Goat Bloat

Bloat 
Goat bloat is a serious condition. Do you know what causes it, what it looks like and how to treat it? Below you’ll get a detailed breakdown about this very important subject…
We have experienced goats getting bloat, and have treated them all successfully. This information is just from our experience - we are not vets or professionals. It is what has saved a few goats' lives.
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The normal rumen churns one to four times every minute, and its bacteria produce methane gas continuously. Most of this gas is released as the goat belches. Bloat occurs when the goat is not able to release built-up gas.
When a goat chews food their mouths produce something called bicarbonate. If your goats are eating hay or are in the pasture browsing the pasture grasses available, they are chewing a lot. Which means there is a lot of bicarbonate being produced and consumed. This is a good thing!
But if they are mainly eating grain, especially grain that is highly ground up, or if they are wolfing down their grain without chewing, they are producing very little bicarbonate and any being produced cannot keep up. This is where the problem begins.
This is one reason it is a good idea to have fresh baking soda available for your goats at all times, especially in confined situations. Many of todays Goats need our help providing them with things that will help keep them healthy. They “self medicate” when their body says they need the baking soda and it helps to regulate the delicate balance of their rumen.
There are two main types of bloat: Frothy Bloat and Choke Bloat
Frothy Bloat
Frothy bloat - is caused by a build-up of gases in the rumen. This trapped air starts to put pressure on the heart and lungs. And left untreated, will end in death.
Choke Bloat (Free gas bloat)
Choke bloat - is caused by something, an obstruction, being caught in the throat of the goat.
Symptoms and Causes
Certain goat diets—especially fresh, green alfalfa—will cause the gas to form tiny bubbles that become trapped in the rumen fluid. This may produce a frothy bloat. The tiny bubbles cannot be released in a natural belch, and the condition progresses rapidly until the rumen is grossly distended and the goat is extremely uncomfortable.

When a goat is bloated, the left side will be hard, and the right side will feel "airy."

The goat’s rumen will swell, and the goat may kick at its left side while it grunts and slobbers. The goat may continually get up and then lay back down. If not treated promptly, bloat can lead to death. The position of the goat may also cause bloat. If the goat lies on its side, the opening between the rumen and esophagus will be low and the natural gas pocket in the rumen will be above it. The gas is again trapped and the rumen becomes painfully distended.
When a goat is bloated, the left side will be hard, and the right side will feel "airy." The goat will be much wider/bigger looking than normal and will usually not want to walk or move around very much. Thus, bloated. Bloat is usually caused by goats either eating too much grain or to fast or getting out on new lush green pasture (that they are not use to). Bloat is a very serious condition and needs to be treated immediately.
How to treat Bloat in a goat
Treatment is obvious—the gas must be allowed to escape. Position the goat on a steep incline (at least a 45-degree angle) with the front legs higher than the rear. This elevates the opening between the esophagus and the rumen and will often be all that is necessary to relieve a positional bloat.
For treatment, there are a few ways to go.

1. Durvet Bloat Treatment – There are many brands of bloat treatment for goats and cattle. The dosage is normally on the bottle.
2. Durvet Bloat Treatment - If I do not have the above, give about ½ cup of Oil (mineral, corn, etc.), and two big spoonful’s of Baking Soda to the Oil, and drench it down the goat’s throat. (With a drench gun). Do this slowly and carefully so you do not get it down the goat’s windpipe.  
3. Mineral oil or milk of magnesia (2 to 3 ounces) will help relieve a frothy bloat by breaking the tiny bubbles to form one large gas pocket, which can be relieved normally. Once the medicine has been administered, massaging the abdomen and walking the goat will help with proper mixing and breakdown of the bubbles. Relief from frothy bloat should be evident within one hour of administration of the medication.
   4.      Give C&D ANTITOXIN (NOT CD&T TOXOID). This will not hurt the goat. It is a water soluble, and this if it is not needed in the gut, the goat will pee it out. This helps balance the rumen and calms things down. A lot of the time, after a goat has bloat, a few days later they will come down with Enterotoximia, and that is a very fast, life threatening situation also. If it is an adult goat, I give about 10 cc of C&D ANTITOXIN, sub-Q, a couple times until they recover. With a kid, I would give about 3-5 cc.
   5.      Along with bloat, some goats will also get diarrhea. You can let it run its course, just make sure the goat is staying hydrated and offer them electrolytes a few times a day.
   If these treatments do not work, your vet may need to pass a tube into the goat’s stomach to release the pressure in the rumen while giving the medicine a chance to work.

Prevention
Do not confuse a full rumen with bloat. The rumen lies on the left side of the goat. True bloat will cause a tense, firm swelling in the left flank, and the goat will be in obvious distress. However, some goats will eat a big meal and look bloated, but they are comfortable and can easily belch or bring up a cud, assuring you they’re happy and healthy. To prevent bloat, feed balanced rations and make dietary changes gradually, and prevent goats from overeating.
I hope this helps. Again, this is just our experience. We are not veterinarians or professionals.

Blessings,
Margarita & Stace