author(s)
V Vijayanand, M Balagangatharathilagar, P Tensingh Gnanaraj and S Vairamuthu

abstract
Periparturient mortality in goats have a great economic impact on the livelihood of marginal farmer. Pregnancy toxaemia in small ruminants occur as a result of negative energy balance consequent to enhanced requirement for glucose by the developing foetuses in the last trimester (last 6 to 4 weeks) of gestation. Among the does treated for various medical conditions at Veterinary University Peripheral Hospital, Madhavaram Milk Colony, Chennai – 51 during the period October 2016 – September 2018, 72 does in their last six weeks of gestation carrying twins / triplets and presented with the history of off feed were subjected to determination of blood beta hydroxybutyric acid (BHBA) level by means of a portable blood ketone and glucose monitoring system and qualitative urinalysis using urine dip stick. Does with beta hydroxybutyric acid level > 0.8 mmol/L and < 1.6 mmol/L were classified as sub clinical pregnancy toxaemic group (n = 12). The control animals were selected from adult Tellicherry does in the age group of 2 to 4 years maintained at Livestock Farm Complex (LFC), Madhavaram Milk Colony, Chennai – 600 051 and a private goat farm (ECR Goat Farm), Injambakkam, Chennai. The sub clinical pregnancy toxaemic group (n = 12) were resorted to treatment with intravenous glucose therapy (5 per cent Dextrose) and oral administration of glycerine for 3-4 days @ 25 ml twice daily supported with parenteral Vitamin B₁, B₆ & B₁₂ therapy with an overall cure rate of 100 per cent. Reliable diagnostic indicators for subclinical form of pregnancy toxaemia include presence of ketone body in urine and blood β-hyroxybutyric acid concentration (≥ 0.8 mmol/L).