Why goats grind their teeth - 3 most dangerous reasons

Goats are very emotional animals that will always signal the owner about certain problems. This also applies to teeth grinding, a consequence of stress.

If a goat grinds its teeth but does not consume food, this usually indicates pain and requires immediate veterinary attention. There may be several reasons.

Stress from enterotoxemia

Enterotoxemia, commonly referred to as "binge eating disease", is caused by the bacteria Clostridium perfringens and is extremely dangerous. Often occurs after a sudden change in diet or overeating, when an enterprising goat has the idea to open a barrel of food. In addition to teeth grinding, indigestion can lead to bloating and diarrhea with or without blood, NERVOUS SYSTEM disorders, and seizures.

Bloating is due to the accumulation of gas in the rumen, either due to excessive consumption of grain or spring green grass. Take it seriously, hay should make up 80-100% of a goat's diet in winter.

Grass hay is the preferred type for feeding goats. However, as kids grow and their bones develop, alfalfa is also acceptable to young animals, as it contains more protein and calcium than grass hay.

Most grass hay contains about 7-8% protein. Hay must be obtained from the first and second cuts. The older the plant, the less nutritious it is. When a plant blooms, nutrients are redirected from the leaves and stems to the seeds.

Don't feed your goats moldy hay - a recipe for bloating - prioritize the quality of your hay and offer your goats a choice of baking soda.

If diarrhea is added to the grinding of teeth (the color of the feces will vary from pale white to watery brown), eliminate the grain completely. In severe cases, kaolin-pectin can be given with plenty of water.

Laminitis

It may seem counterintuitive that a goat will grind its teeth if it has leg problems, but in some cases this is exactly what happens.

Laminitis is a condition in which the delicate tissue inside the hoof becomes inflamed and swollen, pressing painfully against the inner wall of the hoof. Goats will not only begin to limp, but may even fall to their knees to move around. Severe pain makes them grind their teeth. Call your veterinarian immediately! The most common cause is overfeeding with grain. 

Thiamine deficiency

Polioencephalomalacia, also known as cerebrocortical necrosis, occurs when a goat does not get enough thiamine or does not have enough thiamine in the rumen.

Causes: Feeding moldy hay or overdoing it with levamisole to fight worms, you decide to graze goats in a rapeseed field - the high sulfur content in rapeseed caused a thiamine deficiency. In addition to grinding the teeth, other symptoms include depression and sometimes blindness, lopsided ears, and an odd gait.

Thiamine is a B vitamin (vitamin B1) that plays an important role in all cells by acting as a cofactor for several key enzymes involved in glucose metabolism.

Thiamine is especially important for the proper functioning of the brain, as the brain uses glucose as its main source of energy. Since the brain controls almost every bodily function, adequate thiamine levels are critical to normal HEALTH and well-being.

Thiamine is not produced by animal cells, but is produced by rumen microorganisms.

The disease affects animals of all ages, but is most common in kids transitioning from dairy to solid diets, especially those on a high grain diet.

Response measures - rapid administration of thiamine (minimum dose of 10 mg/kg body weight). Additional therapeutic value may be the administration of anti-inflammatory drugs to reduce brain inflammation along with the administration of thiamine. Consult your veterinarian for information on the safe and effective use of anti-inflammatory drugs.