Clinico-pathomorphological changes of pregnancy toxaemia in goats

Pregnancy toxaemia is a metabolic disease of goats commonly occurring in does with multiple foetuses during the last six weeks of gestation. The mortality rate is high in aff ected animals. In this study, a total of nine cases of pregnancy toxaemia were diagnosed on the basis of post mortem findings. Out of nine cases, eight cases had multiple foetuses.Gross examination revealed pale yellow to orange tinged liver, congested pulpy kidneys, hypertrophy and congestion with haemorrhages in adrenal glands and diff use congestion in the brain. Histopathological examination showed lipid vacuoles in hepatocytes, haemorrhages and hypertrophic cellular nodules in adrenal glands and degeneration of tubular epithelium of kidneys. Urine analysis revealed hypoglycaemia (10-15 mg/dl), terminal hyperglycaemia (99.3 mg/dl in one case) and presence of ketone body Beta-hydroxy butyrate (BHBA) (2.7-6.03 mmol/L). The levels of glucose in the aqueous humour of eye were markedly declined (n=8) which indicated severe hypoglycaemia (10-20mg/dl). The levels of BHBA (2.78-6.24 mmol/L) and hormone cortisol (48.11-72.27 ng/ ml) were markedly elevated in the aqueous humour of eye. Thus, the findings of the present investigation will be helpful in the management of pregnancy toxaemia in goat herds.