If you're breeding goats, you can't tell a doe is pregnant by looking at her.Even though goats don't digest food the way humans do, they can still look pregnant.To know if your goat is pregnant, you need to take a test.You can either take the samples yourself or send them to a lab for testing.Your vet can perform either an x-ray or an ultrasound.
Step 1: You should wash your hands first.
Use soap and warm water to wash your hands.It's important to scrub for at least 20 seconds.The goat has open glands around the teat.You don't want the milk sample to be contaminated.Milk is easier to get than blood, but it only works for people who have given birth before and are used regularly for milk.
Step 2: The goat can be placed on the stand.
You can reach the goat's udder with a milk stand.Help keep the goat happy by giving it food.A treat is even better.The food can be used to lure the goat onto the stand.Fresh weeds, grass, or grain are some of the treats you can use.
Step 3: Take care of the goat's udder.
The goat's udder should be wiped down with warm water and gentle soap to keep the milk sample free ofbacteria.Remove the teats and rinse the udder with warm water.A dash of castille soap or a small amount of bleach can be used.You can find udder-cleaning wipes at your feed store.
Step 4: The goat needs milk.
Push the milk down into the teat.The teat should be squeezed down to move the milk down.You don't need to pull or yank.The milk can be caught in a bowl or bucket.The first few squirts are higher inbacteria.
Step 5: Use a clean dipper to send a sample.
The testing company will usually give you a dipper to scoop out milk from your bowl or bucket.The tube should have aPreservative in the bottom that will mix with the milk.Mail the milk as soon as possible after collection.
Step 6: The sample should be labeled for mailing.
Most labs require that you label each sample and load the tubes in a certain way so they are easy to identify.Take the time to read the information in your kit and fill out the requested forms.
Step 7: You should shave your goat.
A device that holds your goat's head in place is a good place to put her.She needs to shave one side of her neck.You should be able to see the vein now.The goat needs to be shaved so you can see her vein.It is the same place as humans.
Step 8: A 20-gauge needle is placed in the top of a sterile needle.
The caps on the needle and the syringe are usually removed.Take the bottom of the needle and put it in the syringe.It should click in place.Take the cap off the needle end once you have it in place.
Step 9: If you want to take blood from the goat, have someone hold it in place.
They should pull the goat in towards them with one hand.The other hand should pull the head in towards them and away from you.A person on the back end is needed to hold her in place.
Step 10: Put enough pressure on the base of the neck to remove the vein.
To apply pressure to the base of the neck, use your hand.You should be able to see the vein above your hand.You should be able to feel the goat's pulse.If you can't get the vein to pop out, move the goat's head away from the side you're working on.
Step 11: Place the needle in the vein.
The needle should be pushed at an angle.The vein should be turned the same way as the needle, but with the syringe closer to the skin than the base of the neck.Don't stick it in at an angle to the goat's skin.You should see blood if you pull the plunger out.Remove the needle from the goat's neck if you have enough blood for the test.You need to try again if you don't see blood.
Step 12: The blood should be put into the sterile tube.
You should have a sterile tube with your kit.The rubber top has a needle in it.The blood should be pulled into the tube because it's a vacuum.When it's done, pull the needle out.The tube should be labeled with the goat's name and date.If you're using a home test, you can simply push a few droplets of blood onto the stick.
Step 13: Send blood or milk to a lab for testing.
You can buy a kit online from them.You fill the kit with blood or milk and send it back to the company.The sample is tested to see if the goat is pregnant.Check out companies like Genex.The tests can cost anywhere from $7 to $20USD.These tests measure estrone sulfate.If you perform estrone sulfate 50 days after conception, it will be more accurate for a positive test.It had an accuracy rate of about 83% before that.It is possible to perform a test as early as 18-22 days after conception.It tends to be more accurate in its negatives.It has an accuracy of 75% in positive tests.
Step 14: You can use a home blood test.
You can order a testing kit online, and it will be sent to you.If your goat is pregnant, you need to take a blood or milk sample.The test should be performed on the 18th and 22nd day after the likely conception.You can do one on the 23rd and 24th day if you miss that window.These are similar to a human home pregnancy test.You put milk or blood on a stick and wait for it to develop.The test is about 5 minutes.You usually buy the kits in bulk.
Step 15: Your vet will perform a blood test for you.
A blood test can be used to check for pregnancies.This test can be done by your vet.If that's an option, you can either take the goat in or have the vet visit your home.The tests are usually cheap.The price is usually $20-$40USD.
Step 16: If you want to get more accurate early on, you should ask your vet to do an Ultrasonics.
Blood tests and milk tests are not the most accurate tests.If your doe is pregnant, your vet can do an abdominal or rectalogram.Some vets have portable machines that they can bring to your farm.Your vet can determine if you are pregnant as early as 20 days after conception by using a rectal ultrasound.Your vet won't be able to hear a heartbeat until 25 days after conception, so an abdominal ultrasound is an accurate way to find out.
Step 17: An x-ray is needed for accuracy during a later pregnancy.
Your vet can perform an x-ray on your goat in about 70 days.They can tell if your goat is pregnant with 100% accuracy at that time.A trip to the vet is required.The vet can tell how many kids the goat will have by counting the skulls.