceed?

Having this information can help you formulate a plan going forward and help ensure you aren’t wasting time during an urgent situation. For example, if you are caring for a pregnant Pygmy goat who may have mated with a larger male (which could result in babies that are too big for her to deliver), and if the nearest facility that can perform a C-section is two hours away, you may decide that it’s wise to have her admitted to the hospital when she starts showing signs that she is approaching labor, rather than waiting to see if complications arise (and potentially having to drive her such a far distance during an emergency). Be sure to talk each case through with your veterinarian to determine the most appropriate plan!

Closely Observe Individuals For Signs They Are Approaching Labor

Close observation is important for all residents, but extra attention needs to be paid to pregnant residents. In addition to observing them for general signs of health and well-being (and watching for signs of concern), you should also observe them for signs they are approaching labor. This is especially important since sanctuaries rarely have a firm estimate of when they are due.

Behavioral signs that are associated with approaching labor include the following:

• Separating from the group (if living with others)
• Acting territorial
• Appearing restless or nervous
• Tail twitching
• Frequent urination
• Reduced appetite
• Pawing at the ground
• Getting up and down repeatedly
• Vocalizing more

Physical signs associated with approaching labor include the following:

• Noticeably full and firm udders
• Swollen vulva
• Vaginal discharge
• Dropped belly
• A sunken appearance on either side of their tail head

Once an individual is showing some of the signs above, it’s important to monitor them very closely! If she is not already in the area you have prepared for her to deliver her baby in, now is the time to calmly move her. You can read more about the labor and delivery process, including complications that may arise in Part Two of this series!

SOURCES:

Pregnant Women Advised To Avoid Animals That Are Giving Birth | North Ireland Department Of Health

Pregnancy Diagnosis In Small Ruminants | Jennifer Roberts, DVMDoctor of Veterinary Medicine, an academic degree awarded to veterinarians in many countries., DACT (Non-Compassionate Source)

Pregnancy Determination in Goats | Merck Veterinary Manual (Non-Compassionate Source)

Application Of Ultrasound Technology In The Reproductive Management Of Small Ruminants | Michigan State University Extension (Non-Compassionate Source)

Getting Ready For Lambing And Kidding | Maryland Small Ruminant Page (Non-Compassionate Source)

Health Care Of Pregnant Ewes And Does | Susan Schoenian, Sheep And Goat Specialist Emeritus (Non-Compassionate Source)

Preparing For Lambing Season | Penn State Extension (Non-Compassionate Source)

Pregnancy In Goats | Merck Veterinary Manual (Non-Compassionate Source)

Sheep And Goat Medicine, Second Edition | D.G. Pugh And A.N. Baird (Non-Compassionate Source)

Vaccinations – Part II | MD Small Ruminant (Non-Compassionate Source) 

Pregnancy Toxemia In Sheep and Goats | Merck Veterinary Manual (Non-Compassionate Source)

Parturient Paresis In Sheep and Goats | Merck Veterinary Manual 

The Periparturient Egg Rise | American Consortium For Small Ruminant Parasite Control (Non-Compassionate Source)

Parturition – Part III | MD Small Ruminant (Non-Compassionate Source)

Non-Compassionate Source?
If a source includes the (Non-Compassionate Source) tag, it means that we do not endorse that particular source’s views about animals, even if some of their insights are valuable from a care perspective. See a more detailed explanation here.