Hydrops uteri in a caprine doe pregnant with goat-sheep hybrid fetuses

A 5-year-old caprine doe was examined for abdominal enlargement and inability to stand. Hydrops uteri was diagnosed via ultrasonography, and was determined to be the cause of hind limb paresis. The placentomes appeared to be abnormal in shape and number. Uterine fluid electrolyte concentrations were similar to fluid from cows and sheep with hydrops amnion. Two fetuses were dead at the time of induced parturition. Hydrops uteri is rare in goats and, in the goat of this report, was believed to be caused by pregnancy with an unusual goat-sheep hybrid. The placental abnormalities discovered by ultrasonography may have been responsible for the abnormal accumulation of fluid, but a fetal abnormality also was considered to be possible.