PREGNANCY AND PARTURITION MANAGEMENT IN GOAT

Dr Vikas Sachan, Dr Jitendra K Agrawal

Animal husbandry is an integral part of agriculture meant not only for agricultural functions but also for the production of milk and meat etc. Generally, cattle, buffalo, sheep and goat etc are the animals commonly reared for various purposes in Indian villages. Goat farming is one of the most beneficial fields for the economical improvement of Indian farmers. Although goat is a sturdy animal and can be reared with less space and scarcity of food But because of lack of scientific knowledge related to feeding, housing and reproductive management etc one is not getting the efficient benefits from goat farming. Beside disease outbreaks because of various pathological agents, maximum mortality occurs in goat because of improper management during pregnancy and after parturition which may lead to huge economic loss to farmers or animal rearer. But these losses can be reduced by adopting the scientific knowledge and skills for management of pregnant goats as well as management after parturition.

At the time of service or insemination, the age and bodyweight of the goat should be kept in consideration. Smaller goats are more likely to prone for dystocia at the time of parturition, especially when inseminating with the semen of large size breed buck. Generally, kids from weak or small goats are weaker and prone to various diseases. The insemination should be done in such a season that at the time of parturition weather would not be harsh and tough for the kid as well as a goat as this time is very crucial for a dam with respect to diseases and normal growth of the kid. Pregnant dams should be administered with vaccines against FMD, Pox and PPR etc like other goats at the proper schedule. Goats should also be exposed with recommended doses of ectoparaciticide.e.g. deltamethrine, anitraz etc time to time to protect from ticks and mites. Endoparaciticides e.g. fenbendazole should also be given to protect from ectoparasiticides. Generally in the last one to one and half month of gestation, pregnant goats should be kept separately for extra care and management. Increased feed supplement is necessary for the pregnant dam herself as well for growing fetus as fetal growth is maximum in last one month. For this purpose, about 200 gm per day concentrate should be given to pregnant dam which should be increased up to 500 gms per day in last month of gestation. The feed should be balanced having dry and greens as well. Clean water should be available ad lib all the time. The pregnant animal should be given sufficient access to exercise by movement outside the paddocks. In last week of pregnancy, the dam should not allow going far from the paddock or in the jungle. Dams with the history of abortion in the later part of pregnancy can be administered with long-acting antibiotics. Before kidding season the pans or barn should be clean properly, Floor should be prepared with soil mixed with mild antiseptic powder or covered with soft and dry grass. Wall should be free from cracks or crevices and can be whitewashed with lime. The area should be protected from sudden rain, direct sunlight, excess cold or storm etc. Calving pens should be shifted to these paddocks for kidding management. A separate person should be allotted to take care at the time of kidding. The floor of kidding pan should also be soft and cushioned. Assistance can be delivered at the time of parturition to protect the kid from falling free on the ground. Urgently one should remove the mucous and membranes from the nostrils to ensure the proper breathing. The body can be rubbed with little pressure especially over the chest in case of dyspnoea. The kid should be left free to the dam for licking as this maintain the mother instinct and improves the blood circulation. The kid may be dried with the help of some soft cotton cloth. The umbilical cord should be cut apart about one cm with a sterilized blade or scissors and iodine should be applied. It reduces the risk of bacterial infection, especially of Clostridium sp. and others. Goat expels the placenta maximally within 6 hrs of parturition. If not, the veterinarian should be called for advice and treatment. Uterine ecbolics and herbal uterine tonics can be provided. The perineal and vaginal area should be washed with potassium permanganate and kept clean dry.

Initial passive immunity to the kid is provided with the antibodies present in the colostrum of the dam. Colostrum feeding is a must for every kid within 1 hr to initial 3 days. Some kids are unable to take feed from dam teat or sometimes dam in first parity is not ready to feed her kid so some assistance can be given. Emptying udders after kid feeding every day and cleaning with mild potassium permanganate solution are common and important practices. If the goat is not able to produce colostrum after kidding, Kid should be provided with the milk from other recently parturited goats. The milk of cow can be used after dilution in 1:1 ratio in adverse condition. Bottle feeding should be avoided but if it is needed then proper sterilization is recommended. The separate bottle should be used for separate kid. Paddock/barn should be well fenced for protection against dogs or other animals. Unnecessary utensils or garbage should not be dumped in these paddocks. Cleanliness should be at maximum focus. Dampness should not be there.

These scientific managerial skills will definitely reduce the mortality of the parturating dam and kid by which one can avoid the unwanted economic losses in goat farming.

Dr Vikas Sachan, Dr Jitendra K Agrawal

COVSc. & AH (DUVASU), Mathura, UP-281001