ACUTE PARTURIENT HYPOCALCAEMIA IN GOATS

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Etiology

• A depression of ionized calcium in tissue fluid is the basic biochemical defect in acute parturient hypocalcemia.

Epidemiology

  1. The occurrence of acute parturient hypocalcemia in goats is rare.
  2. There is a fall in serum calcium and phosphorus levels in all goats at kidding due to the onset of lactation
  3. In heavy milking goats, an absolute deficiency of calcium at any stage of lactation will precipitate the disease.
  4. Milking goats get affected mostly during 4-6 years of age
  5. Cases occur before and after kidding, some even 3 weeks after parturition.

Clinical signs

  1. Slight tremors
  2. Twitching
  3. Hyperexcitability
  4. Slight ataxia
  5. Lethargy
  6. Incoordination of limbs
  7. Paresis
  8. Recumbency
  9. Bloat
  10. Coma and death

Diagnosis

  1. Based on clinical signs
  2. Rapid response to calcium therapy
  3. Serum calcium 2 to 6 mg/dl

Treatment

  1. 25% Calcium Borogluconate 80-100ml slow I/V
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