False pregnancy in a goat: causes and how to determine the possible consequences

Goat breeding is aimed at obtaining valuable goat milk. In adult goats, a condition sometimes occurs, which is called a false pregnancy. A false pregnancy in a goat is difficult to diagnose without a veterinarian. This condition is not considered a disease, but 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 pseudo-pregnancy is that the animal begins to develop signs that are inherent in a real pregnancy.

The production of hormones is not related to external circumstances or conditions of detention. According to research, pseudoconception cannot be predicted or prevented. This is a feature of the species of the bovid family, which includes domestic goats of various breeds.

Information! Pseudo-pregnancy is less common in wild animals than in domesticated ones.

Symptoms of the condition

Signs of pregnancy and pseudo-state are similar, but in the absence of a goat in the herd, it can be said with absolute certainty that conception did not occur. If the owner is not sure that there was no mating between a female and a walking male, then diagnosing pregnancy becomes more complicated.

A goat that suffers from an imaginary pregnancy behaves like a pregnant one:

1. In the second half of the intended bearing of the fetus, the abdomen increases, it grows down, becomes asymmetric. The abdomen increases due to the appearance of waters, which pour out naturally after 150-160 days.
2. The animal becomes calm, tries to lie down and sleep more.
3. The female does not let relatives close to her stomach.

Diagnostic rules

There are many ways to determine imaginary conception:

1. The presence of a goat. If the female does not show interest when launching the male into the corral, then this means that she is carrying offspring. This technique is called reflexology.
2. A blood test for hormones. Laboratory analysis will show the absence of pregnancy 3 months after the imaginary conception. Blood can be taken by a veterinarian in the field.
3. Feeling the abdomen. An enlarged belly can be examined and felt in the third week after the intended mating. The fetus or its heartbeat is felt in slender goats during palpation and listening with a phonendoscope. This method is not informative for fat or long-haired goats.
4. 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 soda falls to the bottom in the form of sediment, then this means that conception has occurred.

In addition to this technique, there is a method that involves a sample of milk. Add a few drops of milk to a glass of water. If the milk began 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! Folk methods do not help determine conception 100 percent.

What to do if a goat has a false pregnancy

Imaginary pregnancy is a condition that goes away by itself. The waters that fill the enlarged abdomen pour out, which imitates the process of delivery. The danger of this condition is the risk of developing mastitis. The udder becomes inflamed during the outpouring of water, becomes enlarged and causes inconvenience to the goat. Falsely pregnant goats develop mastitis, which prevents milk production.

Despite the fact that a false pregnancy is not diagnosed as a disease, it is necessary to determine it. Those goats that are really waiting for offspring need to be provided with special conditions of detention. Females need rest, as well as additional vitamin and mineral complexes that contribute to the bearing of he althy offspring.

Owners should call a veterinarian to accurately determine pregnancy or false condition. In addition to imaginary conception, a goat can have a difficult pregnancy with subsequent miscarriage.

Is this condition dangerous?

Owners should be aware that imaginary pregnancy occurs in stress-resistant animals. The condition causes the female to experience abnormal sensations, which leads to hormonal disruptions. In females, appetite disorders, loss of coordination and related problems are observed. Sometimes supposedly pregnant females show aggression, become unbalanced and vicious. They can harm their kin or harm themselves.

The consequences of this provision may be repeated false conditions, inability to bear kids. The veterinarian, after examining and analyzing the behavior of the goat, may prescribe hormonal drugs to induce artificial hunting.

Information! Goats that are again falsely pregnant after hormone therapy are culled.

How to milk a goat after a false pregnancy

After a 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 yields. Usually, after delivery, goats are milked by the kids that have appeared, but with a false state, this is not possible.

The udder after the outflow of water is inspected, then washed with warm water. After drying the udder, the nipples are smeared with ointment to protect them from cracking. Light stroking of the udder and washing prepares the goat for the release of milk. The arrival of milk is noticeable by the increase in the udder. Milking is done as quickly as possible to free the udders.

Information! Experienced breeders advise giving the animal bread or a treat after milking.

Dispensing can be complicated by the animal's illness. This happens if the animal is exhausted by a false state and is stressed after the outpouring of water.

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