Fetal Death in Goats in Khartoum State Diagnosed by Ultrasonography and Treated by PGF2α and Oxytetracycline

Abstract

A cross sectional study was performed from October, 2015 – October, 2016 on 962 female goats to diagnose fetal mortality, find the prevalence of fetal death and investigate the associated risk factors using ultrasound technique. Treatment of dead fetuses was also done and the subsequent fertility was registered. Transabdominal ultrasound was performed using a real-time scanner (Pie Medical, Easote, the Netherlands) equipped with dual frequency (3.5-5) MHz convex probe while the goats were on their backs on a comfortable table. Results of the current study revealed that out of 962 examined goats, 431 were found non-pregnant (44.8%), 88 (9.14%) were pseudopregnant and 4 (0.42%) were diagnosed as having pyometra. 439 (45.63%) were diagnosed as pregnant. Out of 439 pregnant goats, 36 were diagnosed as bearing dead foetuses. The prevalence of fetal death in Khartoum state, Sudan was found to be 8.2%. Nine risk factors were investigated to found their association with fetal death. All factors; season of the year (χ2 = 4.873, P-value = 0.087), locality (χ2 = 4.398, P- value = 0.494), breed of the dam (χ2 = 7.147, P- value = 0.067), age of the dam (χ2 = 2.566, P-value = 0.277), parity number (χ2 = 3.024, P-value = 0.221), feeding type (χ2 = 0.728, P-value = 0.501) and breed of the inseminating buck (χ2 = 0.560, P-value = 0.756) were not significantly associated with fetal death. Out of 36 goats diagnosed as bearing dead fetuses; 13 goats were subjected to medical treatment using 0.5 ml single intramuscular injection of 250 μg cloprostenol and 5% oxytetracycline with a dose of 5 ml for five consecutive days. Out of 13 treated goats, 11 responded successfully to the treatment and dead fetuses were expelled within 48-96 hours. Follow up of the treated goats was performed using ultrasonography. Two full term goats with fetal death did not respond to PGF2α treatment and thus referred to surgery. Cesarean section and hysterectomy was done for three goats. It is concluded that fetal death is a major herd problem in goats in Khartoum state and real-time ultrasonography is a rapid, accurate and non-hazardous method for detecting fetal mortality. In addition, PGF2α in conjunction with oxytetracycline was found an effective treatment for fetal death in goats.