Characterization of short- and long-term morbidity and mortality of goat kids born to does with pregnancy toxemia

Abstract

Background: Pregnancy toxemia is a common metabolic disease of periparturient small ruminants. Information on its effects on metabolism and perinatal adaptation of newborn lambs and kids is lacking.

Objectives: Evaluate differences in morbidity, mortality, and common biochemical and hematologic variables between pregnancy toxemia kids (PT) and control kids (CON).

Animals: Sixteen kids born to does being treated at the hospital for pregnancy toxemia (blood beta-hydroxybutyrate concentration [BHB] > 1.2 mmol/L) and 12 kids from healthy dams (dam BHB < 1.2 mmol/L) that kidded at the hospital.

Methods: In this cohort study, serial measurements of blood L-lactate, glucose, and BHB concentrations, arterial blood gases, hematocrit, total protein concentrations, nonesterified fatty acids (NEFAs) concentrations, and body weight were compared between groups over the first 72 hours of life. Long-term follow-up was performed after 3 months.

Results: Pregnancy toxemia kids were more likely to require tube feeding at 0 and 12 hours (relative risk 7.7 [1.13, 52.45] and 2.8 [1.39, 5.65]). Pregnancy toxemia kids were more acidemic (7.26 ± 0.069 vs 7.34 ± 0.079, P = .003) and hyperlactatemic (8.17 ± 2.57 vs 5.48 ± 2.71, P = .003) at birth than CON kids. Control kids were 1.1 [1.01, 1.77] times more likely to survive to discharge and 2.2 [1.15, 4.20] times more likely to survive to 3 months than PT kids.

Conclusions and clinical importance: Pregnancy toxemia kids had higher short- and long-term mortality and were more likely to require perinatal intervention. Weight loss in the first few days could be a useful predictor of nonsurvival.

Keywords: acidemia; blood gas; glucose; lactate; metabolic; neonate; respiration; small ruminant.