Respected all
Please suggest me the cardinal signs and possible tests to dignose the pregnancy in goats at the practical field conditions. If possible plsese share some literature in this regards. What is the minimum duration after conception to know that the goats are carrying.
Thanking you
Partha
In goats and sheep first pregnancy around the second and a half months of gestation there may already be an increase in the mammary gland, becoming more evident from the third month. This is accompanied by increased female weight. This increase in the mammary gland is due to the action of a hormone produced by the ruminant placenta which is the placental lactogen. This hormone prepares the breast early for future lactation. By ultrasoud we can dyagnosis pregnancy in goat with big acuracy around 30 days of gestation. I send you an article showing this affirmation.
This article is portuguese, but you can translate it very well using GOOGLE TRANSLATOR. I hope this article will help you to get your questions answered.
today there are many inexpensive ultrasound machines that allow pregnancy diagnosis at 32 days and onward as well as twin detection
https://he.aliexpress.com/wholesale?catId=0&initiative_id=AS_20170816084651&SearchText=ultrasound+veterinary
Thank you dr airton
Verynice updates. Along with that there are some other signs like changes in vulva way be a sign. But regarding weight gain i feel it will b very less and first and second kiddings may happen when the animal is sitill in growing stage. And in early pregnany foetal weight will be negligible.
Regards
using the sheep as a comparable example
Scanning for pregnancy status only (Wet/Dry ewes) – can be scanned from 35 - 40 days after the removal of rams, up until lambing (based on 42 day joining).
Scanning for single/twin status (Multiples) – the optimal time is between 80 to 100 days from commencement of joining
I agree with A. Arguello. Use an ultrasound for accuracy, and determining fercundity.
Weight change is very unreliable and influenced by too many variables including previous pregnancy, age, condition etc. Similarly udder changes are highly variable. Weight and udder change are suggestive only, vulval changes will not become apparent until well into pregnancy.
Thank you dr Bailey
This is really meaning ful. Please put some light on cardinal sings. Is there anything related to their behaviour like tail movement. Feeding behaviour etc.
Regards
Partha
Today is the best and fastest method for diagnosing pregnancy ultrasound. The device is able to diagnose pregnancy 35 days after fertilization.
Thank you all for your valueable inputs. Ultra sonography is probably the best and most accurate way to detect pregnacy. I do agree to it. Bit my question is can we detect the pregnany by observing tje changes in physiology behaviour or any other sign.
In a herd of around 300 goats doing ultrasonography woth only 2 persons is practically impossible. Hence if you have some experience or literature please do share.
Thanks and regards
Partha
Hi Partha
I think the first sign of successful ,pregnancy will be that the doe does not return to service, assuming there are no reproductive disease issues. Until early in the last trimester all other signs would indicators at best, but unreliable.
Consider using a weighing crate for the ultrasonography. Does can walk in and you can scan the standing doe quickly through a side panel without her being unduly disturbed. It means no capture or restraint, so 300 should be a relatively easy process, especially if you are only wishing to confirm pregnancy, and nothing more extensive such as stage of pregnancy or singles/twins.
Partha.
a doe in good condition is likely to be successfully serviced in the first mating about 85-90%. So the remaining 10-15% will return to service in the next oestrus. It means by 2 cycles over 95% should be pregnant notwithstanding reasons for early abortions etc. Have you thought of using cheap pregnancy test strips (as used on humans)? thats if ultrasounding is too problematic.
Thank u Dr Bailey
Pregnancy strip may be a good idea. Lets see how much iy works.
Will it work in rumanants also? Any other way
Regards
Partha
Hi Partha
I believe it is used in commercial situations already as a cheap alternative. There is no reason why it shouldnt work with ruminants. maybe conduct a small trial for goats. As I said, in the early stages of pregnancy the best cardinal sign would be returning to service. further into pregnancy and ultrasound will be the fastest. Maybe train a neutered buck, tubal ligation will render it infertile but still sexually active. It will be easier than using a wether that has be primed with testosterone
maybe try this site
http://www.emlabgenetics.com/Documents/PTEST-%201X%20(2016).pdf