Frothy bloat in Goats
Bloat is a common gastrointestinal condition in ruminants that is characterized by the accumulation of gas in the rumen and reticulum. Bloat can occur as a frothy or free gas form.
Frothy bloat occurs due to rapid consumption of high protein, highly digestible feed, resulting in excess amounts of stable foam in the rumen. Free bloat occurs as a result of an obstruction or functional problem that prevents normal release of rumen gas. Free gas form is more common then frothy form in goats.
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| bloat in goat |
Risk Factors:
Allowing goats to graze on bloat-causing forages (alfalfa, sweetclover, red clover, white clover, alsike clover, kura clover, winter wheat).
Symptoms:
- restlessness.
- pacing.
- swollen or distended abdomen.
- painful abdomen.
- overall look of distress.
- excessive drooling.
- panting or rapid breathing.
DIAGNOSIS
- History
- Clinical signs
- Physical exam
Treatment:
DetailsDioctyl sodium sulfosuccinate (DSS) : 15-30 ml administered orally
Poloxalene: 100 mg/kg administered orally
PREVENTION
Only provide low-bloat potential forages
Use a mixture of grass or silage-legumes
ARTICLE REFERENCE:
Barry TN, McNabb WC. The implications of condensed tannins on the nutritive value of temperate forages fed to ruminants. Br J Nutr. (1999)
Tags:
Goat Farming