Bloat?

[Dreamgoat Annie]

We don't have a huge problem with bloat--none of my goats has ever bloated and sheep, only twice in 9 years. However, the second time with sheep was last evening, so I have bloat on my mind and I'd appreciate tips on what to do if a goat bloats.

We dosed my ewe with bicarb and oil and walked her for an hour or so with no relief, then gave her a dose of milk of magnesia. She started belching not long after that. I walked her on and off until about 1 AM and could walk no more, so I went to bed and when I got up at 5 AM, she was right as rain.

Note that this was not frothy bloat--there is nothing on our property rich enough to cause that--and I really can't pinpoint why Raven bloated.

So. What do you folks do when a GOAT bloats? Beyond oil with bicarb and keeping them moving? I'd like to put together an emergency info file on bloat, just in case.

Thanks!

Sue

[Cannon_Farms]

I use gas x strips, massage and baking soda, if needed and no other alternative is available Id keep a 1.5in 18 gauge needle on hand just in case you have to deflate manually.
If you are comfortable you can tube them, tubing can easily be obtained but you have to know what you are doing, even vets can drown something and not mean too. Drench that way with mineral oil.
May folks are saying give a soda because the carbonation helps them burp, I can see the theory working but at the same time I dont like adding gas to gas.

[Cannon_Farms]

Mine usually bloat from change of hay types, or just too much of one certain browse.

[finnsheep]

Sheep and goats in my experience are usually exactly the same when it comes to bloat. I might add that it seems like goats do not frothy bloat as readily. This may not be true for everybody. Use the same treatments and if possible, avoid the same practices and feeds that can cause it.

I've not found sodium bicarb to be very effective, but the oil works well. If it's an acidosis/bloat case, then baking soda is helpful. But other people swear by it for any bloat case.

[Backfourty,MI.]

I always have Gas X in my goat medicine cabinet. That & baking soda, rubbing & walking has always worked well for me but I don't usually have a big problem with it other than early in the spring when everything is greening up nice & they aren't used to all the fresh stuff. They have baking soda out 24/7 & I don't usually have to intervene but have had to give the Gas X & rub the sides.

I do keep a bottle of Bloat release in the cupboard too but so far have never needed to use it.

[mammabooh]

I have Bloat Release in the cupboard, but haven't had to use it yet. I sure hope it works if I ever DO have to use it.

[Dreamgoat Annie]

Thanks, everyone. I'm going to print this out...and hope I never need it for my goats (or for any more sheep, for that matter).

Sue

[PKBoo]

When you say 'rub' their sides - do you mean rub, or PUSH in and massage?

I've had one ewe that gets bloaty in the spring, so I 'burp' her when her side starts sticking out too far for my liking.

I have her against a wall, and use the palm of my hand to really push into her rumen, until I get a burp out of her (or several). Is this right????

The first time she bloated, I read what to do, gave her oil, and 'massaged' her, and she was burping up a storm. So now I do the 'massage' thing first - not sure if this is right, but it's been working for me... hopefully it's not harmful...

[Goat Servant]

One case here. Gave him about a half cup or so veggie oil, walked walked massaged rumen much like PKboo. Walked some more. Massage is not done gently at all.

[Dreamgoat Annie]

Yes, people at my sheep list talk about massaging firmly. We did some of that for Raven, I forgot to mention that. Though after giving the milk of magnesia I'd have had to crook her leg to catch her again as she decided we did not have her best interests in mind. So I just followed her and we kept walking--for hours.

The amazing thing (to me) is that the MOM did not cause her to scour. If I'd taken that shot of MOM I'd still be parked in the bathroom.

Sue