On field diagnostic and prognostic indicators of pregnancy toxaemia in goats

Periparturient mortality in goats have a great economic impact on the livelihood of marginal farmer. Pregnancy toxaemia in small ruminants occur as a result of negative energy balance consequent to enhanced requirement for glucose by the developing foetuses in the last trimester (last 6 to 4 weeks) of gestation. Among the does treated for various medical conditions at Veterinary University Peripheral Hospital, Madhavaram Milk Colony, Chennai – 51 during the period October 2016 – September 2018, 72 does in their last six weeks of gestation carrying twins / triplets and presented with the history of off feed were subjected to determination of blood beta hydroxybutyric acid (BHBA) level by means of a portable blood ketone and glucose monitoring system and qualitative urinalysis using urine dip stick. Does with beta hydroxybutyric acid level > 0.8 mmol/L and < 1.6 mmol/L were classified as sub clinical pregnancy toxaemic group (n = 12) and beta hydroxybutyric acid level > 1.6 mmol/L were classified as clinical pregnancy toxaemic group (n = 12). The control animals were selected from adult Tellicherry does in the age group of 2 to 4 years maintained at Livestock Farm Complex (LFC), Madhavaram Milk Colony, Chennai – 600 051. The pregnancy toxaemic does were resorted to treatment with intravenous glucose therapy (5 per cent Dextrose), parenteral therapy of Vitamin B1, B6 & B12 and oral administration of glycerine @ 25 ml twice daily. All the twelve does of sub clinical pregnancy toxaemic group recovered completely with a cure rate of 100 per cent while in the clinical pregnancy toxaemic group the cure rate was only 33 per cent. On field reliable diagnostic indicators of pregnancy toxaemia include blood βhyroxybutyric acid concentration (≥ 0.8 mmol/L) and presence of ketone body, glucose and protein in urine while hyperglycaemia in advanced pregnancy toxaemic does indicate foetal death.