Acidosis
Acidosis By MSUCARES
A drastic change in feed and possibly too much corn in the goat’s diet most commonly
causes acidosis. When goats eat high concentrate rations, not only do the starches
produce more acid, but the lack of roughage causes a decreased amount of saliva.
Symptoms of acidosis include: Bloat, rapid breathing and/or lethargic behavior (staring
out into “space”). If your goat is diagnosed with Acidosis, you should treat him or her
immediately. Acidosis is potentially fatal, and if it does not kill your goat, it can burn the
rumen and kill good bacteria leading to other diseases. Allow the animal to drink lots of
water, use antacid preparations like milk of magnesia, oral tetracycline to prevent
bacterial overgrowth, probiocin or rumen contents from a healthy ruminant and thiamine
or B-complex vitamins.