Diseases of The Goat

John G. Matthews

• Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell
• Year: 2016
• Print ISBN: 9781119073512
• eBook ISBN: 9781119073536
• Edition: 4
• Topic: Medicine
• Subtopic: Veterinary Medicine

Diseases of the Goat, 4th Edition, is a revised and updated edition of the popular tool for veterinarians featuring of all aspects of goat medicine—from initial assessment and examination to diagnosis, treatment, and control of conditions. This highly practical, concise handbook is designed for frequent reference, and is suitable for all those treating and keeping goats. 

• Provides information on to predators, euthanasia, post-mortem technique, and fracture repair
• Includes expanded coverage of a number of topics to appeal to a wider and more international audience especially in relation to poisonous plants
• Incorporates the impact of new developments in goat diseases, such as the geographical spread of exotic diseases into new regions

Chapter 1
Female infertility

The normal female goat

In temperate regions, female goats are seasonally polyoestrus. Most goats are totally anoestrus in the northern hemisphere between March and August, although fertile matings have been recorded in all months of the year. Anglo-Nubian and pygmy goats in particular have extremely long breeding seasons. Recently imported goats from the southern hemisphere may take time to adjust to a new seasonality. The breeding season is initiated largely in response to decreasing day length, but is also dependent on temperature, the environment (particularly nutrition) and the presence of a male. Decreasing day length also stimulates reproductive activity in the buck. Table 1.1 details the reproductive aspects of the goat.

Table 1.1 Reproduction in the goat

Breeding season	September to March (northern hemisphere)
Puberty	5 months
Age at first service	4 to 6 months (male) 7 to 18 months (female)
Oestrus cycle	19 to 21 days (dairy goats) 18 to 24 days (Pygmy goats)
Duration of oestrus	24 to 96 hours (usually 36 to 40 hours)
Ovulation	24 to 48 hours after start of oestrus
Gestation length	150 days (145 to 156 days)
Weight at first mating	60–70% of predicted adult weight ∼30 kg for meat goats 30–40 kg for dairy goats

Investigation of female infertility

---

Because of the seasonal pattern of breeding, infertility must be investigated as early as possible in the breeding season.

---

The investigation of female infertility in the goat presents major difficulties when compared with the cow because of the inability to palpate the ovaries and because of the seasonal pattern of breeding – does are often presented towards the end of the season, limiting the time available for remedial measures. Figure 1.1 lists possible causes of infertility in the doe.

Figure 1.1 Causes of female infertility.

Initial assessment

The preliminary history should consider:

• Individual or herd/flock problem.
• Feeding, including mineral supplementation.
• Management practices – hand-mating, artificial insemination (AI), buck running with does.
• Disease status of herd/flock.

If there is a herd problem, investigate:

• Male infertility (Chapter 3).
• Intercurrent disease – parasitism, footrot, etc.
• Nutritional status – energy or protein deficit, mineral deficiency (phosphorus, copper, iodine, manganese).
• Stress – overcrowding, recent grouping of goats.
• Poor heat detection.
• Services at incorrect time.

Assessment of individual doe

General assessment

• Conformation.
• Body condition.
• Dentition.
• Clinical examination.

Any obvious clinical signs such as debility, anaemia or lameness should be investigated and corrected where possible before commencing specific therapy aimed at correcting a reproductive disorder.

In the UK overfeeding is probably a greater cause of infertility than poor condition.

Specific examination

• Specific examination of the reproductive and mammary systems. Include, where necessary, examination of the vagina and cervix with a speculum to identify anatomical abnormalities.

Specific history

• Date of last kidding/stage of lactation.
• Daily milk yield.
• Presence or absence of obvious oestrus signs.
• Length of oestrus cycles.
• Date of last service.
• Willingness to stand for male.
• Kidding difficulties last time – malpresentation/manipulation, metritis, retained placenta, abortion, mummified fetus, stillbirths.

Further investigations

• Specific laboratory tests:
• Progesterone assay
• Oestrone sulphate assay
• Bacteriological examination of vaginal or uterine samples
• Feed analysis
• Real-time ultrasound scanning
• Laparoscopy or laparotomy.

Individual infertility problems

Individual infertility problems will generally fall into one of four categories:

1. 1 Difficulty at service.
2. 2 Anoestrus.
3. 3 Irregular oestrus cycles.
4. 4 Regular oestrus cycles.

Difficulty at service

• Doe not in season.
• Doe scared – common with maiden animals, particularly if a large buck is used on a small doe.
• Persistent hymen or vaginal constriction.

Anoestrus

---

Always consider the possibility of an undetected pregnancy (even if the owner insists that no mating has occurred) before attempting treatment, particularly with prostaglandins.

---

The causes of anoestrus are listed in Table 1.2 and discussed below.

• Seasonal. Most goats are totally anoestrus between March and August.
• Pregnancy.
• Poor heat detection.

Table 1.2 Causes of anoestrus

Seasonal

Pregnancy

Poor heat detection

Malnutrition

Post-...

Table of contents

• Cover
• Title Page
• Copyright
• Table of Contents
• Preface to the fourth edition
• Acknowledgements
• Author's note
• Chapter 1: Female infertility
• Chapter 2: Abortion
• Chapter 3: Male infertility
• Chapter 4: The periparturient goat
• Chapter 5: Weak kids
• Chapter 6: Inadequate growth rate
• Chapter 7: Lameness in adult goats
• Chapter 8: Lameness in kids
• Chapter 9: Chronic weight loss
• Chapter 10: External swellings
• Chapter 11: Skin disease
• Chapter 12: Nervous diseases
• Chapter 13: Diseases of the mammary gland
• Chapter 14: Diarrhoea
• Chapter 15: Colic
• Chapter 16: Abdominal distension
• Chapter 17: Respiratory disease
• Chapter 18: Anaemia
• Chapter 19: Sudden death, post-mortem examination and euthanasia
• Chapter 20: Eye disease
• Chapter 21: Plant poisoning
• Chapter 22: The geriatric goat
• Chapter 23: Herd health and biosecurity
• Chapter 24: Anaesthesia
• Chapter 25: Disbudding and dehorning
• Chapter 26: Surgical techniques
• Appendix: Drugs for goats
• Further reading
• Index
• Supplemental Images
• End User License Agreement