The Goat Spot Forum banner

Constipated Doe - Stress?

927 Views 18 Replies 7 Participants Last post by  Goats Rock
Three days ago we had to bring our horses home because it wasn't working out on our leased pasture. Now my adult Nigerian Dwarf doe seems to be constipated -- obviously straining to poop and nothing coming out. She is eating, acting normal other than that, drinking, and peeing.

I'm going to give her an enema right now (out of MOM). I'll start her on probiotics, which I realize I should have been proactive about knowing that the addition of animals would be a stressful situation (the goats are able to get away from the horses to their own pen with food/water, btw), but, I was under some stress myself and lacked the foresight.

So does this seem like an ok treatment, and can stress cause a goat to become constipated? Thanks.
1 - 19 of 19 Posts
Update -- I just did the enema and she definitely has a big ball of poop up there. I tried to use my finger to gently break it up after inserting the soapy water, but wasn't able to get much; however it did feel dry inside the blockage. I'm going out to get MOM.

I'm encouraged the she still acts fine, other than straining to poop.
Just got back from the store and there are two new large clumps of poop, but she's still straining. I gave her a dose of MOM and put electrolytes/vitamins in her water (free choice).
  • Like
Reactions: 1
Could be from stress but may be a good idea to get a fecal done!
Is she getting fiber, hay/forage, in her diet? Is she drinking plenty of water? Are the horses keeping her away from the hay and water or is she timid of the horses and isn't going to eat or drink? Is she getting into the feed put out for the horses?
Is she getting fiber, hay/forage, in her diet? Is she drinking plenty of water? Are the horses keeping her away from the hay and water or is she timid of the horses and isn't going to eat or drink? Is she getting into the feed put out for the horses?
Yes to plenty of fiber, hay/forage...yes, we've seen her drinking yesterday and today. The goats are able to access their own pen without the horses where they have hay and water, plus she's free to go out and forage, which she does. The horses' feed is not left out - they eat it and we remove the buckets.

After the enema and the MOM, she is pooping several large clumps, and I saw her get a pretty good drink of the electrolyte solution. It seems like she's peeing more, but I wonder if that is just an attempt to alleviate the pressure or if there is a urinary or kidney issue that might contribute to the constipation? I'm going to give her a rumen cap.
  • Like
Reactions: 1
Sounds like you are resolving the problem.
Sounds like you are resolving the problem.
I thought so, but she's back to being constipated again. Another enema or MOM?
I'd do both. Are you giving her probiotics as well?
I'd do both. Are you giving her probiotics as well?
I have them, but I just did the rumen cap so I haven't done the probiotics yet. It's a lot of drenching...

What usually causes constipation?
I have them, but I just did the rumen cap so I haven't done the probiotics yet. It's a lot of drenching...

What usually causes constipation?
Can I give the probiotics in the same drench as the MOM?
Not enough water can cause it, dehydration.

Very good advice given by all.
Not enough water can cause it, dehydration.

Very good advice given by all.
Even an adult? And we see her drink...
  • Like
Reactions: 1
Not enough water can cause it, dehydration.

Very good advice given by all.
And does that mean I should drench her with water and/or electrolytes?
  • Like
Reactions: 1
I wouldnt drench her water at all but in a pinch can drench electrolytes however I would fix a few different buckets of fluids like plain water, electrolytes and one with ACV, see what she likes.
Plus plenty of roughage helps.
  • Like
Reactions: 2
Can I give the probiotics in the same drench as the MOM?
I wouldn't, you never know how two different substances could possibly interact when given together.
Doing much better today - pooping and showing no signs of straining. Will keep up the yeast caps and probiotics just to reset the rumen, but I'm encouraged.
  • Like
Reactions: 4
Sometimes, even though buckets look clean- they have a scum in them, and need a really good scrubbing-also, I have found that especially in the summer-
the water hose gets stale water in it after sitting all night. Run the hose a few minutes before filling the buckets. (if you use a hose).
Undetected to us, but goats have pretty good noses, off smelling or off tasting water will make them only drink the bare minimum. They may be drinking, but not as
much as they should. (and this is by no means a criticism on you or your routine- just offering some off the wall suggestions.).
  • Like
Reactions: 1
1 - 19 of 19 Posts
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Top