Coping with Kidding

Caprine OutingSeptember 18,

2010

Mary C. Smith DVM

Topics to be covered

BreedingPregnancy diagnosisSome problems during pregnancyVaccination and nutrition programsNormal parturitionDystociaCare of the kid, including colostrumReviving weak kidsFloppy kid diseaseRecord keeping

Pregnancy diagnosis

• gestation ~150 d goat• progesterone a nonpregnancy test• real time ultrasound best• sector scanner ideal (count

fetuses)• transabdominal, esp right side, esp

45-90 days

False pregnancy of goats

• common in pets, out of season breedings, does intentionally not bred

• serum progesterone elevated• fluid but no caruncles or fetus• undulating walls, snow scene if

ballotte abdomen

False pregnancy of goats

• “cloud burst” if self corrects• sometimes bloody discharge as if

aborted• 5-10 mg dinoprost (Lutalyse®) or

125-250 mcg cloprostenol (Estrumate®)

• repeat in 12 days

Tetanus and Enterotoxemia• the simplest

vaccination program

• two or three doses, then boosters at least once a year

• booster before kidding

Abortion diagnosis and prevention

• suspect infectious cause if >2% abort• diagnostic lab support required – fetus,

placenta, paired serum samples• toxoplasmosis, chlamydiosis, Q fever• listeriosis, Cache Valley virus, stress,

iodine or selenium deficiencies

Goiter !

Normal thyroids <2 g

Abortion math

5 abortions in a flock of 50 bred does = 10% = abortion storm, almost certainly infectious

5 abortions in a flock of 500 bred does = 1% and may be normal losses – not concerned yet, but label and save fetuses and placentas

>2% is cause for concern and testing (2 abortions in a small herd)

Mummified fetuses are common with toxoplasmosis; the twin may be normal

Abortion diagnosis and prevention

• most diseases zoonotic• wear plastic sleeves• isolate aborting doe• destroy fetuses and placentas• cull if chlamydiosis, don’t cross foster• inject long-acting oxytet 3X or feed

chlortetracycline (extralabel – need vet)

Do you call this hay?Provide energy, protein, selenium, vitamin E

Pregnancy toxemia

• late pregnant goats carrying multiple kids

• twin lamb disease

inadequate feed offered

fat mobilization

fatty liver

anorexia from other disease

Pregnancy toxemia or ketosis

A full uterus crowds the rumen while kids demand more nutrients

Obese goat in late pregnancy cannot eat much forage

• fat stored in omentum takes up space

• doe becomes ketotic• even though fat,

needs higher quality forage and some grain

Diagnosis of pregnancy toxemia

• standing or lying apart• depressed, may seem blind or grind

teeth• off feed – small fecal pellets• diarrhea when fetuses die• ketones in urine (be ready to

collect !)• ketones in blood (smell breath)

uterus

uterus rumen

omentum has been removed

Normal parturition

• ligaments soften and disappear – within 12 hours of parturition

• doe waits for quiet period in barn• 30 – 30 – 30 rule• ballotte abdomen for additional kid

if suspect a problem

Kidding is close!

Udder fullVulva relaxedSlight mucusLigaments aroundbase of tail gone

Assisting parturition

• wash vulva• sterile glove• lubricant (Dawn)

The glove protectsyou and the doefrom infection

Meconiumstained = Help now!

Correction of dystocia

• elevate hindquarters or turn dam over• lamb puller• epinephrine 1 cc IM• one front leg and head• one hind leg• cut off head if dead• subcutaneous fetotomy• penicillin, flunixin IV, tetanus

prophylaxis

Caesarian section

• if does not respond rapidly to medical treatment of pregnancy toxemia

• if > 141 days gestation• pretreat with 20 mg dexamethasone

if surgery delayed or kids premature, to develop surfactant in the lungs

• local anesthesia injected in the flank or gas anesthesia

• blindfold, don’t give xylazine