Possible causes of diarrhea in goats, treatment methods and methods of prevention

The appearance of diarrhea in a goat is quite common and may indicate various disorders. Common causes of diarrhea are postpartum problems, poor diet, and overeating. Also, stool disorders can provoke helminthic infestations. To cope with this symptom, you need to establish the causes of its occurrence and select effective therapy.

Main causes of diarrhea in goats

There are many reasons that can provoke the development of diarrhea in livestock.To cope with the problem, it is important to identify the provoking factor.

Postpartum problems

Females often experience diarrhea immediately after lambing. The less a goat licks its babies, the lower the likelihood of diarrhea. Overeating is considered another cause of problems after childbirth.

Poor quality feed

If a goat has diarrhea, it is worth analyzing its diet. The quality of feed significantly affects the condition of the animal. If food is stored improperly, fungi may appear in it. If mold forms on the food, it is strictly forbidden to give it to your pet. Poisoning often occurs with frequent use of cake with gossypol. This substance accumulates in the body and disrupts the functions of the digestive organs. This causes diarrhea in goats.

You should not give your pets a lot of grass, cabbage, beets and potatoes. These products can cause diarrhea in young animals. Also, you should not give your pets compound feed. It clogs the intestines and provokes unpleasant pathologies.

Binge eating

Indigestion may be associated with the use of high fiber foods in the diet. It includes straw, chaff, and chaff. Most often, such nutrition is used in a lean year. It is also used in winter and spring. Such food provokes swelling of the rumen, belching, and stool disorders, in which constipation is replaced by diarrhea. Similar problems appear in the absence of walking or lack of fluid.

Inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract

Inflammatory lesions of the digestive organs include gastritis, colitis, enteritis and gastroenteritis.In this case, diarrhea appears, appetite worsens, and abdominal pain is observed. The goat behaves restlessly and is in a depressed state. The main reasons for the occurrence of such pathologies include the following:

• use of low-quality products;
• the presence in the menu of feeds that are prone to fermentation;
• excess acid silage in the diet;
• stress factors;
• vitamin A deficiency;
• sudden change of food;
• sun or heatstroke;
• using cold or dirty water;
• use of milk from a female with mastitis for feeding goat kids.

Worms and parasites in goats

Diarrhea is a consequence of infection with intestinal parasites. It is carried out through nutrition. Affected goats release worms into the environment and then eat them. This cycle can be repeated many times. This is why it is so important to systematically process animals. For adult goats, parasites are not particularly dangerous. In healthy pets, productivity is slightly reduced, and digestive disorders are periodically observed. Parasites can cause malnutrition in goat kids.

To detect worms, it is recommended to conduct a microscopic examination of stool, and then prescribe medications.

Signs and symptoms

During the grazing period, diarrhea may occur unnoticed by the farmer. This is due to the fact that goats are outside the stall most of the time. There are a number of symptoms that may indicate a problem:

• slight weight loss;
• the presence of manure on the back of the body;
• loud and frequent bleating after eating.

It is much easier to detect diarrhea during the stall period. At the same time, the bedding of sick animals becomes dirtier and wetter than usual.

If there are dangerous diseases, the signs may be different. These include the following:

• sudden weight loss;
• loss of appetite;
• change in the shade of stool - it can be yellow, green or red;
• foam in feces;
• decreased physical activity;
• decrease in milk yield;
• increase in body temperature;
• frequent and heavy breathing.

First aid

If diarrhea is detected, the animal should be immediately isolated from the entire livestock. This will help avoid contamination of the herd if infection is the cause. It is recommended to put the released animal on a starvation diet and not feed it for 8-10 hours. In this case, it is worth giving him 200-250 milliliters of saline solution at intervals of 3-4 hours.

It can be replaced with a filtered decoction of rice or oak bark. Bird cherry decoction or starch solution is also suitable. A small amount of milk will help strengthen a weakened animal. Before starting treatment, you should consult a veterinarian who will determine the causes of diarrhea.

Treatment methods

It is recommended to treat a goat taking into account the source of the problem:

1. If you suspect the use of low-quality feed, you should temporarily give the animal good hay. Following such a diet will allow you to cope with the problem in 2-3 days.
2. If symptoms of infection appear, the goat must be given antibiotics. This should be done as prescribed by a veterinarian. Usually goats are prescribed Farmaxin, Tylosin, Verakol.
3. If an animal is infected with worms, it can be given “Albeon” or “Bimectin”.

When diarrhea in kids It is recommended to give them milk in small portions. It can also be replaced with acidophilic yogurt. In addition, vitamins will help support weakened pets.They should be administered by injection, since the stomach of a sick animal will not be able to absorb the medicine.

The effect of diarrhea on milk quality

Goats are most often bred for milk. Therefore, many farmers are interested in how diarrhea affects the quality of the product. First of all, diarrhea significantly reduces the productivity of the animal. This is due to an imbalance in the water balance in the body.

If diarrhea is associated with infection by bacterial microorganisms, there is a risk of them getting into the milk. Therefore, experts do not advise them to water goats or eat them as food for people. It is best to thoroughly boil such a product, and then use it to make cottage cheese or cottage cheese. After recovery, goat milk can be consumed again.

Prevention of diarrhea

To prevent the development of diarrhea, it is recommended to follow these rules:

1. Adhere to sanitary and hygienic recommendations for caring for goats.
2. Give animals high quality food.
3. Give the goats clean and fresh water.
4. Adhere to hygiene rules when lambing.
5. Do not overfeed animals.
6. Do not give your pets a lot of heavy food.
7. Vaccinate goats against infectious pathologies in a timely manner.

The appearance of diarrhea in goats is observed quite often and is associated with a variety of factors. To cope with the problem, you need to reconsider the diet of your pets. If necessary, you should contact a veterinarian who will select effective therapy.