For years baking soda has been used as treatment for goat bloat but, is this even effective. In this article we are going to be looking at the pros of using baking soda for goat bloat.
Contents
What Is Goat Bloat
Goat bloat is a condition in which goats cannot pass out gas by belching or burping. This usually occurs when goats change their diet especially from a low calorie food to a high calorie food or when they eat the wrong type of food. Goats are ruminant animals meaning they have 4 stomach chambers that work like a fermentation vat. Bacteria in the different stomach chambers helps to break down food and usually a goat belches during the process. When the digestion process is interrupted for any reason it means the goat will not be able to belch or burp thus, causing bloat. When left untreated, bloat can kill goats.
Common Symptoms Of Goat Bloat
If you want to know whether your goat is suffering from bloating there a few things you need to look out for. Goats that are suffering from bloat usually display the following signs:
- An inflated abdomen
- Lack of appetite
- Difficulty in walking
- Discomfort
- Grinding teeth
- Tense facial muscles
- Breathing problems
- Kicking belly
- Frequent urination
- Bleating
- Stamping
Baking Soda Goat Bloat Treatment
Baking soda has often been used as a goat bloat treatment and to be honest this is one of the easiest home remedies you can use to treat or even prevent goat bloat. This is because baking soda helps to regulate the pH level in a goat’s stomach. Goats naturally produce sodium bicarbonate or baking soda when they chew their cud. However, when goats are introduced to high calorie foods, their digestive system become overwhelmed and fail to produce enough sodium bicarbonate to sustain the digestion process. Therefore, by introducing baking soda to your goat’s diet, you are actually helping to improve its digestion. When administering baking soda as a goat bloat treatment it’s important that you give your goats the baking soda on a free-choice basis. This means you will just have to put the baking soda in a food dish or bowl and then your goats can simply consume whichever amount they deem fit. The main reason why baking soda is administered this way is because goats are clever animals and they know how much they need to consume in order to prevent or cure goat bloat.
Things To Avoid When Using Baking Soda As A Goat Bloat Treatment
Although baking soda can be administered on a free choice basis there are a few things you need to avoid. For starters, you need to avoid mixing your baking soda into the goat’s food. This is because goats are naturally self-diagnosing animals, meaning they will only consume baking soda when they see fit. Furthermore, avoid giving a prescribed amount of baking soda to goats as this can cause serious problems to your goat. Lastly, make sure that the baking soda you use is food grade baking soda and suitable for animal consumption.
How To Avoid Goat Bloat
Although baking soda can be used to avoid goat bloat, there are actually cheaper methods you can use. For starters you need to ensure that your goats have a proper diet which consists 75% of long fiber forage. This helps to ensure that the goat’s digestive system can easily digest the food without having to bloat. Avoid using concentrates to feed goats as these are very high in calories and often lead to bloating. Fruits and vegetables should also be offered to goats as snacks rather that substitutes of feed. This is because fruits and vegetables cannot meet the dietary needs of a goat and when consumed in excess they can lead to bloating.
How Much Baking Soda Do I Give My Goat For Bloat?
When giving baking soda to goats for bloat make sure you give them at a free-choice basis. This is because goats are clever animals that are able to self-diagnose. This means a goat will know exactly how much baking soda he or she needs in order to prevent or stop bloat.
How Do You Get Rid Of A Bloated Goat Fast?
The best way to get rid of a bloated goat fast is to give it baking soda and hope that the bloating will go away. If this fails you have to call the veterinarian who will administer medication that can help your goat to burp or belch which will then reduce the bloating.
Can Goats Eat Too Much Baking Soda?
Goats cannot eat too much baking soda, this is because they have a natural instinct that tells them to stop when they have consumed enough. Baking soda contain sodium bicarbonate that helps to break down food in the goats stomach chambers. When cows notice that they have consumed enough they will immediately stop. It’s very rare for goats to eat too much baking soda but, if it does happen, make sure you take your goat to the vet and have it checked out.
What Kind Of Baking Soda Can I Give My Goat?
Goats should be given baking soda that contains sodium bicarbonate or food grade baking soda. Brands don’t really matter as long as it is food grade baking soda.
How Do You Treat A Bloated Goat At Home?
The best way to treat a bloated goat at home is to start by giving it baking soda and hoping that it will consume it. The next thing is to remove all high calorie foods that might be causing bloating so that once it has recovered it will not go back to eating the same food. If your goat does not recover within a few hours you should call the vet who will assist you.
Conclusion
Baking soda should be offered to goats on a regularly basis mainly because it helps to prevent bloating. It is worth noting that when goat bloat is left untreated it could lead to death of the goat.
