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Possible sheep bloat-help

3K views 4 replies 2 participants last post by  Th245 
#1 ·
just starting back with sheep after being on a 15 years hiatus. We bought show lambs for my son and are concerned about them. I believe I may have the start of bloat going but am unsure. They aren’t on pasture right now and are getting an alfalfa/grass mix hay with show sheep feed. They get 2 flakes of hay morning and night for 4 sheep. And not much grain. One is a little pig and likes to eat more than the others. I noticed fat bellies today but no signs of pain or distress. They were walked for about a half hour and I gave them a baking soda/water mix (about 12ccs per lamb) and am getting some burps. Will walk again soon. Any ideas or suggestions if I’m going about the right way or am I being hypersensitive? I’ve never delt with this in previous years
 
#2 ·
no signs of pain or distress.
If they aren't in distress they aren't really suffering from "frothy bloat".

A ruminant's belly will often look distended simply because they ferment food in their stomachs, which produces a lot of gas.

If you see one in distress and it's having a lot of trouble breathing, or it has collapsed, drench with a cup to a pint of vegetable oil.

If you don't see near-immediate relief, give another cup or pint.

Keep them up and walking.

Baking soda is better for treating Acidosis, but doesn't do much for bloat.

You can also give human medications like Gas-X or similar products with Simethicone.
Dose at the same rate you would a human.

Giving the oil is usually faster though and any vegetable oil will work.
 
#4 · (Edited)
Any vegetable oil or plain mineral oil will work.
I wouldn't give them anything unless you see obvious signs of distress though.

When giving human medications it's easier to dissolve the pills or gel caps in warm water then drench with that mixture than it is to try and get a pill down their throats.

A small drenching gun is a great tool to keep on hand.
https://www.bing.com/images/search?...-27&sk=&cvid=0FF8D229C4F744859BCAF735105960B0
 
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