The composition of plasma and interstitial fluid of goats with swelling disease

Angora goats may develop a characteristic ventral oedema of the subcutaneous tissue which is not unlike the 'wet-carcass syndrome' of sheep. The plasma of oedematous goats shows a lower total protein concentration, a lower colloid osmotic pressure and a lower albumin: globulin ratio than that of normal goats. Similarly, interstitial fluid of oedematous goats has a lower protein concentration, osmolality and colloid osmotic pressure than the fluid from normal but a similar albumin:globulin ratio. These results suggest that, unlike the 'wet-carcass syndrome' of sheep, the most likely explanation for the oedema is hypoproteinaemia which leads to filtration of fluid and an increased capillary permeability.