Category Archives: Goat Vet Corner Files

By Deb Haines – Be Prepared, Be Alert..It’s that time of year ! Hypothermia Which literally means ‘temperature below normal’, occurs when too much body heat is lost or too little body heat is produced, and the result is a drop in body temperature. can be a problem in newborn or sick animals, and isContinue reading “Be Prepared, Be Alert..It’s that time of year !”

By Dr. Chastine – The Importance of Colostrum In some cases, kids don’t get adequate colostrum – This can be a serious health hazard for the kid › Colostrum contains antibodies (proteins that fight disease) – Newborn kid’s immune system is naïve, hasn’t produced antibodies yet – Mom’s first milk (colostrum) contains these antibodies, especiallyContinue reading “The Importance of Colostrum”

By Deb Haines – Interventions When Things Go Wrong Kid was just born apparently lifeless: Doesn’t start breathing and doesn’t try to roll up onto its sternum. What should I do ? A) Clear face of fetal membranes B) Use blue suction bulb to clear fluid from nostrils C) Open mouth gently to make sureContinue reading “Newborn Kid Tips… Lifeless kid”

By Deb Haines – 1) What is the best things to do for a newborn who is just sluggish/weak for no apparent reason? Answer…..Karo syrup or pancake syrup a simple, rapid sugar blast rub it on their gums. The idea is to give just enough energy to be able to suckle, which then provides theContinue reading “What is the best things to do for a newborn who is just sluggish/weak for no apparent reason? What is a normal poop for a newborn kid, are there ways to avoid the “he was fine last night”?”

By Deb Haines – Teaching A Baby Goat To Take A Bottle. Bottle babies can be frustrating at times, for not all goat babies are eager to take the bottle. This is not natural to them and the nipple is a foreign object. If the baby refuses to take the bottle you must work withContinue reading “Teaching A Goat Baby To Take A Bottle”

The First 24-48 Hours After Normal Kiddingby Deb HainesKeep an eye on the kid(s) for the first 24-48 hours to make sure they are eating, drinking, peeing, and pooping as they should. First meconium poop will be thick, black, and very, very sticky.Most kids will transition from the black sticky poop, to thick, yellow/mustardy stickyContinue reading “After Kidding ..The first 24 to 48 hours”

By Deb Haines – Part 1 ….. A Normal Goat Birth There are three stages of the kidding process. Stage one is the preparatory stage. During this stage, the kid should rotate into the upright position and the cervix will start to dilate. The doe will become restless as her uterus starts to contract. ThisContinue reading “Normal Goat Kid Birth”

By Deb Haines – Welcome to winter ! Winter can be stressful to goats and other livestock, Wind chills and prolonged cold increases their need for shelter, food and water. Now is the time to prepare your farm and livestock for the cold, winter temperatures ahead. A thought out plan for your farm will prepareContinue reading “Frostbite In Goat Kids/Lambs”

By Deb Haines – How does fire smoke affect animals? The flames and subsequent smoke can cause eye irritation as well as watering. These animals are also likely to develop excessive nasal discharge. The association also stated that animals can develop inflamed throats as well as burning mouths as a result of the wildfires. AsContinue reading “Protecting Livestock And Pets from Wildfire Smoke”

By Deb Haines About Banding Goat Buck Kids …Questions and Answers ( Age matters) Banding is a method that goat owners use to castrate their male goats. Banding refers to applying a small, thick rubber band to the top of the testicles with a metal tool called an elastrator. Banding pain starts once blood flowContinue reading “About Banding Goat Buck Kids”