Obstetrical problems and their management in Iraqi goats

Abstract

The study was conducted on 576 Iraqi goats suffering from dystocia ( n = 308), uterine prolapse ( n = 115), retained placenta ( n = 95) and postpartum metritis ( n = 58). Treatment of different types of dystocia in goats included medical (hormonal; n = 36), manual (correction and traction; n = 148) and surgical (Caesarean section; n = 124). Efficiency of each treatment was: 66.6%, 82.4% and 93.5%, respectively, with a significant difference ( P < 0.01) between methods. Does with uterine prolapse were treated by repositioning and suturing the vulva. Good prognoses were obtained in 80% ( 92 115 ) of cases. Animals affected with retained placenta were treated by manual removal of placenta plus L.A. tetracycline injection ( n = 33) or 2 mg oestradiol benzoate plus 20 i.u. oxytocin i.m. ( n = 32), or 7.5 mg prostaglandin (PGF 2α i.m. ( n = 30). High success rate was obtained (86.6%) with the PGF 2α-treated group. Manual treatment with antibiotics and treatment with oestradiol benzoate plus oxytocin had 60.6% and 62.5% response, respectively, with a significant difference between prostaglandin-treated group and others ( P < 0.01). Goats with postpartum metritis were subjected to 20 mg/kg BW L.A. tetracycline i.m. (group 1; n = 20); 20 mg/kg BW LA tetracycline i.m. plus oestradiol benzoate (2 mg i.m.) followed by 20 i.u. of oxytocin i.m. (group 2; n = 20); received 20 mg/kg BW LA tetracycline i.m. plus 7.5 mg prostaglandin F 2α i.m. (group 3; n = 20). A high success rate (88.8%) was obtained in the third group, while the other treatments had 55% and 75% responses in groups 1 and 2, respectively ( P < 0.01). Caesarean section was the safest method for treatment of caprine dystocia. Injection of PGF 2α or oxytocin plus oestradiol alone or in combination with antibiotic directly after parturition will reduce the incidence of retained placenta and postpartum metritis.