Comparative study of hypocalcaemia levels between Canarian breed sheep and majorera breed goat on intensive farming system

Abstract

Hypocalcemia is a well-studied and very common condition in cattle, but it is not as prevalent in small ruminants.The drop in calcium levels usually occurs after parturition and at the onset of lactation, when the demand for this mineral is very high. Clinical signs such as depression and inability to stand are expected. In this study, 20 goats and 10 sheep under the same intensive farming system were evaluated with the aim of assessing their calcium levels 48 hours after giving birth. Age and species were variables considered in order to evaluate whether they are predisposing factors in the occurrence of the disease. As this study reports, there are differences between those species, not attributable to age, as other factors such as prolificacy or dairy production are affecting on the appearance of hypocalcaemia.