ok, bloat or paranoid?

[heavyrebel]

SO, our two Alpines are living a good life now. Good food, coastal hay, minerals, baking soda...and until this last week, Alfalfa.

WE gave them alfalfa hay last week, which they were used to having from their previous owner and from us, but this time they both incurred bloat. Lethargic, not getting up when we came in and gassy. Very solid on left side, both sides really. WE did baking soda and oil, massaged them and they passed gas from both ends. Momma had slight scours a couple times but was then ok. Did this every hour or so until they seemed normal and we went to bed. Were fine the next day. We cut out the new bale of very green alfalfa and switched to pellets. Were good till tonight...I think..I might be paranoid now...

When I came in this evening to check on them, momma was a little slow in getting up. When she did she looked larger and more solid than normal. Her left is pretty solid but not terrible. Massaged some gas out and did same for our yearling. Now, both are pregers and momma is due in a month. They are eating fine, no problem there. They would like more food, for sure.

AM I just paranoid or should I be worried about something else? C and D T should be here Wed, but they were vaccinated 10 months ago according to the last owner. Is it possible they are just eating a lot of grass and then feed? They would eat a ton of alfalfa if I let them...they LOVE it, but we only top dress their food with the pellets now.

Ideas?

[CaliannG]

Pellets are better than hay for many reasons.

It is pretty obvious that your alfalfa hay was baled too green and not cured properly, which can cause some bad fermenting to go on, HOWEVER, a change in feed practices can also cause bloat when goats are not used to the new feed.

I'd keep an eye on them, at least until you change over. Pellets are nearly completely dehydrated and then pressure packed, so they expand in the rumen.

You might try soaking them just before you feed them, so that they have already expanded. ~smiles~ Now, my goats won't TOUCH soaked pellets, they want it dry or not at all, but others have had good luck with soaking. It depends upon the goat.

Also, if they have just been turned out on new, lush, spring pasture, that will also explain the bloating.

Edited to add: I free-feed my goats alfalfa pellets, and have no problems. HOWEVER, I would not turn a goat who was un-used to being free-ded pellets loose on the feeder either. Slow and steady is the rule for changing feeding regimes, whether that be turning them on fresh pasture, or changing a pellet diet.

[SpiderLegs]

Are you graining them?

If they are swollen on BOTH sides then they are just eating well and the rumen is functioning perfectly. Mine look pregnant after eating in the fields all day during the summer and then coming in for pellets too, that they eat like they are starving. Then its hours of lazing around chewing cud, belching kisses and farts to raise the roof. They are miniature methane factories and if we could harvest it and sell it to city folks to heat their houses with we would not have any money problems.

The oil is what gave her liquid poop.

If your alfalfa is green, green, then make sure it is not third cutting, that is the rich stuff we hoard for new moms and sick goats, because it is so rich.

[Donna1982]

My goats look bloated after they eat. I watch a few minutes and make sure everyone is chewing cuds before I go to bed.

[heavyrebel]

ok...seems they are now just eating well since they get up when i come in and walk around and are hoping I'll have more food. They had bloat i am certain last week, and that's why we switched to the pellets, I will keep adding it slowly, I did add more than I probably should have yesterday afternoon so they may have been gassy and full...seem fine this am, ate well, and are happy. Look pretty round, but round all over.

So, can I safely assume:

if they are eating well, round on both sides, chewing cud and getting up like htey normally would they are ok?

[heavyrebel]

BTW..thanks everyone.

They are eating grass, hay and Purina Goat Chow, Alfalfa pellets and occasional treats. Any added suggestions?