Common Causes and Treatments of Dystocia in Goats

Goats are a common breed raised for farming and are kept all across the country, but as their farming area expands, the incidence of dystocia in goats is also rising, becoming a major obstacle to the goat farming industry. So what causes dystocia in goats? And what should be done? Let's take a detailed look together.

1. Weak uterine contraction force

Weak uterine contractions during kidding can cause dystocia. What needs to be done at this point is, before the fetal membranes rupture, gently massage the abdomen to stimulate the uterus to contract on its own; if normal delivery still cannot occur, manual assistance must be used. If the cervix is open, the fetus can be grasped by hand and pulled out; if it cannot be grasped, the doe's uterus should be squeezed from front to back so that the fetus enters the birth canal and is easier to grasp. In addition, when other conditions are normal, 1-2 ml of oxytocin can be injected to promote uterine contractions and expel the fetus.

2. Narrow pelvis

During delivery, the uterus and birth canal open, but because the doe's pelvis is narrow or the bones are poorly developed, the fetus cannot be born smoothly. In this case, liquid paraffin can be poured into the doe's birth canal, then the pelvis position adjusted by hand; when the head is presented first, the two front legs can be pulled alternately to let the head pass through first, or the fetus can be rotated to a lateral position and then pulled out.

3. Narrow birth canal

When the birth canal is narrow but uterine contractions are normal, the fetus can still be expelled, causing dystocia. First clean the doe's vulva, then disinfect it, apply liquid paraffin inside the birth canal, and then reach in by hand to pull the fetus out.

4. Narrow cervical canal

As with the previous two, a narrow cervical canal is also one of the causes of dystocia. Check the dilation of the cervix at all times; when there is slight dilation, fingers can be used to assist dilation by inserting them into the cervix and slowly stretching it open to achieve assisted delivery.

5. Excessive fetal development

Rapid fetal development can also prevent normal delivery, leading to dystocia. Pour liquid paraffin into the vagina, pull the fetus's head or front legs outward by hand while dilating the vagina; if it still cannot be pulled out, the mucosa at the narrow part of the vagina can be incised, and after the fetus is delivered, it should be sutured.

6. Precautions after assisted delivery

During assisted delivery, the staff must carry out disinfection measures well; whether it is the delivery environment or themselves, disinfection must be done properly. After delivery, keep the farming environment clean, hygienic and dry, strengthen feeding, feed easily digestible forage, and control temperature and humidity well so that the fetus grows in a suitable environment. The doe's condition must be observed at all times, and any problems found must be dealt with promptly so that the doe begins to recover.

The above are the causes and treatments of dystocia in goats. We hope this helps you. If you want to learn more about goat farming, please stay tuned to us.