Caprine Classics Dairy Goats

Pregnancy Toxemia

Pregnancy Toxemia in Goats

Pregnancy Toxemia, also known as Pregnancy Disease or Pregnancy Ketosis, is a condition that occasionally affects does in the last four weeks of gestation. This condition entails a high rate of mortality for both the dam and the unborn kids. Even if the doe survives, dystocia (difficult labor) and Lactational Ketosis may ensue.

Pregnancy Toxemia is a metabolic disorder in which the blood glucose levels drop to alarmingly low percentages. According to the Goat Handbook, United States 1992, “Toxemia occurs when blood sugar levels drop to about 18 mg per 100 mls of blood.” At that point, adipose tissue must be metabolized in order to produce glucose. Toxic ketones, a by-product of that process, are then released into the doe’s bloodstream, thus causing Pregnancy Toxemia.

There are many factors which may pre-dispose a doe to Toxemia, but the majority of them can be avoided by good management. Risk factors include stresses such as hauling during late pregnancy, abrupt changes in feed, severe weather, confinement, chronic diseases (e.g. CAE, CL, Johnes, etc), and high parasite loads. Other factors such as multiple kids, poor quality feed, poor body condition (obese animals are the most susceptible, but severely underweight does can also be subjected), genetic pre-disposition, and lack of exercise are involved as well.

The most important thing you can do to treat your doe is to catch the clinical signs while still in the early stages of toxemia. Clinical symptoms include: sweet “fruity” smell to the breath and urine, sluggishness, lost appetite, unsteady gait, weakness, stiffness, swollen legs, grinding of teeth, twitching, head-pressing, and depression. As the disease progresses, toxic ketones are spread throughout the body and the blood glucose levels drop even further. This leads to the advanced symptoms of Pregnancy Toxemia, which include: blindness, “stargazing”, convulsions or tremors, hypersensitivity, recumbancy, excessive salivating and nasal secretions, ataxia, aimless walking if still mobile, and ultimately comatose and death. If the fetuses die, they will release toxins into the dam. The resulting endotoxic shock is fatal to the doe.

Watch for increased sluggishness in your pregnant does. If one refuses to eat or exercise, take action immediately! Treatment for Pregnancy Toxemia will not hurt a doe that is not affected, and it can mean the difference between life and death for a doe that is. Force exercise. Offer tasty, high-energy feeds. Corn, fresh alfalfa, and soybean products are good choices. Make sure the doe is well-hydrated, as plenty of liquids are necessary to flush the toxins from her system. Offering hot water with molasses mixed into it will usually tempt a doe that refuses cold, plain water. However, be careful about hydrating a doe with processed electrolyte solutions – they are often high in sodium. Instead, you can drench her with a mixture of molasses, karyo syrup, and corn oil. A B-vitamin complex injection (including niacin) is highly recommended at this stage.

If the doe is already becoming lethargic, more intense treatment is necessitated. First of all, you must hydrate the doe and raise her blood glucose levels. IV glucose (5%-10% solution) is recommended. 25 to 50 grams is the standard dosage. A 50% IV dextrose solution may be substituted at a rate of 100 to 250 mls. Some breeders use propylene glycol, but keep in mind that it inhibits rumen bacteria and also suppresses appetites. Additionally, a propylene glycol overdose would be fatal to the animal.

In an affected doe, if you are within 5 days of the due date, labor can be induced by administration of 20-25 mg of dexamethasone. The doe should kid within 48 hours after the injection. Dexamethasone will not only stimulate uterine contractions, but will also prepare the kid’s lungs for early entry into the world. A cesarean section can be performed on a particularly valuable doe; however, such measures entail a high mortality rate for the kids.

You must watch your doe very closely until she has completely recovered or has kidded. With prompt and proper treatment, she should fully recover with no permanent complications.

References:

Books:

Goat Medicine. Second edition, Wiley-Blackwell Publishing

Authors Mary Smith, DVM and David Sherman, DVM.

Management and Diseases of Dairy Goats. Dairy Goat Journal Publishing

Author Samuel Guss, DVM.

Sheep and Goat Medicine. First edition. Saunders.

Editor David G. Pugh, DVM, MS

The Merck Veterinary Manual. Ninth Edition. Merck and Co, Inc.

Printed Articles:

Veterinarian’s Verdict, MDGS Goat News, January/February 2010. Author Lee Ann Berglund-Fosdick, DVM, PhD

Websites: