Scary sick goat experience. What next?

[missbrit2006]

I came outside today to notice my goat wasn't her self she has diareah real bad and doesn't want to move much just lay down

 

[Chickerdoodle13]

How old is your goat?

 

[missbrit2006]

How old is your goat?

Not sure she followed me home. Just recently I noticed she had utters and had milk so we thought she was pregnant they all of a sudden started forming. I started giving her grain and I think she may of over ate

 

[Chickerdoodle13]

Ah, it is very possible she has developed bloat in response to grain overload. I would definitely consider calling a vet in asap. She will need to be treated if it truly is bloat.

 

[missbrit2006]

Ah, it is very possible she has developed bloat in response to grain overload. I would definitely consider calling a vet in asap. She will need to be treated if it truly is bloat.

What else can I do?

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

If she's bloating mix up some baking soda and water in a syringe and squirt it in her mouth, around a teaspoon or two of baking soda, she should start burping soon, then follow up with some vegetable oil, about two tablespoons, to help things move through. Grain and rations have to be started slowly otherwise they will cause overeaters and will kill your goat. If this is what has happened there is very little you can do, good luck.

 

[cassie]

With simple bloat, the best thing to use is GasX. Works a lot better than the conventional remedies. It is safer, and works fast too. The trouble with oil is if you get any into the lungs, and with a struggling goat that is easy to do, it will cause what is called a mechanical pneumonia. In other words with oil you can cure the bloat and kill the goat. You do need to find out what is causing the problem. In my area because of soil conditions entero was so common that when presented with a sick goat we would often treat for entero and then worry about what else was wrong. If a goat is having digestive issues polio (thiamine deficiency) is a real possiblitity. Thiamine is produced in the rumen and if the rumen is not working properly or if the goat isn't eating enough, it may not produce enough thiamine. Thiamine deficiency causes truly bizarre symptoms such as difficulty moving the hindquarters, paralyses, or the goat acting like it is blind, or pushing the head against the wall. You have to get thiamine from the vet, but large doses of over the counter B complex will help in a pinch. If the rumen is sluggish a subq injection of CalDex will often get things moving again. Calcium causes contraction of the smooth muscles and the rumen is a smooth muscle. It sounds like treatment for both entero and pneumonia is in order and as oldhenlikesdogs pointed out, baking soda is helpful with digestive upsets. It certainly can't hurt.