But what exactly are the causes of constipation, what are some typical symptoms you should look out for, how exactly do you treat/get rid of it, and is it possible to prevent it from occurring?
We are going to answer all of these questions and more as we dive deeper into the topic of can goats get constipated.
Let’s get into it!
Can goats get constipated?
The answer to this question is yes, goats can get constipated, but it is not very common and doesn’t happen very often.
Constipation refers to infrequent bowel movements and the inability to pass stools easily.
The frequency of regular pooping for healthy goats varies but your goat should be pooping at least once a day.
Constipation usually occurs as a by-product of a larger issue and, if you suspect that your goat is constipated, you should check for larger issues as well.
Constipation can make your goat very uncomfortable and is detrimental to the overall health of your goat.
In general, the pooping habits of goats can tell you a lot about the current state of their health and whether or not they are getting a sufficient number of vitamins and minerals in their diet.
Causes of constipation
While it is rare for goats to get constipated it is still possible and is caused by a multitude of reasons.
Intestinal blockage
An intestinal blockage is an obstruction that is stopping food or liquids from passing through your goat’s intestines and causing them to get stuck in the body.
Intestinal blockages can be caused due to certain medications and some typical signs of this ailment, in addition to constipation, include severe belly pain and vomiting.
If your goat is exhibiting any of these other signs, then their constipation may be due to an intestinal blockage.
Pregnancy toxemia
Pregnancy toxemia, also known as pregnancy disease, is a metabolic disease found in pregnant ruminants.
It is caused by low blood sugar and abnormal metabolism of carbohydrates and fats that occur in the latter stages of pregnancy.
This may lead to your goat becoming constipated in addition to the other symptoms that it will be going through.
If you suspect that your goat is experiencing this, contact your vet immediately.
Dehydration
Dehydration is a common source of constipation and occurs when you are not consuming enough fluids throughout the day.
When your goat becomes dehydrated, its intestines are not able to add enough water to the stools which can result in hard, dry, and lumpy stools and can rapidly lead to constipation.
Lack of fiber in diet
A poor diet is one of the main causes of constipation.
Not consuming foods that provide the essential and basic types and amounts of vitamins and minerals that your goat needs can lead to them becoming constipated.
One thing that is essential to include in your goat’s diet is fiber.
If your goat’s diet is lacking in fiber, constipation is likely to occur and this will result in your goat being very uncomfortable.
How to tell if your goat is constipated
The symptoms of constipation are very similar to that of other ailments so it can be difficult to tell whether or not your goat is constipated simply by looking.
It is still worth knowing these signals and signs, however, as this will allow you to notice when something is wrong with your goat and be able to act accordingly.
Your goat is not pooping
A bit obvious yes, but the fact of the matter is, if you haven’t seen your goat poop in a while there is a good chance that it is constipated or there is something else wrong with them.
Inspect your goat immediately for any issues and try to work out what the cause is.
Your goat is eating too many treats
Yes, eating too many treats can result in your goat becoming constipated.
Goats need a regular nutritious diet and, if they are eating too many things that are bad for them this can result in them becoming constipated.
The types of treats you are giving your goat can also be having an effect on your goat’s bowel movements and habits.
Some foods are very bad for you and not every goat is going to be able to eat every type of food. Ensure that the treats you are giving your goat are appropriate and safe for them to eat.
How to get rid of constipation in your goat
The causes of constipation, for the most part, are not quick or easy things to fix and represent larger and more serious issues facing your goat.
The first form of treatment for constipation, therefore, should be to contact your vet and consult with them to get a professional opinion as to what the cause of the problem is and how to get rid of it.
Other than that, one popular remedy for constipation is the use of an enema.
An enema, also known as a clyster, is an injection of fluid designed to flush out your system into the lower bowels through the rectum.
There are many goat-safe enemas that you can purchase, and this represents a quick and easy way to clear a blockage and give your goat some temporary relief.
It must be noted that this is not a cure or a long-term solution for constipation and only represents a temporary solution used to buy time while you try to solve the bigger issue.
How to prevent your goat from getting constipated
As constipation is so rare and your goat will probably be experiencing a different and/or more serious ailment before they become constipated, it can be difficult to prevent and hard to prepare for.
There are a couple of things you can do to help prevent or lower the possibility of your goat getting constipated.
Monitor their diet
One of the main reasons that goats become constipated is due to a poor diet.
A goat should have a regular diet that consists of the things that are healthy for them and a regular supply of water.
What exactly is a goat’s regular diet?
A goat’s normal diet consists mainly of bulk foods such as hay and pastures such as clovers.
They also eat grains but too many grains may result in health problems for the goat and should, therefore, only be given to them in small quantities.
When it comes to preventing constipation in your goats, you should be including foods that are high in fiber into your goat’s diet.
Fiber is one of the best ways to help your goats poop consistently and there are many healthy foods that are high in fiber and can be very beneficial to your goat.
Give them more water
As mentioned above, dehydration is one of the causes of constipation.
Dehydration is the cause of many other issues that affect your goat, but it is, luckily, one of the easiest things to fix.
It is very important to ensure that your goats have a constant supply of clean water and are drinking enough throughout the day.
In conclusion, yes, goats can get constipated.
Constipation is, however, rare in goats, and when it does occur it is usually an indicator of a larger issue that is affecting your goat.
The causes of constipation all reflect this idea and, if you suspect that your goat is constipated, contact your vet immediately and consult with them to determine the cause of the issue and the best way moving forward to solve them.
While it is hard to plan for constipation there are still a few ways that you can help prevent constipation from occurring.
These solutions are mainly diet-related and involve staying properly hydrated and consuming enough fiber.
If noticed early enough, constipation is simple to treat and deal with but the longer you leave it/ don’t notice there is an issue the more troublesome the problem becomes.
Stay vigilant with all of your goat’s behaviors so that you can act accordingly and in good time to any issues that may arise.