Parturition in Goats

Parturition tends to be uneventful in goats, with the incidence of dystocia < 5% (1). Parturition induction in general should be discouraged in healthy dams. However, its use may be considered to allow for separation of kids from dams before they suckle in herds with control programs for caprine arthritis and encephalitis virus and mycoplasma.

When parturition induction is elected, breeding dates should be well documented, because viability can be compromised if fetuses are delivered before day 144 of pregnancy. Induction with synthetic PGF_2α analogues, such as cloprostenol (75–100 mcg/45 kg body weight, IM, once) or dinoprost tromethamine (5–10 mg, IM, once), usually results in delivery of kids approximately 30–35 hours after injection (2).

If a doe has been in active labor for 30 minutes with no progress, assistance is likely required. Most kids present cranially, in dorsosacral position, with front limbs extended.If kids present caudally, which is more common in twins, triplets, and quadruplets than in singletons, assistance for delivery is more likely to be required.

The most common cause of dystocia is when two or more kids present simultaneously, which requires an experienced practitioner to identify and correct. Other causes of dystocia in does include malposition, fetomaternal mismatch, failure of cervical dilation (ringwomb), vaginal prolapse, uterine torsion, and uterine inertia.

Most dystocias can be corrected by repositioning kids and providing lubrication and traction. However, in more severe cases, fetotomy or cesarean section may be necessary.

When assisting with kidding, extreme care must be taken to prevent uterine tears, which can be diagnosed on palpation of the uterus after the dystocia. Small tears (< 1 cm) can be treated by hastening involution of the uterus with oxytocin administration. Larger tears may require surgical intervention to minimize excessive bleeding and peritonitis.

Systemic antimicrobials, anti-inflammatory drugs, and a clostridial vaccine booster should be administered to does after a prolonged dystocia.

Retained placenta (defined as placenta not passed 12 hours after parturition) is uncommon in goats and is usually associated with calcium or selenium deficiency, the birth of a mummified or rotten fetus, or a difficult delivery.

The retained placenta should never be forced out, which can cause damage to the uterus. Rather, if the placenta cannot be removed by gentle traction, small doses of oxytocin can be given every few hours to promote expulsion.

Does with a retained placenta should also be monitored closely for the development of metritis, which is characterized by fever, anorexia, and the presence of foul-smelling vaginal discharge.

Metritis is a common sequela of dystocia and/or retained placenta (see toxic metritis image), and systemic antimicrobials are warranted upon diagnosis.

Toxic metritis, goat

Image

Postmortem examination of a uterus from a doe that succumbed to toxic metritis after a dystocia. Left: A uterus that became necrotic, likely due to prolonged ischemia when a kid was lodged in the pelvic canal. After the doe delivered the kid, the uterus became colonized with Clostridium perfringens, and the doe became toxic. Right: Total protein concentration decreased to 4 g/L due to the massive inflammatory response within the uterus.

Courtesy of Dr. Jamie Stewart and the Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign.

Trueperella pyogenes and Escherichia coli are common pathogens associated with metritis and can be successfully managed with supportive care, anti-inflammatories, and antibiotics.

Clostridial organisms (Clostridium tetani and Clostridium perfringens) may also colonize the uterus, resulting in a frequently fatal toxemia that requires aggressive supportive care, antimicrobials, and antitoxin therapy.

Less severe causes of metritis may lead to a chronic endometritis and cause infertility if not treated.

Uterine prolapse is uncommon in goats but may occur after dystocia. Treatment is similar to that in other species, with caudal epidural administration, replacement of the uterus, retention suture placement, and supportive care with supplemental calcium administration. Prognosis for recovery and future fertility is good if recognized and treated early.

Upon delivery, kids should be placed in sternal recumbency and given gentle rubs and pats on the thorax to stimulate the phrenic nerve and promote lung expansion."Hanging" newborn kids upside down is an outdated technique that inhibits lung expansion (due to the GI tract placing excessive weight on the diaphragm) and only works to expel allantoic fluid from the kid's stomach (not the lungs).

Placing a piece of straw into the kid's nose can also help promote lung expansion if a kid is struggling to breathe. Intubation and/or supplemental oxygen can also be considered for kids that are struggling to breathe.

In extremely cold weather, newborn kids should be dried (especially the ears) to prevent frostbite. Heat lamps are not necessary if the kids are dry, well fed, and out of a draft.

Kids should have their navels dipped in tincture of iodine to promote drying and prevent infection. Depending on the production system, kids should be allowed to nurse from the dam as soon as possible or be bottle/tube fed colostrum within the first couple of hours after birth.

Angora, Pygmy, and meat kids are typically raised on the dam. Dairy goat kids often are removed at birth, and after receiving colostrum, are fed from a bottle or nipple-pail.