Incidence of hydrometra in goats and therapeutic effects

Abstract

The presence of hydrometra was analyzed on five dairy goat farms (one Saanen and four Alpine) in a period of one to three years, from 2013 to 2016. Total of 3,355 goats were scanned by ultrasound for pregnancy diagnosis after breeding season or out-of-season upon hormonal synchronization. Overall incidence of hydrometra was 1.37%. One farm of Saanen goats demonstrated statistically higher incidence of hydro/pyometra as compared to other four Alpine farms (3.25% vs. 0.56%; p <0.001). Seasonal synchronization of anestric goats and occasional out-of-season synchronization in nulliparous Saanen goats probably contributed to higher incidence of this pathological condition (7/67; 10.45%), thus leaving unclear if this results can be attributed to breed affinity and/or to intensive reproductive management. Treatment with double prostaglandin injections and antibiotic treatment of hydrometra/pyometra resulted in relatively good conception rate of 64% (16/25). In conclusion, regular ultrasonography 40-70 days after mating or insemination is of crucial importance for intensive farm reproductive management on large dairy goat farms. After the treatment, significant percentage of goats with hydrometra can be successfully rebred.