Goat Bloat (What To Look For And How To Treat It!)

I was out tending the goats the other day, and when I was finished, I sat down just to hang out with them for a little while.

As I was petting one of them, I noticed that his stomach and rumen did not feel right.

They felt tight and enlarged, and I was sure it had to be making the goat uncomfortable.

I wasn’t sure what might have been wrong with it, though I knew that it felt like goat bloat—I wasn’t sure how to treat this, so I looked into it.

So, what is goat bloat and how do you treat it?

Bloat is a condition in goats in which they cannot release excess gas through burping. Ruminants like goats tend to expel gas by belching, and sometimes it can build up when they are unable to release it. Baking soda can be a quick way to treat this, although you may need to contact a vet.

Bloat is usually relatively simple to treat, but it’s also potentially fatal if you leave it too long.

It’s also quite common, with goats often facing the problem of bloat.

It’s important to know the signs and how to act on it when you do see the signs.

Let’s look further into this.

 

What is goat bloat?

Bloat is a condition affecting goats in which they are unable to belch.

Ruminants like goats and deer spend a lot more time chewing their food—or their cud—than we do.

They will chew their food, swallow it, then regurgitate it and chew it again.

This leads to a lot of excess gas being produced as a result of this process.

That gas is then, normally, expelled by belching.

What often happens, though, is that the goat is unable to belch.

Thus, the gas gets trapped in their rumen, causing pain and discomfort.

Though we have all experienced bloating in our lives, the fact is it is very different for goats.

They produce a lot more gas as a result of their eating and fermentation of food.

For this reason, goat bloat can actually be fatal if it is not treated in time.

The best thing you can do to keep goat bloat under control is to know the signs and how to identify it in the first place.

 

What are the signs of goat bloat?

Try to imagine what your goat looks like on a normal day.

That will always be an important point of reference.

When your goat has bloat, the rumen will be extended high up the back.

You’ll see it effectively pressed against the underneath of the spine—the parambular fossa.

Your goat will likely display signs of discomfort.

It may be refusing food, it may be lying on the ground and trying to expel the gas.

It will seem weak and sluggish, uninterested in anything.

It will also feel very tight and bloated to the touch.

The rumen will be hard and will almost sound like a drum when touched.

If you notice any of these signs, it’s vital to move quickly to correct it.

 

How do I treat goat bloat?

Here at Goat Owner, we always recommend speaking to a vet. This will ensure you get the best treatment for your goat whatever their condition. 

There are a few ways you can treat bloat, but it will be different depending on the severity of the case.

In most cases, you can use a mixture of baking soda to relieve the symptoms.

If it is a baby goat, then mix one tablespoon of baking soda with warm water, and give it to your goat.

This should help to shift and release the gas, and relieve the symptoms of bloat.

For an adult goat, you may need up to two tablespoons—depending on the breed.

Larger goats will naturally need larger amounts.

You can also use products like Pepto-Bismol or milk of magnesia if the goat is down and not walking around.

Be careful of how much you give them, but this can work.

If you have none of these, you can also try oils, like vegetable oil or olive oil.

If none of these things work, though, or if you are in any doubt whatsoever, you should always speak to a vet.

They will be able to tell you exactly what is going on and then administer treatment themselves.

Though we all want to avoid hefty vet bills, it’s not worth putting your goat’s health and wellbeing at risk.

 

Will goat bloat go away on its own?

No, it almost certainly will not.

This is why it’s so important that you keep an eye on the goat and speak to a vet as soon as you can.

If a goat is not treated for bloat, it can die within only a few hours.

This is an extreme case, but it is not uncommon.

Goat bloat is a serious and life-threatening condition, and many goats will die if left untreated.

It can often go on for a few days, and this is typically caused by parasites in the hay.

Again, there’s not much you can do to treat this on your own.

You should speak to a vet.

 

So, as you can see, goat bloat is quite simple to fix.

If a bit of baking powder won’t do it, then get the vet round as soon as possible and they will be able to set your goat right.

Bloat isn’t always easy to catch, so it’s vital that you are vigilant for it.

Like I say, it is rather common, and it can in many cases lead to death if not treated.

You must take this condition seriously.