Abomasal bloat associated with Sarcina-like bacteria in goat kids

An epizootic of abdominal tympany in goat kids as a result of abomasal bloat associated with a short duration of clinical signs was fatal in over 200 kids. Histologic examination of sections of abomasum revealed high numbers of bacteria that were morphologically identical to Sarcina sp. Sarcina sp are anaerobic, gas-producing organisms that could cause abomasal bloat. Other reports have proposed that abomasal bloat is caused by abnormal abomasal flora; we propose that in the goat kids reported here, Sarcina sp may represent the abnormal flora.