Bloat & Choke

Bloat is generally rare and is an emergency when it does present. A goat with bloat that is not corrected will usually die within minutes. I’ve seen one case of bloat within several years, caused by eating grain too quickly, and successfully treated it by drenching vegetable oil a few times and having the goat stand with her feet elevated on a concrete block to help her belch. Prior to treatment, the doe was in obvious pain and was writhing on the ground, not eating or chewing cud. 

A non-pregnant goat with a very large belly that is still eating, drinking, pooping, and acting comfortable has probably just been stuffing their belly with hay and forage all day! 

Mastitis can present in a variety of ways. Sometimes the only sign is an uneven udder and high somatic cell count (note that these can also be attributed to other causes so this is where collecting a sterile milk sample for culture before treatment is important!). Sometimes the goat can have more classic symptoms such as edema in the udder half with little to no milk expression, milk that is off colored or watery or even has an odor, skin of the udder that is hot to touch, pain, and fever. 

If the goat is experiencing serious or especially life-threatening mastitis including with sepsis, I would recommend collecting a sample(s) first then treating IMMEDIATELY with broad spectrum antibiotics including intramammary if applicable although a systemic antibiotic will be needed in the case of suspected sepsis (infection in the bloodstream), banamine, and other treatments as needed. Once the culture and sensitivity results from the milk sample, you can work with your vet to select the best antibiotic regimen for the bacteria causing the infection. Most meds are script now so it’s very important to have a good working relationship with your vet. A good vet may also be able to help choose an appropriate antibiotic based on description of symptoms and color and odor of the milk. 

To collect the sterile sample, I use either a sterile collection container (this is easiest and can be ordered even from Amazon) or a red top blood collection tube with the top carefully removed to avoid contamination. Wash your hands thoroughly with warm water and soap for at least 20 seconds first, if dirty clean the udder/teats well with warm soap water or baby wipes first, let dry, then apply a strong teat dip - a diluted iodine solution usually works well. After this stays on for the manufacturer recommend length of time, I apply gloves, clean the tip of the teat with alcohol, relieve a squirt or two of milk, then milk into the sterile container and carefully close. After the sample is collected, it needs to be shipped overnight on ice to a lab such as WADDL or BADDL. Bonus - the BADDL mastitis price includes testing for mycoplasma. Make sure that if growth results that isn’t suspected for contamination that it is tested for antibiotic sensitivity so that you can use an effective antibiotic. 

Supportive treatment I will use in addition to  antibiotics and banamine including milking out the affected side as frequently as possible, hot compresses with udder massage, and dynamint or other similar udder rub. I also like to give probiotics and often even ulcerguard during continued use of antibiotics and banamine as well. IV antibiotics or other vet consulting treatment may also be needed as well as appetitive support. Infections can also lead to other issues related to the immune system including parasite overloads during this time so keep a close eye and treat for other issues as needed 

There are many serious chronic infectious diseases that can be seen in goats. The most commonly tested for diseases include CAE, which we blood test for annually, Johnes, which we prefer to test for every few years by sending pooled fecals for PCRs, and CL, which we usually only test for by collecting exudate from any abscesses. Some people also test for Q Fever. Other diseases which are just as worrisome but not often thought of include mycoplasma and staph aureus mastitis. These are all reasons to be very selective of goats that are purchased and brought in. 

Genetics and management both play a role in the development of UC. Management of bucks and wethers is the most important prevention of UC.

All goats need a balanced calcium:phosphorous ratio of 2:1-4:1 with calcium being the highest in proportion for their overall ration, including hay, grain, minerals, and browse. A calcium or phosphorous ratio that is too high or too low increases the risk for UC, and due to the shape and length of their urinary tract, bucks and wethers are at increased risk complications and death from UC. Browse, grass, and grass hay tend to be higher in phosphorous while legume hay, balanced goat specific grain rations, and beet pulp are higher in calcium. Always check feed labels of any grain or mineral and consider the ratio of calcium and phosphorous for the overall ration including forage, browse, pasture, and hay.

Some breeders also “pulse dose” ammonium chloride in their herds by drenching or mixing it in the feed about five days each month.

For wethers, research seems to be indicating that later castration is best if the animal is not dedicated for early market. For one, castrating as late as possibly (for us, 12 weeks old) allows the goat to reach sexual maturity and the ability to extend the pizzle. Access to be able to cut the pizzle is important if the animal develops UC later. Secondly, some authorities believe later castration allows testosterone fueled growth to enlarge the urinate tract, making the passage of stones easier.

If a male goat develops UC as exhibited by inability to urinate or merely dribbling and displays of discomfort, treatment is critical. You can give AC, but cutting the “pizzle” is vitally important. A vet might possibly be able to place a urinary catheter, but this is difficult due to the anatomy of the urinary tract.
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If the obstruction is unable to be cleared, the goat will suffer and be in tremendous pain. At this point, humane euthanasia should be strongly considered.

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