We've been using ultrasound on our goats for over four years now, but every so often, a case comes along that keeps us scratching our heads. Meadow, one of our does, has been a real puzzle this season.
She was bred through artificial insemination (AI) and is due on February 10th. All the signs point to pregnancy—she hasn’t come back into heat, her milk production has dropped, and her body is behaving as if she’s carrying kids. Yet, despite multiple scans, I haven’t been able to detect a fetus.
Instead, Meadow's ultrasounds reveal massive fluid pockets and an unusual void that appears every time I check. This has led me to believe she is experiencing a pseudopregnancy, also known as a "cloudburst." This condition occurs when a doe’s body mimics pregnancy, complete with hormonal changes and fluid accumulation, but without actual kids.
At this point, my plan is to administer lute (prostaglandin) closer to her due date and see what happens. If it is a pseudopregnancy, she should expel the retained fluid and reset her system for a future breeding.
One thing is for sure — goats will always keep you on your toes! Have you ever dealt with a pseudopregnancy in your herd? I’d love to hear your experiences!
This is so interesting! I have a lot of US experience and I’m so intrigued, looking forward to what develops this weekend.