Well I am committed to sharing the California experience on my group. The highs and the lows......... litter number 2 did not go as well as the first. DEGold sow bred to Melvin, I actually thought she was going to be the first litter because she was so big and had started to spread several days ago at least. This morning I walked out to find this sow in labor. Great, but wait, the first thing I noticed was that instead of the posture of her hind legs completely under her, they where splayed out to the side, laying on her huge stomachs, obviously very tired. Encouraged that she was still contracting, I took her out. On examination I was pretty sure, from the feel of her abdomen, the babies where dead. Alas I new the only hope was to get the babies out. Still contracting a little, I did an internal, brief exam and there was a baby in the birth canal. Of course my finger brought on a few better contractions, which was also an encouragement After waiting 5 or 10 minutes in a support position, I didnt feel like things where moving along, literally, very well.. I decided to help motivate her body, I would give her a shot of oxytocin. After about 10 minutes the contractions got stronger and a baby crested at the opening. Nothing was moving it, with gentle pressure and support on her sides. I again went in with my finger, looking for someway to pull the baby out. Nothing! No feet, no head, weird. So I pushed the baby back up, a little more gentle manipulation, got my finger along side the baby to discover it was trying to come out breach and spine first! No wonder she could get it out. Trying not to be too rough, sure wish my wife Lisa was here, she has little fingers and is way better at this then me, a little of this a little of that and I had the baby presenting itself a full breach, hind feet first, hard still but at least possible. With the sows help we got enough of the baby out to pull him the rest of the way. Very big, dead baby. Obviously dead after a dry off by the look in the eyes. Dead baby guinea pigs have a very subtle haze over the eye. This was a 6 ounce baby, red in color. This guy was the stopper! Knowing there are at least three more in there, we have to keep busy. Poor sow, not an easy thing to do. She was contracting less and it had been a good 30 minutes from the first shot, I had to give her one more shot in hopes to give her the last bit of energy and hormones she had . The next baby, started into the birth canal, and a stuck again. This time the baby was coming out head first, the correct way. I used my finger nail to hook the upper teeth and pulled out another 6 ounce baby, also red and also dead. This girl need a little rest. After about ten minutes, no more contractions, no baby in the birth canal and the sow looking exhausted and beat up. I decided at this point only three options, a C-section, but this sow would not survive the surgery in her condition, in my option, to get the dead babies out. Second option was putting the sow down to prevent her from suffering, or option three wait and see for a few hours what mother nature has in store. There is a tiny chance she will pass these dead babies and with after support could survive. I will give her the day to see. Right now she is resting in a corner, puffed up of course, not contracting. I will likely have to put her down this afternoon. This is the real life of a cavy breeder, full of UPS and downs. It is okay to like this post, it only means you are interested or have found it educational. As an experienced cavy breeder I am not sad, just disappointed. On the lighter side Nanny and her three boys are doing great! And several more litters due soon.
Posted on: Wed, 30 Jul 2014 18:09:34 +0000
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