Causes of false pregnancy in a goat and how to determine the condition, consequences
Goat breeding is aimed at obtaining valuable goat milk. Adult goats sometimes develop a condition called false pregnancy. A false pregnancy in a goat is difficult to diagnose without a veterinarian. This condition is not considered a disease, but it can be corrected by the appointment of hormonal drugs if necessary.
Causes of the problem
A false pregnancy is called a water pregnancy. This designation is explained by the fact that the uterine cavity of the animal is filled with water, and not with embryos. The condition occurs in females who begin to spontaneously produce progesterone. The peculiarity of pseudopregnancy is that the animal begins to develop signs that are inherent in real pregnancy.
The production of hormones is not related to external circumstances or conditions of detention. Research has shown that pseudo-conception cannot be predicted or prevented. This is a feature of the species of the bovids family, which includes domestic goats of different breeds.
Symptoms of the condition
The signs of pregnancy and pseudo-state are similar, but in the absence of a goat in the herd, we can say with absolute certainty that conception did not occur. If the owner is not sure that there was no mating between the female and the walking male, then the diagnosis of pregnancy becomes more difficult.
A goat that suffers from an imaginary pregnancy behaves like a pregnant one:
- In the second half of the intended wearing of the fetus, the abdomen increases, it grows downward, becomes asymmetric. The abdomen is enlarged due to the appearance of water, which is poured out after 150-160 days in a natural way.
- The animal becomes calm, tries to lie down, sleep more.
- The female does not allow congeners close to the belly.
Diagnostic rules
There are several ways to define imaginary conception:
- The presence of a goat. If the female does not show interest when starting the male into the pen, then this means that she is bearing offspring. This technique is called reflexological.
- Blood test for hormones. Laboratory analysis will show the absence of pregnancy 3 months after the imaginary conception. Blood can be collected by a veterinarian in the field.
- Feeling of the abdomen. The enlarged abdomen can be examined and felt for the third week after the intended mating. The fetus or its heartbeat is felt in slender goats by palpation and listening with a phonendoscope.This method is not useful for well-fed or long-haired goats.
- Various folk methods. Experienced livestock breeders are able to determine the imaginary conception by the state of milk and other signs.
One of the options for self-determination of conception is the method of using urine and soda. The collected urine is diluted with soda. If the soda falls to the bottom in the form of a sediment, then this means that conception has occurred.
In addition to this technique, there is a method involving a milk sample. Add a few drops of milk to a glass of water. If the milk begins to settle to the bottom, then pregnancy has come. If the water has acquired an even white consistency without sediment, then we can talk about an imaginary state.
Attention! Traditional methods do not help to determine the conception 100 percent.
What to do if a goat has a false pregnancy
A mock pregnancy is a condition that goes away by itself. The waters that fill the enlarged abdomen are poured out, which imitates the process of childbirth. The danger of this condition is the risk of developing mastitis. The udder during the outpouring of water becomes inflamed, becomes enlarged and gives the goat inconvenience. Falsely pregnant goats develop mastitis, which interferes with milk production.
Despite the fact that false pregnancy is not diagnosed as a disease, it is necessary to determine it. Those goats that are really expecting offspring need to provide special conditions for keeping. Females need rest, as well as additional vitamin and mineral complexes that contribute to the bearing of healthy offspring.
Owners need to call a veterinarian to accurately determine pregnancy or false conditions. In addition to imaginary conception, a goat can have a difficult pregnancy followed by a miscarriage.
Is this condition dangerous?
Owners should be aware that fake pregnancy occurs in stress-sensitive animals. The condition causes the female to feel the wrong way, which leads to hormonal disruptions. Females have appetite disorders, loss of coordination, and related problems. Sometimes supposedly pregnant females show aggression, become unbalanced and vicious. They can harm relatives or harm themselves.
The consequences of this position may be repeated false states, the inability to bear kids. The veterinarian, after examining and analyzing the goat's behavior, may prescribe hormones to induce artificial hunting.
Information! Goats that go falsely pregnant again after hormone therapy are discarded.
How to milk a goat after a false pregnancy
After the false state, it is necessary to milk the goat in the same way as it is done after lambing. This procedure is the key to obtaining high milk yield. Usually, after childbirth, the goats that appear are distributed, but with a false state, this is not possible.
The udder, after pouring out the water, is examined, then washed with warm water. After the udder dries, the teats are lubricated with ointment to protect them from cracking. Gently stroking the udder and washing it prepares the goat for milk delivery. The arrival of milk is noticeable by the increase in udder Milking is done as quickly as possible to free the udder.
Information! Experienced breeders advise giving the animal bread or treats after milking.
Breaking can be complicated by the animal being unwell. This happens if the animal is exhausted by a false state and experiences stress after the outpouring of water.
