⚠️ Not veterinary advice. This guide is for education on minor issues only. If you are unsure, or your animal is in pain, call your veterinarian. In an emergency, call immediately.
Bloat in goats
Should I call the vet?
Typical signs: Left side swollen and tight, discomfort, grinding teeth, may stop eating.
Call your vet now if you see
- Rapidly swelling left side
- Labored breathing
- Down or staggering
What you can do
- Call vet NOW.
- Keep the goat standing and walking.
- Vet may advise oral anti-bloat (poloxalene) or vegetable oil — only on advice.
- Remove grain/lush legumes from the group.
When to call the vet
Immediately.
Normal adult vital signs (at rest)
Goat
| Vital | Normal | Concerning |
|---|---|---|
| Temperature | 101.5–103.5 °F | Over 104 °F or under 100 °F |
| Heart rate | 70–90 /min | Over 110 at rest |
| Respiration | 12–20 /min (higher in heat) | Open-mouth breathing |
| Rumen | 1–2 contractions/min (left side) | None, or left side tight like a drum |
| FAMACHA (eyelid) | Red–pink (score 1–2) | Pale pink/white (4–5) = anemia |
| Manure | Firm pellets | Diarrhea, clumps, none |
Young animals differ. Learn each animal's healthy baseline and record it.
More from Should I Call the Vet?
All 51 topics · Goat records · Parasites & toxic plants by state
Other goat topics
- Minor cuts & scrapes
- Rain rot / rain scald
- Eye irritation
- Parasites (worms / anemia)
- Diarrhea (scours)
- Foot rot / foot scald / overgrown hooves
- Enterotoxemia (overeating) warning signs
- Urinary stones (male goats/steers)
- Sore mouth (orf)
- Lice / mange / skin irritation
- Polio (thiamine deficiency) warning signs
- Mild mastitis
- Pinkeye
- Mild cough / respiratory (calves, kids)
- Milk fever / ketosis around calving/kidding
- Heat stress
Keep every record in one place
Herd Papers keeps vaccines, Coggins, vet and farrier visits, weight and body condition for each animal, and reminds you before things come due.
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