Characterization of short- and long-term morbidity and mortality of goat kids born to does with pregnancy toxemia
Abstract
Pregnancy Toxemia is a common peri-parturient disease of negative energy balance seen in sheep and goats in the last trimester of pregnancy. Although several studies have evaluated outcomes for dams with pregnancy toxemia, there is a gap in knowledge for its effects on the lambs and kids after parturition. The aim of this study was to characterize the short- and long-term morbidity and mortality of kids born to pregnancy toxemia does. A secondary aim was to evaluate common biochemical and hematologic parameters to find a difference between perinatal adaptation in kids from pregnancy toxemia dams (PT) and control kids (CON) from healthy dams. Serial measurements of blood L-lactate, glucose, beta-hydroxybutyrate, arterial blood gases, hematocrit, total protein, non-esterified fatty acids, and body weight were compared across groups over the first 72 hours of life. Long-term follow up was performed at 3 months. PT kids had a higher short- and long-term mortality compared to CON kids. PT kids were more likely to have a difficult birth, and more likely to require tube feeding due to abnormal nursing behavior. PT kids were much more acidemic and lactatemic at birth, and were less able to maintain their blood glucose compared to CON kids. PT kids were more likely to lose weight in the first 72 hours of life and this was associated with an increased risk of non-survival at 3 months. Overall PT kids showed a decreased ability to ventilate, mobilize energy substrates and adequately perfuse tissues in the peri-natal period which may contribute to their overall weakness and increased mortality. Clinically, these kids would benefit from prolonged oxygen supplementation and need to be monitored for weight gain and milk intake in the first few days of life. Weight loss in the first few days could be a useful predictor of future poor performance.
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