Biochemical changes in the aetiology of floppy kid syndrome in goat kids

Abstract In the herd, 20 of 75 goat kids born became progressively ill. Twelve affected kids, aged 4–9 days, exhibited muscle weakness, pain without fever, diarrhoea and dehydration. Their health deteriorated rapidly, and within a few hours, one kid died. The results of the blood test revealed severe metabolic acidosis, hypokalaemia and changes in urea concentrations. Floppy kid syndrome was diagnosed. Treatment was initiated to correct the acid–base balance, and all affected kids were temporarily separated from their mothers. All the treated kids recovered. Before the onset of clinical signs, elevated urea concentrations and differences in maternal blood potassium levels were observed. This is the first report on changes in potassium concentrations in periparturient dams of goat kids with and without floppy kid syndrome, as well as the first report on changes in urea concentrations in kids before the onset of clinical signs.