Causes and symptoms of endometritis in goats, methods of treatment and prevention
Goats often develop endometritis in the postpartum period. This inflammatory disease provokes a deterioration in the general condition of females. If untreated and untimely detected, it can lead to the death of the animal. Sexually mature individuals are susceptible to the disease. The danger in the development of endometritis is a general weakening of the goat's immunity, which is associated with difficult childbirth.
Causes of occurrence
Endometritis is an inflammation that is localized to the mucous membranes of the uterus. Inflammation develops in the postpartum period, in goats it is most often diagnosed 3-5 days after birth.
Inflammation can be caused by abnormalities during childbirth or postpartum care.
| The main causes of inflammation | Description |
| Injury during childbirth | Delayed afterbirth, veterinarian use of special tools lead to cracks |
| Infection | The introduction of bacteria on the mucous membranes of the uterus |
| Vaginal prolapse | Caused by difficult difficult labor |
The reason for the development of endometritis in a goat can be the introduction of infection along with the blood with the necessary transfusion.
The factor that is able to provoke the development of the inflammatory process is called the unsatisfactory conditions of keeping goats. Violation of sanitary and hygienic standards contributes to the manifestation of chronic or pathological reactions of various types. The characteristics of the diet, its filling with vitamins and minerals, also affect the protective mechanisms and active recovery after childbirth.
The main symptoms of the disease
The onset of the disease is characterized by a local course. The latent chronic form is asymptomatic. The female is experiencing difficulties in fertilization and is not able to reproduce offspring.
Typical symptoms:
- an increase in temperature;
- lethargy of the animal;
- the appearance of difficulty breathing;
- painful attacks with forced urination;
- the goat is constantly trying to find a suitable position that will not hurt;
- the presence of mucous or purulent discharge from the vagina;
- an increase in the walls of the uterus;
- inability to view mucous membranes using a gynecological speculum due to an increase in the walls.
The cervical canal does not close during the development of inflammation, the contraction of the uterus is suspended, and exudate is constantly released from the vagina.
Reference! Most often, goats first develop purulent endometritis, and then turns into a purulent-catarrhal form.
How is the disease diagnosed
Chronic endometritis is detected provided that inseminations have been carried out repeatedly and have not been successful. At the same time, during estrus, mucus mixed with pus is released from the goat's vagina. To make an accurate diagnosis, histological type samples are taken.
An endometrial biopsy and a semen sample that is secreted during insemination will give results that indicate the development of inflammation of the mucous membranes. With a sharp deterioration in the condition after childbirth, samples are taken from the walls of the uterus from the goat, the discharge is examined for histology.
Goat treatment methods
Provided that the treatment of animals begins in a timely manner, you can count on a positive prognosis. The main task of the veterinarian when diagnosing endometritis is to increase the tone of the uterus and release from secretions.
Of particular importance is the prevention of septic processes, which includes treatment with antiseptic agents.
Treatment regimen when diagnosing a purulent or purulent-catarrhal form of endometritis:
- introduction of 6-10 thousand units of "Penicillin" per 1 kilogram of live weight;
- administration of "Biomycin" inside (0.4 or 0.5 grams);
- introduction of "Bitsillin" 400-600 thousand units once a week.
The drugs are dissolved using sterile saline and then administered until the goat's body temperature drops. Antibiotics are recommended to be administered intrauterinely in the form of solutions, emulsions or powders.
Then, when microbes are not sensitive to antibiotics, they are replaced with sulfa drugs. "Sulfatsil" and "Sulfazole" are given for three days, 2 times daily. For washing the mucous membranes of the uterus and vagina, use solutions of "Rivanol" and "Furacilin". To properly flush the uterine cavity, use Janet's syringe. This is a special device with a rubber tube and a plastic catheter. When washing, the organs of the goat must be additionally disinfected with antiseptic agents.
During the main therapy, symptoms associated with the disease are treated symptomatically. For seriously ill goats, rest is shown, females with little inflammation are walked daily for 2 or 3 days after delivery. During the postpartum period with diagnosed endometritis, goats are given plenty of fluids and easily digestible food.
Reference! As an auxiliary measure that helps to remove the contents of the secret, a manual massage of the abdomen is performed.
Prevention of endometritis in goats
Preventive measures for endometritis are considered to be the provision of conditions for housing and care at the stage before lambing:
- complete and balanced nutrition;
- daily walks in the fresh air;
- getting the necessary vitamins and minerals;
- free access to drink;
- absence of insects or rodents where the goat is kept.
During childbirth, it is recommended to ensure the sterility of the instruments that may be needed. To prevent the risk of infection, goats are given birth in special separate boxes.
The postpartum period is a critical period for breeders, during which the goat needs special care. Animals need daily walking for 2-3 days after giving birth and possible physiological stimulation of organs by a male probe. This technique helps to quickly contract the uterus and tone the muscles.
