Abstract
The aim of this research was to evaluate the effects of the peripartum period in the clinical and hematological parameters of adult goats. The research used animals of Saanen and Alpine Brown breed at the following times: T-15 (fifteen days before partum), T0 (immediately after partum), T2 (two days after partum), T5 (five days after partum), T10 (ten days after partum), T15 (fifteen days after partum) and T30 (thirty days after partum). A group of 10 adult goats, of the same breed, non-pregnant and non-lactating comprised the control group. The main physical find was higher heart rate (HR) at pre-parturition and at delivery time, with a decrease of the values through the time. The respiratory (RR) rate of the evaluated group was higher than that of the control group, with the pic at T-15. The main alteration revealed in the complete blood count was lower values of hemoglobin at T-15, when compared to the control group. It was observed a leukocytosis by neutrophil increasing with lymphopenia at T0 and leukocytosis with neutrophil increasing in the early lactation period. The protein values were lower at T-15 and T0, but they were increased by the lactation time. The fibrinogen presented higher values in T0. As conclusion of this assay, the physical and hematological parameters were useful to detect the variation that occurs in the periparturition period of dairy goats. Those findings, associated to the stress leucogram and the increase in the metabolic basal rate in this period, confirm the physiological susceptibility of the goats in early lactation. Management of temperature and of nutritional needs is imperative to keep these animals without organic unbalance, and to avoid health problems and productive failures.
Keywords:
transitional periods; physical examination; blood work; pregnancy; lactation