The pooch test is one of the ways to confirm the doe’s pregnancy status. A lot has been said about it, but not many few people know what it means and how to do it.
Hence, we will cover everything about the pooch, including its meaning, pregnancy stages, effectiveness, how it works, costs, etc.
Contents
What Is goat pooch test
The pooch test is one of the methods by which goat owners and livestock farmers know if their goat is pregnant or not.
Pooch pregnancy test involves checking the vulva to ascertain the goat’s gestational status. Most livestock keepers believe goats with puffy vulvae are pregnant, especially if they exhibit other symptoms in pregnant symptoms.
How does pooch test work
The pooch test doesn’t require many processes or stages. All you need to do is to observe the vulva and detect any change in the goat’s appearance and features.
Is Pooch Pregnancy Test Effective
Though the Pooch pregnancy test is efficient, it doesn’t guarantee 100% accuracy because some goats’ vulvae are naturally puffy.
You won’t get an accurate result if you conduct the test on such goats.
Similarly, the pooch pregnancy test isn’t the best option for people who don’t understand their goat’s physical attributes.
Most pooch tests are ineffective until the latter stages of the goat pregnancy because some goats won’t develop a puffy vulva until the fourth month of the gestation period.
Stages of goat pregnancy you should know
Goats’ gestation shouldn’t exceed 150 days, meaning all goats should give birth to their kids in 5 months.
However, some goats give birth two or three days earlier, while others give birth two or three days late. Let’s analyze the goat’s gestation period and see what transpires in the doe’s belly.
0 — 30 days
There are no obvious changes in the doe’s physical appearance at this stage of the pregnancy. There is no tension on the cervix wall within the first 25 days of pregnancy.
Likewise, there is no hypertrophy in the vagina in the pelvic cavity. The foetus isn’t up to 1/2 inches; you can only see the kid’s facial features via sonogram or ultrasound scan.
45 —75 Days
The doe’s belly will experience a slight change because the baby has developed a bit more than in the previous stage.
The Fetus should be at least 1-inch long featuring eyelids, short legs, and a growing neck. It should also weigh 1/4 ounce at this stage of the gestation period.
75 — 105 days
Expect tremendous growth during this stage. The baby should be 2.5 inches long and should weigh about 4 ounces.
The baby goat will develop hairs around the eyes and mouth between the 75th and 105th day.
105 — 120 Days
Most goats have big bellies during this stage due to the Fetus’ size and mass.
The unborn kid should be longer than 3 inches while weighing at least 18 ounces if all things work out well.
Likewise, the goat will have hairs growing all over its body during this stage.
120 —147 Days
The goat pooch pregnancy test is effective in this stage because most goats will exhibit other pregnancy symptoms. Watch out for a puffy vulva and other symptoms when the pregnancy is 120 days old.
The kid has completed its leg development, while the fur coat has fully grown and is ready to withstand the world’s weather.
The kid should weigh at least 2 lbs in this stage, while its length should be 6 inches or longer.
147 — 150 Days
This is the last stage of the gestation period. The kid weighs close to 4
lbs before birth.
The unborn kid will have erupted teeth and mature organ systems during this phase before birth.
As stated earlier, the goat should give birth between the 147th and 153rd day; if all things turn out fine.
When do pregnant goats start showing?
Goat pregnancy will start showing in the 6th or 7th week. It begins with a swollen or enlarged udder followed by a firm or tight belly.
The stomach will increase after two or three months, depending on the goat’s body structure and physical attributes.
The vulva will also swell and change to a dark pink colour. However, this will occur in the third or fourth month.
How to tell if a goat is pregnant or just fat
You can know a pregnant goat by looking for some goat’s pregnancy symptoms, including reduced milk production, increased appetite, snoring, and increased size.
- Heat cycle
Considering the goat’s heat cycle is another way to know if your goat is pregnant. Your goat is pregnant if she isn’t interested in mating or any sexual activities three weeks after the last mating.
This method is only effective when you know the last time the goat mated with a male counterpart.
Meanwhile, we advise you pay attention to the goat’s medical conditions because illness could lead to disinterest in sexual activities.
- Long Vagina
You can equally confirm the goat’s pregnancy state from the anus and vagina. The vagina of a pregnant goat is a bit far from the tail, while the vagina will appear longer than normal
However, you won’t observe these physical changes until your goat is two or three months pregnant.
- Reduced Milk Production
A pregnant dairy goat tends to produce lesser milk during the gestation period. Hence, observe the goat’s milk production level and see if there is a slight decline.
- Enlarged Udder
Check the udder for more conviction. A goat with a big belly, an enlarged udder, and reduced milk production is pregnant.
- Snoring
Though all goats snore when sleeping, pregnant goats snore harder and louder. Keep close tabs on goats with fat belly and see if they snore louder than normal. Goats exhibiting the snoring behaviour and other signs discussed above are pregnant.
- Ultrasound Scan
You can also know when your goat is pregnant via an ultrasound scan. Also known as a sonogram, ultrasound is a noninvasive imaging technology that allows you to view the goat’s organs, tissues and other internal components, including the unborn baby.
Avoid the guesswork by conducting an ultrasound scan on your goat.
How can you tell if a goat is pregnant with a stethoscope?
You can detect your goat’s pregnancy status using a stethoscope. It is one of the methods veterinarians deploy to determine goat’s pregnancy status.
A stethoscope is a medical tool doctors use to hear people’s heartbeat and lungs. Veterinarians also use it on animals to determine their heart rates.
You can use the stethoscope to observe the unborn baby’s heart rate. Place the stethoscope probe on the goat’s right abdomen to hear the kid’s heartbeat.
Your goat ISN’T pregnant if there is no impulse or heartbeat from the baby. We recommend the stethoscope method as it is affordable and guarantees top-notch accuracy.
Do human pregnancy tests work on goat?
Firstly, you must know that there are two ways to detect pregnancy in humans. They include urine and blood tests.
There are conflicting answers to this question. Some say human pregnancy tests won’t work on goats, while others suggest some kits work well with goats.
Many veterinary service providers have launched some kits that could help farmers determine a goat’s pregnancy status via urine test.
Emlarbgenetics suggests that the P-TEST strip is one of the tools that allow you to know your goats’ state via their urine. According to them, P-TEST guarantees 92% accuracy, which isn’t bad.
Nonetheless, we advise you choose a tested-and-trusted method compatible with your goat. Don’t try any kit without a strong conviction or your vet’s advice.
Can we use pregnancy test kit on goat?
Yes, you can use a pregnancy test kit on a goat as long as it’s safe for your goat.
Enzyme-linked immunoassay Pregnancy Test Kit from IDEXX Laboratories Inc is one of the licensed pregnancy test kits compatible with cattle, sheep, goats, and buffalo.
The BioPRYN Kit is another pregnancy kit suitable for your goats. This kit ensures early pregnancy detection via a blood test.
With 90% accuracy, this kit measures the presence of PSPB in the goat’s blood sample. Read more about this kit here.
Which is the best indicator the goat is pregnant?
All the symptoms mentioned above are good indicators, but the stethoscope method is arguably the best way to confirm your goat’s pregnancy state.
A big and tight belly comes next to the stethoscope method. It’s easy to identify a pregnant goat judging by the stomach size and tightness.
An enlarged udder is the third-best sign to indicate a pregnant goat, especially if the dairy goat doesn’t produce milk like before.
How much does a goat ultrasound cost?
The cost of a goat ultrasound depends on many factors, including size, breed, place, and conditions. However, the average cost of an ultrasound scan for a goat should be around $100.
Sources
https://www.jefferspet.com/early-pregnancy-detection-kit-sheep-goat/p
https://www.emlabgenetics.com/product-page/p-test-strip-sheep-goat-1
https://www.waldeneffect.org/blog/Goat_pregnancy_pooch_test/
https://www.agrifarming.in/goat-pregnancy-signs-symptoms-stages-a-full-guide/
https://tripment.com/blog/how-much-does-an-ultrasound-cost
https://kambingjoynim.com/en/how-to-detect-pregnancy-in-goats/
