Results of Screening of Goats in Diagnosing of Ketosis.

Obtaining high-quality and environmentally friendly livestock products must be provided with healthy livestock of animals. With ketosis, all types of metabolism are disturbed, the diagnosis and prevention of its various forms in ruminants are relevant. Dairy goats, like cattle, are prone to ketosis. Many representatives of dairy goat farms mistakenly believe that ketosis is not common among the dairy goat population. However, our initial studies of the prevalence of ketonemia among the population showed that at least 40% of animals in a herd had increased the concentration of ketone bodies in the blood. This fact indicates subclinical ketosis, which is promising for further research. In general, studies of metabolic disorders in dairy goats are not widespread; in this direction, the study of the metabolism of cattle occupies a leading position. The research was carried out on one of the goat farms in the North-West region of Russia. We examined 5% of the total amount of animals at the farm (n=45). Goats were randomly selected, all from the milk group, from 1 to 8 lambing/lactation. Blood was obtained, and the concentration of β-ketones was determined using a FreeStyle Optium Neo glucometer, researched the amount of total protein and its fractions, enzymes, lipids, and bilirubin RL-Clima 15. Analysis of the study results and their comparison with the indicators of the referents revealed the following changes: the concentration of β-ketones in 22 goats (48%) was in the range of 0.6 - 0.9 mmol / L. Further, it was determined: the concentration of total protein was 13% higher than the limiting reference value and amounted to 86.4 ± 4.2 g / l, while no signs of dysproteinemia were observed. The urea level was also higher by 26.8% - 9.29 ± 1.45 mmol / L. The activity of blood enzymes was within the normative values. The total bilirubin concentration was 10.5% higher than the reference value - 5.7 ± 0.25 mmol / L, and the level of cholesterol was within the physiological range - 2.11 ± 0.27 mmol / L. A violation of the calcium-phosphorus ratio was noted. However, the concentrations of these substances were included in the reference values. Thus, it was determined that subclinical ketosis is prevalent up to about 50% among the goat population on a particular farm. Sick animals have protein metabolism disorders - hyperproteinemia without dysproteinemia, and pigment metabolism disorders - hyperbilirubinemia. It should be noted that no violations in the behavior and general condition of the animals were observed, which indicates precisely the subclinical form or stage of the disease. Timely prevention will reduce the percentage of sick animals.