Ammonium chloride powder is used to treat Urinary Calculi in goats. Urinary Calculi is a prevalent health issue that goats experience, and many goat owners turn to ammonium chloride powder as a remedy. In most cases, ammonium chloride serves as a very effective and easy solution to Urinary calculi.
It is definitely worth a shot if your goat is struggling with Urinary calculi. Because of how invasive Urinary calculi are, it is imperative that you treat them quickly. Untreated Urinary calculi are incredibly painful for goats to experience, and they can lead to death if they are left to their own devices for too long. In this article, we’ll explore the mechanics of Urinary calculi as well as the benefits of ammonium chloride powder.
Best ammonium chloride powder for goats
The best ammonium chloride for goats is AniMed Powder. It can easily be added to your goat’s food or water.
It is designed specifically for livestock, including goats. What I really like about this AniMed is that it is 99.9% ammonium chloride, which is as pure as any other comparable product on the market.
This ammonium chloride is also very affordable, as a 2.5 pound bag only costs $20. This can also last for months, since you only put a small amount in their food or water.
This can be used as both a preventive measure as well as treatment for Urinary Calculi. As far as dosage and mixing in it, you should ready my guide on the how to give ammonium chloride to goats.
Causes of Urinary Calculi
Urinary Calculi, also known as water belly or urolithiasis, is when stones made of various minerals form in the ureter. These stones can travel into the rest of the urinary tract system and cause significant blockages. If left untreated, urinary calculi can be life-threatening.
Not to mention, these stones are excruciating for goats. Therefore, it is paramount that Urinary calculi are treated as quickly as possible. If you suspect your goat has Urinary calculi, the first step you should take is to visit your local veterinarian.
One of the possible treatment options they will give you is ammonium chloride powder. Urinary calculi are typically formed due to a lack of hydration, however, breed or premature castration can also be responsible.Â
Signs of Urinary Calculi
If your goat has Urinary calculi, you’ll probably be able to tell. As the condition is incredibly painful for goats, your goat will probably exhibit a number of behaviors that differ from the norm. You may notice that your goat is acting particularly restless and anxious.
They may not be able to settle down or comfortably stay in one spot. Furthermore, their tail may whip around, and they may make distressing or pained noises. Additionally, as Urinary calculi affect the urinary tract, you should be able to notice differences in their urine. Your goat may be urinating in small amounts that contain blood. Their urine may also be darker than usual. Â
How Does Ammonium Chloride Powder Cure Urinary Calculi in Goats?
Adding ammonium chloride powder to your goat’s food is one of the most effective solutions when it comes to treating Urinary calculi. Ammonium chloride powder is an acidic substance and will therefore raise the overall acidity level of your goat’s urine.
The raised acidity will combat the Urinary calculi by hopefully softening or dissolving some of the stones while preventing new ones from growing. Because of its effectiveness, ammonium chloride powder is often added to standard goat grain mixes.
You may want to look for this if your goats are struggling with Urinary calculi. However, make sure that you are always providing a large water supply with foods that have ammonium chloride powder in them to aid with digestion.Â
Mixing in ammonium chloride
You can get ammonium chloride powder packets, or you can get it pre-mixed into your goat’s food. Regardless of which you choose, the amount of ammonium chloride powder you add should remain about the same if you are focusing on prevention.
Conclusion
As mentioned previously, make sure to always provide an adequate source of water. If not, the acidity may lead to a painful digestive process. You can additionally add ammonium chloride powder straight to your goat’s water. For this, add one to two teaspoons of powder for every gallon of water.
If your goat already has a Urinary calculi problem, visit your veterinarian first. If they recommend you treat it with ammonium chloride powder, you’ll need to increase the dosage. You’ll also need to orally drench your goat rather than just adding it to their food or water. When orally drenching your goat to treat Urinary calculi, add one tablespoon of ammonium chloride powder to one cup of water.Â
