The relationship of heart-girth to liveweight of female goats in New Zealand.
The correlations between heart-girths (measured as the smallest thoracic circumference) and liveweight were determined for 96 Saanen, 100 Angora and 101 feral female goats all of New Zealand origin. The correlation coefficients were 0.94, 0.94 and 0.90 for Saanens, Angoras and ferals respectively. To facilitate liveweight estimation for calculating doses of non-mineralised anthelmintics and to minimise under-dosing it is suggested that a straight-line equivalent of the upper 95% confidence curve be used. Care should be exercised in using girth measurements in small animals where the error could be high. They are not recommended for use when mineralised drenches or potentially dangerous drugs are being administered.
Pomroy
W E
WE
Department of Veterinary Pathology and Public Health, Massey University, Palmerston North.
Chalmers
K
K
Charleston
W A
WA