Use of reproductive ultrasound for goat herd management

Abstract

Routine reproductive ultrasound examinations in dairy and meat goat herds provide the veterinarian with the ability to view the entire female herd on a routine basis, establish a valid veterinary-client-patient relationship, measure reproductive performance, and plan strategies for the breeding, dry period, transitional period, and kidding management. Diagnosis ofpregnancy, early detection and treatment of hydrometra or other pathologic conditions, fetal enumeration, gestational staging, fetal well-being, and fetal death can all be used to make management decisions and evaluate herd performance.