A case study of dystocia and abortion in Angora goats

This observational study investigated the incidence of dystocia over 3 years in one commercial Angora goat herd, and the occurrence of spontaneous abortion in one year. The does (N = 41 to 127) were grazed extensively but were shedded overnight during late pregnancy for shearing. The mortality of does and incidence of assistance at parturition was recorded. The incidence of doe mortality (≤3%) and assisted delivery (dystocia) (≤ 9%) in 2022 and 2023 was lower than in 2024 when doe mortality (13.4%) was associated with a high rate of abortion and dystocia (19.7%) in the first week of the predicted kidding period. Abortion in very late pregnancy in 2024 increased doe mortality due to their inability to expel dead, decomposing term kids. While the cause of abortion was not established, stakeholders should be aware of the high risk of abortion with Angoras from non-infectious causes.