Cause
a. Excessive ingestation of grain or moderate amounts by animals not accustomed to grain or by hungry animals.
b. Grain fermentation results in abnormally high levels of D-lactic acid and lactate.
c. The rumen pH falls to 4.0 to 4.5

Signs
a. Occur 6-12 hours after grain ingestion
b. Associated with indigestion and dehydration.
c. Off-feed, irritability, dullness.
d. Distended, paralyzed rumen.
e. Profuse diarrhea, dehydration, sunken eyes.
f. Incoordination, collapse, coma, death.
g. Recovered animals often results in founder.

Treatment
a Empty rumen, either with stomach tube or surgery.
b. Mineral Oil and antacids.
c. Electrolytes and buffers to correct dehydration and acidosis.
d. Fluid treatment may need to be supplemented and antibiotics, antihistamines, steroids, and calcium borogluconate, depending on severity of clinical signs.

Prevention
A Remove the offending cause: properly managed feedbunks are best prevention.
b. Do not offer free-choice grain to unaccustomed, hungry or starving goats.
c. Ionophers (e.g.: Bovatec) in concentrate, at recommended level, are useful.

This article is used by permission and is part of:
Nutritional Effects on Goat  Health
by Helen A. Swartz
State Sheep, Goat and Livestock Specialist
Lincoln University Cooperative Extension