Urinary stones

Urinary Calculi

Tips for Bucks and Wethers Which are in the Early Stages of This Disease.

Bucks and wethers are prone to developing urinary stones. With good nutrition, plenty of water, and observation you can prevent your goats from acquiring it. If you catch the symptoms early it IS actually treatable!*

*In case you don't catch the symptoms in the early stage of this disease and your buck cannot urinate, urinates very, very little or the treatment doesn't help your goat PLEASE CALL YOUR VETERINARIAN IMMEDIATELY. These are some techniques I use/used when my buck got urinary stones and they worked for me. I cannot be held responsible for the loss of property/animals associated with any of these treatment ideas. Please have a good working relationship with a local vet.

Some General Information on Urinary Stones

Urinary stones or Urolithias is caused by small bladder stones that the goat attempts to pass. The urinary tract of a buck is S-shaped, which is very different from the short, straight tracts of does. This is why very rarely do does get urinary stones. The stones leave the bladder and the larger ones can become lodged in the sharpest parts of the sigmoid flexure. (the s-curve) At first some urine will be able to push past the obstruction, but as irritation continues, the lining of the urinary tract will swell and completely block the exit. In a few hours the bladder will be filled and eventually burst, killing the goat.

Symptoms of Urinary Stones:

It is best to always watch your bucks and wethers daily for any of these signs.

Lack of appetite

Backing up before urinating

Depressed look

Straining to urinate (hunched up)

Blood coming from tip of penis

Kicking at stomach

Excessive crying

To Prevent Urinary Stones:

Give your bucks/wethers warm water in the winter and keep their water fresh in the summer. This will encourage them to drink lots of water which in turn will help them pass some of the smaller stones. My goats prefer lukewarm water in the summer instead of cold It may seem like spoiling them but is is well worth the healthy goats.

Check the calcium to phosphorus ratio in the feed you give your boys. It should be 2:1. No more no less. Too much calcium to too little phosphorus can create problems too.

Avoid over feeding grain to your bucks and wether. My older bucks only get 1 cup of grain 2 times a day. They get a rack full of hay so they are not going hungry. Mainly, watch the body condition of your anial. Feel their bodies once a week for fat and muscle cover. You don't want them too fat or thin.

I suggest adding ammonium chloride to the boys' rations. (Make sure it is labeled for animals and doesn't have added chemicals!) Some goat feeds have it added to them already, so check the label. When feeding you goats, or any animal for that matter, the nutrition label is your best friend. (while we are on the subject, make sure your feed doesn't contain any animal by-products either) If ammonium chloride isn't in your ration already, add about 1 teaspoon per day for an adult buck/wether. Ammonium chloride acidifies the urine to prevent urinary stones from forming.

Castrate bucks at about 3 to 4 months of age. Castrating too early can lead to an under developed urinary system. Also when castrating besure not to catch the urinary tract in the band along with the testicals.

Sprinkling a pinch of livestock salt or goat minerals on the bucks'/wethers' rations. The salt will make the goats want to drink more. I also offer it free-choice.

Suggested Treatment:

Stop feeding the affected buck/wether grain. If that is the source of the problem, you can prevent it from making thing worse. Also if it has added ammonium chloride, you will want to stop it for several days until you no longer have to drench him with the ammonium chloride (see next tip). That way he won't recieve too much. Continue to give him hay 2 times a day so he doesn't go hungry. (Goats can actually live on hay, so just hay will be sufficient for awhile)

Drench the buck/wether once a day with 1 1/2 teaspoons of ammonium chloride mixed with just enough water to dissolve it. To drench an animal I use a syringe, without the needle of course, and squirt the mixture slowly into the side of their mouth. Position the syringe in the pocket of their cheek and stop periodicly to let them swallow. Never tilt their head back while drenching. This could cause them to inhale the liquid instead of drinking it and they will drown. It is better to take your time and end up wearing some of it. Drench the buck/wether with the ammonium chloride until they can urinate normally again and then two days after.

Provide clean fresh water for the affected goat at all times.

If his condition worsens contact your VET AS SOON AS POSSIBLE! I can't stress that enough. Usually you will notice a difference in one full day.