Clinical findings, blood chemistry values, and epidemiologic data from dairy goats with pregnancy toxemia

Abstract

Pregnancy toxemia is one of the most common diseases in sheep and goats occurring during the last month of gestation. Clinical signs and blood chemistry findings from 22 clinical cases of pregnancy toxemia in dairy goats are described. All were maintained on a single farm that used an intensive dry-lot production system. Clinical signs observed most consistently were anorexia, ruminal atony, polypnea, drooping ears, a preference for recumbency with reluctance to stand or walk, swelling (subcutaneous edema) of the limbs, inability to stand or walk, and neurological signs. Major blood chemistry results showed decreased potassium, glucose, pH, bicarbonate, base excess, and partial pressure of carbon dioxide (pCO2). The prognosis was very poor in goats with a case fatality rate of 86%, even though a caesarean section was performed or kidding was induced, and medical treatments were administered in an attempt to correct the underlying glucose deficit and metabolic acidosis. The mortality rate was 100% in 11 does with pregnancy toxemia when the blood pH was 7.122 or lower.