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Pregnancy toxemia (PT) is a metabolic disease of ewes and does that occurs in the final weeks of pregnancy. Clinical signs of the condition include a gradual decrease in food intake, depression or inactivity, down and unable to rise, tremors, wobbly, weakness, circling, grinding of the teeth, and if left untreated may result in death of the animal.
The disease is typically seen in animals which carry one large fetus but can also be seen in animals which carry multiple small fetuses. The condition develops due to a reduced ability to consume sufficient energy from their diet to meet the energy demands of the mother and her babies. Ewes/does who are obese or very thin are more at risk of developing this condition. This condition appears to be on the increase, especially in Boer goats that are carrying as many as four fetuses.
Given the value of these animals, ultrasound at 30-70 days of pregnancy is highly recommended to identify those with multiple fetuses. This allows the caretaker to separate those that are more prone to the development of pregnancy toxemia.
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