2016 ACVIM Forum Research Abstract Program

A prospective cohort study was performed on 1242 lactating goats from 10 commercial herds in Qu ebec, Canada. Each goat was followed weekly during the 5 last weeks of pregnancy or until parturition. During each farm visit all pregnant goats were sampled until more than 95% of the group had kidded. Blood samples from jugular vessel were collected and were analyzed directly on farm using an electronic on-farm test for the quantification of blood b-hydroxybutyrate acid (BHBA) concentration (Precision Xtra, Abbott Diabetes Care, Saint-Laurent, Canada). Producers evaluated each goat for presence of PT based on a 4 degrees scale (absence, low, moderate, or strong suspicion of PT) using a standardized definition. Number of fetuses, mortality, difficulty of kidding, and presence of treatment, anorexia, lethargy and isolation from the rest of the herd were evaluated during the first week following parturition.