Sounds like you may want to treat for polio/listeriosis.
HELP! Goat straining to burp and chew cud
This case is so bizarre and I hope someone here can help me out!
My buck went down with barberpole about 2 weeks ago. Lost a lot of muscle and weight in the battle and currently cannot get up on his own. He stands okay and can take a few steps on his own so I am working on rehabbing the muscles. He currently gets two pumps of nutridrench, 5 ml of Probios, Guinness, 2-3ml of vitamin B, blackstrap molasses, electrolyte water, and free choice hay all throughout the day. His fecal is healthy and he eats like a pig! Very bright-eyed and curious, munching on hay throughout the day and putting in a good effort when we work on walking. However, this morning I went out and his head was pinned to his side. He cried when I straightened it. Went out this afternoon and he was flat out on his side. I sat him up and he began burping and chewing his cud. Went straight into eating again. This evening I went out and he was again flat on his again. I straightened him and propped him between the wall and a pile of straw to prevent tipping over. However, his rumen was making alottttt of rumbling noises. Much more than usual. He seemed to be straining to chew his cud but chewed his cud all the same. Continued eating and is still very alert and content. I felt his belly and the upper area feels completely normal but his underbelly is tight and solid. If anyone can shed any light on what is happening here it would be greatly appreciated!
P.S. There are no local vets in my area that will see goats and the nearest one is farther than I can afford.
My buck went down with barberpole about 2 weeks ago. Lost a lot of muscle and weight in the battle and currently cannot get up on his own. He stands okay and can take a few steps on his own so I am working on rehabbing the muscles. He currently gets two pumps of nutridrench, 5 ml of Probios, Guinness, 2-3ml of vitamin B, blackstrap molasses, electrolyte water, and free choice hay all throughout the day. His fecal is healthy and he eats like a pig! Very bright-eyed and curious, munching on hay throughout the day and putting in a good effort when we work on walking. However, this morning I went out and his head was pinned to his side. He cried when I straightened it. Went out this afternoon and he was flat out on his side. I sat him up and he began burping and chewing his cud. Went straight into eating again. This evening I went out and he was again flat on his again. I straightened him and propped him between the wall and a pile of straw to prevent tipping over. However, his rumen was making alottttt of rumbling noises. Much more than usual. He seemed to be straining to chew his cud but chewed his cud all the same. Continued eating and is still very alert and content. I felt his belly and the upper area feels completely normal but his underbelly is tight and solid. If anyone can shed any light on what is happening here it would be greatly appreciated!
P.S. There are no local vets in my area that will see goats and the nearest one is farther than I can afford.
1 - 8 of 8 Posts
Yes to the above. ^^
A couple other thoughts:
Is he urinating well?
Try also massaging the left side (rumen) to relieve gas. It would be great if you could have him in a standing position and elevate his front feet while you do this.
Get him some good forage roughage. Pine boughs, rose or blackberry brambles, wild honeysuckle...whatever you think he might enjoy (obviously, be sure there's nothing toxic in there). That will help recondition his rumen, as well.
You've already done so much, and it sounds like you're doing a fantastic job! I hope he is ok.
A couple other thoughts:
Is he urinating well?
Try also massaging the left side (rumen) to relieve gas. It would be great if you could have him in a standing position and elevate his front feet while you do this.
Get him some good forage roughage. Pine boughs, rose or blackberry brambles, wild honeysuckle...whatever you think he might enjoy (obviously, be sure there's nothing toxic in there). That will help recondition his rumen, as well.
You've already done so much, and it sounds like you're doing a fantastic job! I hope he is ok.
I have not seen him urinate in a day or two but I have noticed the straw where he is laying to be wet and stained so I can only assume he has urinated laying down. I will definitely get him some roughage and work on the polio and listeria treatments. Thank you so much!
Hope he will be ok.
Not urinating is a concern.
He may need a vet if you are sure he hasn’t pee’d.
Not urinating is a concern.
He may need a vet if you are sure he hasn’t pee’d.
He's doing much better than yesterday, but I still haven't seen him urinate standing up. However, the hay he was laying on is wet. I don't want to assume, but I'm also not sure how to help him urinate while I have him up and standing. I give him breaks to not over stress the muscles.
It has been my experience that any time I give a dose of ammonium chloride (drenched) to a goat that isn't blocked, they immediately urinate. Not sure why.... It might be worth a try if you can drench him just so you know.
1 - 8 of 8 Posts
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