GoatPedia™ Article

GoatPedia™ "When Things go Wrong" and There is NO Vet

So what happens when a goat gets sick? How do you determine what is wrong if you don’t have a vet or maybe you cannot get a hold of him/her? How do you treat a goat when you don’t know what is wrong?.. What DO you DO?!

I can only tell you what I do and maybe something I say will prompt a thought when you have to deal with a similar situation, after all -, my reason for writing to you all is to provide some help if only to one person.. Possibly save valuable time if by chance you come across a situation you need to address that you have already read about and “click” a light may go on when time is of the essence..

As most of you already have experienced. It is easier to help someone else’s goats than your own, you can step back and look into a problem and not be hindered by emotion. I will admit there are times I get incredibly stupid when it comes to tending to some illnesses with my own goats. I have a tendency to start to panic inside. The first thing you need to do if you are like me. Is to STOP for a moment, take a deep breath and think- I close my eyes to block out everything around me.

Then start taking vitals and write them down, chances are you may not remember the goat’s temperature 5 minutes after you have read that thermometer. Look at the goat, notice anything unusual about her/him. If there is someone else there have them go with you- ask them questions -ask if they see the same things you are seeing. Write everything down. I have also found that asking a non goat person what they notice about the animal is more helpful, because they do not have pre-conceived ideas as to what and how they should be acting.

Goat Normal Physiological Vital Signs:

Temperature 101.5 º F ~ 104º F

Respirations Adults: 12 ~ 20 per minute

Kids: 20 ~ 40 per minute

Pulse Adults: 70 ~ 80 beats per minute

Kids: 100 ~ 120 beats per minute

Rumination 1 ~ 3 rumination movements per minute

1. Take the temperature first and foremost.

Use a non-glass digital thermometer. Use it rectally with vasoline as lubricant. Insert it 1 inch to 1 1/2 inches in an adult and half inch in a kid goat. Hold it until it beeps. Note the time and retake the temp every hour. Document the temperature each time as well as the time you took it. Some illnesses are characterized by fluctuating fever, so it is important to re-take the temperatures of a goat who is showing symptoms of illness. Do this every hour.

2. Count respirations and note shallow or deep or labored breaths.

3. Take the pulse. Use the inside of the front leg - this is easiest for me-or the side of the throat.

4. Count ruminations. You should be able to see the left flank moving with each rumination. If not, place your ear to the left side and listen for the characteristic gurgle sound ruminating makes.

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