Diseases of the females in sheep and goats, pregnancy and calving disorders.

1. Diseases and Disorders During Pregnancy

A. Pregnancy Toxemia

Cause: Lack of energy in the last weeks of pregnancy, especially in females with twins/triplets.

Signs: Weakness, lack of appetite, excessive lying down, tremors, and sometimes standing.

Prevention: High-energy diet in the last trimester of pregnancy, especially with added grains.

Treatment: Administration of glucose or propylene glycol, sugar infusion, and sometimes induction of labor.

B. Hypocalcemia (Milk Fever)

Cause: A sharp drop in blood calcium levels near calving.

Signs: Muscle weakness, loss of appetite, recumbency, tremors, or convulsions.

Treatment: Intravenous calcium administration.

Prevention: Balanced diet with calcium and phosphorus before calving.

C. Abortions

Causes: Infectious: Chlamydia, Toxoplasma, Brucella melitensis, Campylobacter, Salmonella.

Non-infectious: Trauma, stress, mineral deficiency.

Prevention: Vaccination as recommended by a veterinarian, maintaining hygiene and separating females that have aborted.

D. Mummification / Maceration

Cause: Dead fetus that has not been expelled from the uterus.

Signs: No signs of calving, swollen abdomen.

2. Circumpartum Disorders

A. Dystocia

Cause: Large fetus, malposition of limbs or head, narrow birth canal.

Treatment: Careful manual assistance, use of lubricant, and sometimes cesarean section.

Prevention: Monitoring the female's diet and timely separation of males to prevent premature pregnancy.

Treatment: Hormonal therapy or veterinary intervention.

B. Retained Placenta

Cause: Failure to separate the placenta within 6–12 hours of delivery.

Signs: Prolonged bloody discharge, foul odor, uterine inflammation.

Treatment: Antibiotics, mild acid for uterine lavage, supportive care.

Prevention: Diet rich in vitamins (especially A, E, selenium).

C. Uterine Prolapse

Cause: Excessive strain during childbirth or muscle weakness.

Treatment: Carefully return the uterus, administer antibiotics and hormonal support.

Important: Immediate treatment – ​​life-threatening condition.

3. Postpartum Complications

A. Metritis

Cause: Postpartum infection or retained placenta.

Signs: purulent discharge, fever, decreased appetite.

Treatment: Antibiotics, uterine lavage, supportive care.

B. Mastitis

Cause: Bacteria (mainly Staphylococcus and Pasteurella).

Signs: Swollen, warm udder, milk of different color or odor.

Treatment: Local and systemic antibiotics, disposal of infected milk.

Prevention: Hygiene during milking and cleanliness of the calving environment.

Diseases and disorders during pregnancy

Pregnancy Toxemia:

Occurs mainly in the last trimester of pregnancy, in females with twins or triplets. Caused by lack of energy. Signs include weakness, recumbency, tremors, and sometimes coma.

Treatment is with glucose or propylene glycol, and in severe cases, induction of labor.

The best defense is a high-energy diet before labor.

Hypocalcemia (Milk Fever):

Caused by a sharp drop in calcium levels around calving.

The female appears weak, shaky, and sometimes lies down and is unable to get up.

Treatment is intravenous calcium.

Prevention – a balanced diet with appropriate calcium levels.

Abortions:

Can be caused by infections such as Chlamydia, Toxoplasma, Brucella, Campylobacter or Salmonella, as well as stress or injury.

Prevention includes vaccination, good hygiene, and separating aborted females from the herd.

Dead fetus in the uterus (Mummification / Maceration):

Caused when a dead fetus is not expelled. Causes abdominal swelling and lack of signs of calving.

Treatment is hormonal or by a veterinarian.

Disorders during childbirth

Dystocia:

Caused by abnormal fetal position or fetal size that is too large.

Help carefully – return the fetus to the correct position or perform a cesarean section if necessary.

Prevention with proper nutrition and monitoring the pregnancy date.

Retained Placenta:

When the placenta is not expelled within 6–12 hours.

The female will exhibit bloody discharge and a foul odor.

Treatment includes antibiotics and uterine lavage.

Prevention by administering vitamins and minerals (A, E, selenium).

Uterine Prolapse:

The uterus falls out after childbirth due to straining or muscle weakness.

This is an emergency that requires gentle retraction of the uterus and antibiotic treatment.

Postpartum Complications

Metritis:

Develops as a result of infection after parturition or retained placenta.

There is purulent discharge, fever, decreased appetite.

Treatment includes antibiotics and uterine lavage.

Mastitis:

Bacteria cause swelling, heat, discoloration, or odor of the milk.

Treatment is with general and local antibiotics.

Prevention by maintaining cleanliness during milking and calving.

*It is always advisable to consult a qualified veterinarian.