Consequences of the fact that the goat after giving birth ate the afterbirth and treatment of placentophagy
Animal farmers want healthy babies. Pregnancy in goats is easy and does not need constant intervention. However, for the normal development of labor and the prevention of complications, certain measures must be taken. If the goat suddenly ate the afterbirth, it may need some help.
Signs of eating the placenta
The placenta 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 you eat it, there is a risk of complex disorders of the digestive system. Clinical manifestations include the following:
- increased heart rate;
- increased breathing;
- general depression of the animal;
- tympany;
- unpleasant odor of feces;
- the appearance of mucus and impurities of undigested food in the feces;
- diarrhea;
- appetite disorders;
- an increase in body temperature;
- accumulation of gas in the intestines.
Goat milk should not be eaten during diarrhea because it tastes bitter.
Placentophagy treatment
In the wild, wild goats do eat their traces. This is required to protect them from predatory animals. However, these goats do not get sick, because they are used to eating rough food and being constantly on the move. Pets have to be treated for placentophagy. In the first time after eating the afterbirth, the goat must be monitored. To do this, it is recommended to keep it 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 needs a starvation diet. At the same time, she needs to be given a lot to drink. Thanks to this, it is possible to accelerate the removal of the placenta from the body and cleanse it.
Laxatives are also acceptable. You can give the goat 200 grams of vegetable oil or 60 grams of petroleum jelly. Subsequently, it is worth introducing feed that is easy to digest. Barium chloride helps to stimulate intestinal peristalsis. It is recommended to mix it with water and give it to the goat. This should be done 2 times a day. To prevent the multiplication of pathogenic bacteria, it is worth using "Ichthyol" or "Ftalazol". It is also permissible to use a solution of potassium permanganate. When the gum disappears, an infusion of hellebore is used.
What can be the consequences
In herbivores, the digestive system is not designed to digest protein foods. Therefore, eating the placenta can provoke pathologies of the organs of the gastrointestinal tract. Too much gas in the rumen can block the airways and be fatal. When the animal inhales deeply, undigested food can leave the rumen, leading to blockage of the trachea and suffocation.
With a prolonged stay of the placenta in the stomach, there is a risk of developing decay processes. In the goat's digestive system, there are no 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-fledged metabolism, the goat needs to provide high-quality and balanced nutrition. It is recommended that you consult with your veterinarian to find the right diet. The doctor will make a menu taking into account weight gain, age, 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 juicy feed;
- reduce the length of stay in the pasture;
- restore the usual diet after starting;
- increase the amount of grain mixtures;
- 1.5-2 weeks before delivery, halve the amount of cereals;
- for 3-5 days, exclude greens, vegetables and grain feed, using only high-quality hay and light concentrates.
After giving birth, the goat requires increased attention. With proper nutrition of the female before giving birth, she will not have a 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.
The goat's eating of the placenta is most often due to a lack of useful 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 also important.
