Evaluation of clinical, hematological and biochemical parameters in goats with subclinical and clinical pregnancy toxemia in Libya

Abstract

This study was aimed to evaluate the clinical, hematological and biochemical parameters in goats with clinical and subclinical pregnancy toxemia. A total of 63 pregnant goats were included in this study. On the basis of clinical examination and assessment of β-hydroxy butyric acid concentration (BHBA) does were classified into three groups. group A: Consist of 20 healthy pregnant goats, used as control. Group B: consist of 28 does with subclinical pregnancy toxemia (SCPT). Group C: consist of 15 does with clinical pregnancy toxemia (CPT). For each case, history, age, breed, number of fetus, results of clinical examination and hematobiochemical findings were recorded and analyzed. Clinical examination in clinical pregnancy toxemic goats revealed anorexia, depression, dullness, dyspnea, weakness, dropped head, lateral recumbency, acetone smell from the mouth, grinding of teeth and neurologic signs. Hemato biochemical analysis revealed a significant increase of PCV%, BHBA, ALT, AST, urea and creatinine in clinical pregnancy toxemic goats, while there was significant decrease of serum glucose, total protein, albumin, globulin, sodium, potassium and calcium. Does with subclinical pregnancy toxemia showed significantly lower serum glucose, total protein and calcium, whereas a marked increase in PCV%, urea and BHBA. The results revealed that the caprine pregnancy toxemia have severe impacts on several clinical and biochemical parameters. In order to prevent the economic loss due to pregnancy toxemia, measuring blood metabolites can be potentially useful tool for routine monitoring of subclinical pregnancy toxemia in late pregnant goats.