Compliance with the drinking regime is the most important aspect of keeping goats, the violation of which is fraught with a decrease in milk yield and serious consequences for the health of the livestock. Often, farmers and breeders discover that a goat is not drinking water and do not understand why this is happening. In such a situation, it is necessary to understand the reasons for this behavior of the animal as early as possible and take measures to solve the problem.
Causes of the problem
Refusal to drink fluids can have various reasons, ranging from the capricious behavior of a finicky goat to the development of serious illnesses.Causes of pathological refusal of liquid from cattle can be:
- viral and microbial diseases;
- intestinal infections;
- disturbances in the digestive tract;
- hormonal disorders;
- helminthic infestations;
- stress.
To prevent the development of serious pathologies, if a goat regularly refuses to drink in combination with signs of malaise and intoxication, you should immediately consult a veterinarian.
If the condition and behavior of the goat do not raise suspicions, the following reasons for refusing water are possible:
- low temperature (goats do not like cold water);
- visible pollution (clean animals do not drink dirty water and are picky about their living conditions);
- an abundance of succulent food in the diet;
- insufficient physical activity (animals need walking);
- taste monotony.
In such situations, you can correct the goat’s behavior by arousing interest in the offered drink in simple ways.
How to get a goat to drink water
If the barn is dry and clean, the diet is correct, the drink is fresh and warm, offered before feeding, the goat has been walked, but still does not drink, you can make water with flavor filling and provoke thirst.
Add one of the following components to the water:
- salt (water should be slightly salted);
- sugar or jam;
- banana peel;
- chopped apples or pears.
Sometimes breeders, in order to teach cattle to drink, resort to trickery by pouring water on top of the feed. To get to it, you will first have to drink a layer of liquid.
What to do if a goat drinks soapy water
If a goat drinks a solution of synthetic detergent, it can cause poisoning and cause serious consequences.
In this case, it is necessary to perform a gastric lavage, induce vomiting, and give a cleansing enema.
Then you should give the animal an enterosorbent (“Enterosgel” or “Polysorb”). To avoid dehydration, you need to ensure sufficient fluid intake. Severe signs of intoxication and deterioration of the animal’s condition require urgent veterinary intervention.
