Caprine Outing September 18, 2010 Coping with Kidding Mary C. Smith DVM Caprine Outing September 18, 2010

Topics to be covered Breeding Pregnancy diagnosis Some problems during pregnancy Vaccination and nutrition programs Normal parturition Dystocia Care of the kid, including colostrum Reviving weak kids Floppy kid disease Record 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)

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

Pregnancy toxemia late pregnant goats carrying multiple kids twin lamb disease

fat mobilization fatty liver inadequate feed offered anorexia from other disease fat mobilization fatty liver 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)

omentum has been removed rumen uterus uterus

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 full Vulva relaxed Slight mucus Ligaments around base of tail gone

Assisting parturition wash vulva sterile glove lubricant (Dawn) Be clean, be gentle, and use lots of lube

The glove protects you and the doe from infection

Meconium stained = 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