Field investigation of pregnant does for pregnancy toxaemia

Abstract

Periparturient mortality in goats have a great economic impact on the livelihood of marginal farmer. Pregnancy toxaemia in goats 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. The present study was carried out at Veterinary University Peripheral Hospital, Madhavaram Milk Colony, Chennai – 51, in 52 pregnant does (in their last trimester of gestation) brought with the history of off feed during the years 2016 and 2018. The pregnant does were subjected to blood β-hydroxybutyric acid (BHBA) concentration determination using a handheld portable blood ketone and glucose monitoring system and qualitative urinalysis using urine dip stick. Early reliable indicators for subclinical form of pregnancy toxaemia under field conditions include presence of ketone body in urine and blood β- hydroxybutyric acid concentration (≥ 0.8 mmol/L).