Preparing For Kidding

Submitted by:  Dr. Lou Nuti, Prairie View A&M University

 

Prior to kidding, provide does with a clean, dry, well-ventilated shelter and try to be around in case animals should require assistance. Hay, straw or pine shavings can be used for bedding if desired. Some of the signs that parturition, or kidding, is approaching include hollowness on either side of the doe's tail, the doe isolating herself from the rest of the herd and an enlarged udder that begins to fill with milk. These events will begin to appear one to six weeks prior to kidding.

 

At two weeks prior to kidding, the muscles of the ligaments on both sides of the doe will begin to soften and relax. During the last three to four days before labor, the udder will appear quite large. Does that kid for the first time may not show this development until two weeks or more after kidding. One to two days before labor, the does will begin to show signs of nervousness, pawing at the ground, acting restless and lying down. The doe will also expel a thin mucous discharge from the vulva, which will gradually become thicker as parturition approaches. The last 12 hours of labor consist of continuous bleating sounds by the doe. The tail may be straight out or slightly elevated. The first several vertebrae of the spine in front of the tail head may appear to stand higher and taller than usual.

 

A normal delivery usually takes five hours. Cervix dilation usually requires four hours, and then one hour is required for the delivery of the offspring. For normal delivery the kid should be right side up with the front feet first and the head lying between the knees and pasterns. After the water sac breaks, the doe should start to give birth within 30 minutes to one hour. If the doe or has not progress within the hour, it may be necessary to contact a veterinarian for further assistance.

If the doe has kidded, make sure she has shed her placenta and contact the veterinarian if the placenta has not detached after 12 to 18 hours. Try letting the cord break naturally, and if the sac is not broken, try breaking it for the doe. If the kid appears lifeless, swing it back and forth by its hind legs. Place a straw up the nose which will trigger a sneezing reaction and help clear the airways. Give the kid short hits with the fingers in the middle of the heart until it cries.

 

Difficult Births (Dystocia)

Normal presentation of the kid is 2 front legs and nose backwards. If there is any variation in the presentation of the kid, then the delivery will not be normal.  Abnormal presentations include a kid position that is fully breached, with the buttocks or back feet appearing first. Another abnormal position may include the head presenting itself, with one foot visible, and the doe straining unproductively.  A person assisting the doe should trim his nails, remove jewelry, don latex gloves or thoroughly wash his hands.  Remember, you can do more harm than good if you pull before the doe is ready or pull in the wrong manner.

 

Neonatal Care

After birth, clean the mucous away from the nose, mouth and throat, weigh the kid, tag the ear and dip the navel cord in 7-percent iodine to prevent navel joint disease. Make sure the kids receives its mother’s first milk within the first 24 hours after birth. The first milk is rich in colostrum, which contains lots of antibodies which helps the kid fight diseases. The sooner the kid nurses, the more antibodies the animal can absorb. After three days the kid’s ability to absorb antibodies is minimal. In the case of orphans, try bottle feeding them will milk replacement that has colostrum in it or provide the orphan with milk from another doe who has also just given birth. Efforts can also be made to force a doe that has given birth to a single kid to adopt the orphan. (or grafting on a kid)

 

The adoption process between animals may not be as easy as it seems. First, try isolating the adopting parent in a small pen with the orphan. Hold or securely tie the animal to a post and allow the kid to nurse the doe for several times during the day. Hopefully, after seven to 10 days, the doe will think the kid is hers and

decide to keep it as her own. If this process does not work, stick with bottle feeding. If there are several orphans, a lamb feeder can service up to 10 orphan kids at one time.

Causes of Infectious Abortions in Goats 

Goat herds generally have a 2 to 5 percent abortion rate. Any percentage above this is a serious problem because abortions can lead to economic losses. Indeed, infectious abortion in a doe herd can be a public health concern because infectious agents that cause abortions in goats can also infect and cause diseases in humans.  Infectious abortions should be taken seriously by the producer and herd manager.  The most common microorganisms that cause abortions in goats are:  Chlamydiosis, Query or Queensland (Q) fever, Listeriosis, Leptospirosis, Toxoplasmosis, and Brucellosis.  These infectious agents are associated with abortion outbreaks that range from 25 to 30 percent in a season.  “This year, East Texas has confirmed cases of Chlamydiosis infection resulting in losses.  Please take note of the simple detection and prevention methods.  Information on the other abortion causing infections may be requested from the Cherokee County Extension Office.     

Chlamydiosis (Chlamydia, Enzootic Abortion)

Chlamydiosis, commonly known as chlamydia, is the most frequent cause of abortion in goats in North America. It is associated with pneumonia, pink eye, inflammation of epididymis (a part of the buck's reproductive system), and inflammation of the joints. It can be transmitted to does through the direct contact of feces from infected pigeons and sparrows. Chlamydia can be also transmitted to goats by ticks or other bloodsucking insects.  Chlamydia multiplies in the blood and is located in the reproductive organs of the doe. In pregnant does, this microorganism can be found in the fetus and placenta, leading to an inflammation of the placenta that prevents normal transfer of nutrients from the doe to the fetus. It can also lead to miscarriage or abortion.  Abortions can occur any time between days 100 and 130 of gestation. Does may show no symptoms other than a bloody vaginal discharge two to three days prior to aborting. During the first three weeks after abortion has occurred, the doe will have uterine discharge containing chlamydia. If chlamydia is not diagnosed and treated, the infection will persist and the infected doe may abort again during the next pregnancy.  Diagnosis A diagnosis of chlamydiosis is based on the history of the herd, clinical signs, and characteristics of the placenta. When chlamydiosis is suspected, aborted fetuses and fresh placenta should be packed in ice, marked with correct identification of the doe, and sent to a lab for positive diagnosis. Up to three days after abortion, a vaginal swab should be taken by a veterinarian and sent to a diagnostic laboratory for isolation of the microorganism.  Treatment and Prevention of infected does should be treated with tetracycline, oxytetracycline, and chlortetracycline.  The injection of 20 mg/kg of oxytetracycline given by intramuscular route at 105 and 120 days of pregnancy can prevent abortion but cannot prevent chlamydial shedding at kidding. Tetracyclines affect the replication of chlamydia and can be effective in preventing abortions.  Chlamydia psittaci are susceptible to chlortetracycline. In an infected herd, abortion can be prevented by administrating 80 mg/head/day during pregnancy. In an outbreak, 250 mg/head/day for 3 weeks has been recommended and appears to be effective. 

What to do when abortion occurs:

·   Never ignore abortions in a goat herd.  Conduct a thorough investigation immediately.

• Isolate the animal from the herd and keep it in a quarantine pen for further examination.
• Consider many different causes of abortion.
• Inform your veterinarian if you suspect infectious abortion in a goat herd; the veterinarian will refer you to a nearby diagnostic center.
• Consult the diagnostic laboratory prior to submitting your sample. The diagnostic center should be aware of the infectious agent most likely to be present in the area. Note: Diseased tissue requires proper handling.
• To facilitate the diagnosis, keep detailed records and accurately identify each aborting animal and the stage of pregnancy at which the animal aborted.
• Refrigerate (avoid freezing) any fetus and placenta of an aborted kid to send to the diagnostic laboratory.
• Work with the local veterinarian to draw blood and to send serum samples from aborting does to the diagnostic laboratory for immunological tests.
• Consult your local veterinarian when you suspect infectious abortion in your herd. This might constitute a public health issue. Your veterinarian can guide you on the treatment and prevention procedure.
• Ask for performance and health records before purchasing new animals.
• Quarantine any new animals before introducing them into your existing herd. • Be aware that certain classes of dewormers administered to pregnant does can cause insidious abortion or stillbirths, which can be mistaken as abortions caused by infectious agents.
• Be aware that certain poisonous plants can cause abortions in does. Identify plants in your area that can cause abortion and try to eliminate them from the pasture.
• People who assist does at kidding or collect placental or fetal waste for disposal or diagnostic evaluations should be aware of the danger of infection and are advised to wear plastic gloves. The gloves should be burned to prevent environment contamination.  Quaternary ammonium compounds are satisfactory disinfectants.