The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Livestock => Goats => Topic started by: maddy on May 12, 2013, 09:21:26 am

Title: Possible bloat?
Post by: maddy on May 12, 2013, 09:21:26 am

Hi everyone I seem to be having a few worries with my girls at the moment.

About 2 weeks ago Amber my boer who has 2 week old twins gobbled her concentrate down quickly and then developed bloat.  She was very swollen left side, arching her back, staggering around and generally very uncomfortable.  When the vet came she put a needle in and released a small amount of air and a little greeny frothy stuff.  Gave her a drench, some metacam and buscopan.  After that she was back to normal.

This morning I went to feed them and she hadnt eaten anything and was looking as if she had bloat again.  Called the vet (Sunday call out!!!) who said it was unusual to get bloat again so quickly but stuck a needle in got same greeny mixture out, gave her antibiotics this time as said it could be an infection but said he didnt really know.

I have penned her up with her kids and just given her hay to eat.  She is chewing the hay and looking much happier. 

The vet said perhaps it was the grass which was coming through quickly now.

Has anyone got any ideas as I am quite worried about her.

Many thanks.

Title: Re: Possible bloat?
Post by: Roxy on May 12, 2013, 12:26:00 pm

Bloat is an issue with the grass, and especially if its wet,too.Causes the goat much distress, and can kill if not caught in time.
 
Last week,one of our pygmy boys pigged himself, and was all bloated with the grass.  I gave him a tablespoon of bicarb in warm water, and he drank it,massaged his sides, and he burped, and once the gas had gone, he was as right as rain.  If this does not work, a longnecked bottle, with yogurt, sunflower oil and ginger gently trickled down the throat, if the goat coughs, then stop.  Cream crackers are good if nothing else available!!
 
I always make sure the goats eat hay before turning out on to the grass, and leave some in the hayracks - that way they have a lining on their stomach before the new grass.  I also restrict the hours they are out, as sometimes they come in with massive bellies, especially the smaller goats!!