New Baby reindeer to my herd

Come on Belle you are driving your "mum" mad. She obviously thinks the good things in life are worth waiting for

 

Hoping today is the day!

 

I 2nd that, Willow!!whew!!

 

Me three!!!

 

Today was the day but I am devastated to have to share that we lost Belle's calf.

He was mal presented only his head protruding and his front legs right back along his body. I rang vet immediately and while waiting the hour for vet to arrive I tried my upmost to reach in and hook his legs forward. Despite hand in way beyond wrist I could reach nothing but his shoulder and his head wouldn't go back in either the rearrange internally but he was still alive. Vet had the same problem but did eventually manage to get one leg forward and had to pull calf with just one leg forward.
It was touch and go, I felt, for Belle as calf had to be pulled in an abnormal position and I thought she was giving up battle too but she didn't. Vet must have been pulling for 3/4 of an hour too but luckily no internal tears for Belle but calf didn't survive birth.

I have kept her penned with her calf tonight for her to grieve. Belle has been given painkillers, antibiotics (as her uterus was invaded by myself and vet), and oxytocin to try to avoid a prolapse. Tomorrow I will spend time grooming her (if she is in the mood) or just sitting with her - they do grieve for a short time but maybe not as long as we will.

Sorry to share bad news but at least Belle survived today and to me that is the most important thing. x
Edit he was also huge 7kg (15lbs - Herman size)

 

Maybe it was good since he was soo huge. I would think for a first time mum that would be bad for her. At least she survived relatively unscathed.

 

Sorry to hear that Belle has lost her calf. I hope that she is OK and makes a full recovery after the trauma she has been through. My thoughts are with you as well.

 

I am so so so sorry for Belle and you!! Yes, I agree...it is a blessing that Belle survived such a stressful first birth.
My thoughts and prayers are with you.

 

I am sorry Karen I hope Belle will be fine in a short while.

Although losing even one is though, with a 90% survival rate, you are still doing really well.

 

I am sorry for You and Belle to have to go through this terrible birth and then to lose the baby! Just reading the account of what had happened was very, very sad indeed! Thoughts and prayers poor Belle will be ok and you as well Karen!, and the little boy who did not make it!

 

Please mods remove if you think inappropriate.
This was his presentation and still alive and breathing at this point. Front legs should be the first to appear, followed by nose.
While awaiting vet. I had been half way up to my elbows trying to find those front feet to try to deliver him but we all failed but my main worry was losing Belle as it was very traumatic.

 

Oh poor thing

 

I am so very sorry for both you and Belle. It will be hard on her to not have a baby when everyone else does. Poor girl. My heart goes out to you both.

Can reindeer have C-sections? When I was a child, my grandparents had cattle and their big bull and first time heifers made for some very difficult births. Some of the calves were 110-125 lbs which is very large. Vet did some C-section deliveries. I know it is not ideal but it did save both moms and babies.

 

Vet said she was too far along for a c section - I asked

 

So sorry that Belle's calf was lost, Karen. Such a big boy. That is probably why she delayed the birth as long as possible, hoping he could readjust. You and the Vet certainly did all you could. I hope she won't be too traumatized to try again one day..

Thank you for sharing with us what has happened, and for the picture, too. Just seeing how large his head was explains a lot. I hope they will not delete this true picture of life - it is not offensive, only sad. It is just a real part of life.

My heart, too, goes out to you both.


On a more positive note, your herd has grown by a huge 9 beautiful new babies - all healthy and doing exceptionally well!

 

I am very sorry, Karen. Prayers going up for you and Belle for complete recovery of health and spirits. He was just so big and in a difficult mal presentation - so sad.

 

Today has been a struggle for us all, but we humans have to focus on the wonderful babies we have. So I took a few snaps.
(Belle is struggling a bit, both emotionally and physically but I am sure she will recover in a few days. It is surprising how badly they take a traumatic birth when they have no baby to tend.)

 

Love the pictures of the babies. Not sure who it is in the first picture (sorry) but I love those long eyelashes. Take care of yourself and I hope that Belle is soon back to her normal self.

 

Beautiful babies. You have been in prayers today. Blessings, friend.

 

For me it is so very sad to think of Belle grieving the loss. I am so glad I am not there to witness it, Bless you Karen for staying strong when you need too, and I am sure falling apart after the fact! Big hugs to you and your beautiful herd!