Farmers who breed animals want healthy babies. Pregnancy in goats is easy and does not require constant intervention. However, for the normal development of labor and the prevention of complications, certain measures must be taken. If your goat suddenly eats the placenta, it may need some help.
Signs of eating the placenta
The afterbirth contains many trace elements. Therefore, after lambing, the goat can eat it. This usually indicates a lack of important substances in her body. However, she can only eat part of the afterbirth after childbirth.
When eating it, there is a risk of developing complex digestive system disorders. Clinical manifestations include the following:
- increased heart rate;
- increased breathing;
- general depression of the animal;
- tympany;
- unpleasant smell of feces;
- the appearance of mucus and impurities of undigested food in the stool;
- diarrhea;
- appetite disorders;
- increase in body temperature;
- accumulation of gases in the intestines.
Goat milk should not be eaten during diarrhea, as it acquires a bitter taste.
Treatment of placentophagy
Under natural conditions, wild goats actually eat their afterbirth. This is required to protect them from predatory animals. However, such goats do not get sick because they are used to eating rough food and constantly being on the move. Pets have to be treated for placentophagy. The first time after eating the placenta, you need to keep an eye on the goat. To do this, it is recommended to keep her on a short leash. Treatment should be aimed at solving the following problems:
- stimulation of intestinal motility;
- prevention of complications;
- activation of gastric secretion.
In the first days after eating the placenta, the goat requires a fasting diet. At the same time, she needs to be given a lot to drink. Thanks to this, it is possible to speed up the removal of the placenta from the body and cleanse it.
It is also acceptable to use laxatives. You can give the goat 200 grams of vegetable oil or 60 grams of Vaseline. Subsequently, it is worth introducing food that is easily digested. Barium chloride helps stimulate intestinal peristalsis. It is recommended to mix it with water and give it to the goat. This needs to be done 2 times a day. To prevent the proliferation of pathogenic bacteria, it is worth using “Ichthyol” or “Fthalazol”. It is also permissible to use a solution of potassium permanganate.When the chewing gum disappears, use hellebore infusion.
What could be the consequences?
In herbivores, the digestive system is not designed to digest protein foods. Therefore, eating the placenta can provoke pathologies of the gastrointestinal tract. Excess gases in the rumen can cause airway obstruction and death. When an animal takes a deep breath, undigested food can leave the rumen, which will lead to blockage of the trachea and suffocation.
If the placenta remains in the stomach for a long time, there is a risk of rotting processes. A goat's digestive system does not have enzymes to break down the placenta. Rotting can provoke the development of inflammation and intoxication of the body.
Prevention measures
To avoid eating the placenta, it is recommended to remove it immediately after separation. For a full metabolism, a goat needs to be provided with high-quality and balanced nutrition. To choose the right diet, it is recommended to consult a veterinarian. The doctor will create a menu taking into account weight gain, age, and health status.
It is important to consider that obesity is no less dangerous than a deficiency of useful elements.
1.5-2 months before lambing, you need to arrange a launch, during which you should adhere to the following feeding rules:
- reduce the amount of succulent feed;
- reduce the length of stay on pasture;
- restore normal diet after launch;
- increase the number of grain mixtures;
- 1.5-2 weeks before giving birth, halve the amount of cereals;
- for 3-5 days, exclude greens, vegetables and grain feeds, using only high-quality hay and light concentrates.
After giving birth, the goat requires increased attention. If the female is properly fed before giving birth, she will not have the desire to eat the afterbirth. After lambing, the goat should also receive nutrients and rest. This will speed up its recovery and help avoid unwanted consequences.
A goat's eating of placenta is most often due to a lack of beneficial elements in its diet during pregnancy. To avoid such problems, it is necessary to provide the animal with a complete and balanced diet. Helping the female during childbirth is of no small importance.
