Category Archives: Goat Vet Corner Files

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”

By Deb Haines Symptoms of Urinary Calculi or Urinary Tract ObstructionWith any goat, but especially wethers, it is always a good idea to keep an eye out for signs that he is having an issue urinating. Noticing any of these signs, especially if multiple signs are noticed at one time, are indications that something needsContinue reading “Urinary Blockage – How To Snip The Pizzle”

By Deb Haines Listeriosis, or Circling disease, is a sporadic bacterial infection that affects a wide range of animals, including people and birds. It is seen worldwide, more frequently in temperate and colder climates. There is a high incidence of intestinal carriers. Encephalitis or meningoencephalitis in adult ruminants is the most frequently recognized form. SometimesContinue reading “Listeriosis: Circling disease”

By Deb Haines The vast majority of lambs and kids that are born during favorable weather conditions will not require additional care or assistance at birth. However, there are several risk factors that you need to consider when animals are giving birth during cold weather: milk supply, kid/lamb size and vigor, maternal behavior and weatherContinue reading “How To Tube Feed Goat Kids/Lambs and Adults”

This article was written by GVC volunteer vet Dr. Timothy Snider explaining the importance of the CD-T vaccine. We hope all of you will take a moment to read and understand the importance of this life saving vaccine. Please please please vaccinate your goats for Clostridial enterotoxemia and tetanus. You may know the vaccine asContinue reading “Importance of Clostridial Enterotoxemia and Tetanus Vaccine.”

By Deb Haines Keep in mind that not all goat kids are alike and some may take more time in the weaning process. 1) How do I go about the weaning process? Ken Brown Dvm…….. slow down on bottle as get older and that weans them – 8 weeks old so can go down toContinue reading “Weaning Bottle Babies”