PERIPARTURIENT EDEMA

During the last six weeks or thereabouts of a pregnancy, a doe may develop Periparturient Edema. "Edema" is fluid accumulation within the tissues underneath the skin that both irritates and causes swelling. This condition causes great discomfort to the very pregnant female.

Onset can be subtle, often beginning with the doe's walking as if her feet hurt (tender-footed). This symptom is followed by a gradual swelling in the lower part of the front legs and usually progresses to the lower half of the rear limbs.

The doe will become listless; however, unlike Ketosis or other rumen-related illnesses, she does not lose her appetite. She will prefer to sit rather than stand, because walking is painful. Moaning and groaning sounds give vocal evidence to her discomfort. Initial symptoms are so generalized that it is easy for the producer to mistakenly diagnose the condition as Founder or even Ketosis.

Periparturient Edema can occur in females who have previously kidded without problems and does not necessarily recur in future pregnancies. It is usually appears in a doe who is carrying multiple large fetuses. The precise cause is unknown, but some veterinarians suspect that the unborn kids are taking more out of the female nutritionally than her system can readily replace. Edema is associated with increased blood pressure, decreases in blood proteins, and/or blockages in the lymph system (one of the body's primary filtration mechanisms).

The first diagnostic step is to check fecals for worms. A heavy worm load can bring on Periparturient Edema. De-worm the doe again, even if she has been recently de-wormed. (Note: Do NOT use Valbazen de-wormer on pregnant does. See my article entitled De-worming and Vaccination Schedules on my website's Articles page.

At the present time, supportive care is about all that can be done to help a pregnant doe suffering from Periparturient Edema. Much research needs to be done in this area. Keep the doe as comfortable as possible, provide her with proper levels of nutrition, and make her get up and walk a short distance several times each day until she delivers the kids. No special diet or supplements are required. Do not radically change her diet. Milk production should not be affected.

When parturition (kidding) occurs, be available to help the doe stand and feed her kids during their first 24-48 hours of life. After that timeframe, the swelling should begin to go away, and standing will not make her uncomfortable.

Producers having experience with Periparturient Edema are encouraged to contact this writer and share their knowledge (email: onioncreek@tennesseemeatgoats.com ). Much remains to be learned about Periparturient Edema in goats. Much of the information in this article was provided to the author by Pat Cotten, Bending Tree Ranch, Damascus, Arkansas.

The author, Suzanne Gasparotto, hereby grants to local goat publications and club newsletters, permission to reprint articles published on the Onion Creek Ranch website under these conditions: THE ARTICLE MUST BE REPRODUCED IN ITS ENTIRETY AND THE AUTHOR'S NAME, ADDRESS, AND CONTACT INFORMATION MUST BE INCLUDED AT THE BEGINNING OF THE REPRINT. Acknowledgement must also be made that the articles were first published in GOAT RANCHER Magazine, for which Suzanne Gasparotto writes exclusively. We would appreciate notification from any clubs or publications when the articles are used. (A copy of the newsletter or publication would also be a welcome addition to our growing library of goat related information!)

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