Category Archives: Goat Vet Corner Files

By Deb Haines Shedding is different from hair loss. Shedding in goats is regularly observed in the Spring, but tends to be rather inconspicuous and slow. Goats may even go through several shedding stages depending on factors such as day length and weather. Sexual cycle, function of the thyroid and adrenal glands, and nutrition mayContinue reading “Flakey Skin, Hair Loss, Irritated Skin”

By Deb Haines Baby goat’s poop changes a lot within the first week, so it’s always important to know what’s normal so you can spot a potential problem. For the first day or so, a goat kid’s poop will be tar like – black and super sticky. These are meconium poops and will usually passContinue reading “Goat Kid Poop”

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 “Tube Feeding Goat Kids/Lambs and Adults”

By Dr. Timothy Snider Please please please vaccinate your goats for Clostridial enterotoxemia and tetanus. You may know the vaccine as CD-T. The first two letters indicate the subtypes of Clostridium perfringens (C&D) the bacterin is protective against; the T is a designation for Tetanus protection. In the whole spectrum of animal health supplies, CD-TContinue reading “Clostridial Enterotoxemia and Tetanus Vaccine: Importance”

By Deb Haines Pregnancy is maintained by a structure on the ovary known as a CL (corpus luteum ), not same thing as the abscess problem. Lutalyse is a hormone (prostaglandin) that disrupts the CL, lysing it, so that the ovary no longer produces the hormone (progesterone) that maintains pregnancy. Lutalyse is a brand nameContinue reading “Termination Of Goat Pregnancy with Lutalyse”

By Deb Haines The lactating doe has very high nutrient requirementsDoes should be fed at a maintenance level when they are dry and during the first two thirds of their pregnancy. As the doe goes through pregnancy her requirements will begin to increase during the last third of her pregnancy. It is critical to provideContinue reading “Requirements For The Pregnant And Lactating Doe”

By Deb Haines Lice are divided into two main groups: The Anoplura (sucking lice) and Mallophaga (chewing or biting lice). Biting lice have chewing mouth parts and feed on particles of hair, scabs and skin exudations. Sucking lice pierce the host’s skin and draw blood. Louse-infested animals may be recognized by their dull, matted coatContinue reading “Lice And How to Treat”

by Deb Haines AZALEA — ( Rhododendron Indica): Azalea Toxicity in Goats. Serious poisoning, even death can result. Azaleas can be toxic to goats, and even a small amount of the plant’s foliage can result in poisoning. The poisoning may be from an animal “browsing” among the azalea or occasionally, poisoning occurs due to well-Continue reading “Toxic/harmful plants to goats and sheep”

by Ken Brown DVM “Why does my goat have hair loss around her eyes?” Let’s first consider hair in general and how and why it grows the way it grows. When there is a mucus membrane (a moist area) there is no hair naturally, so the edge of an eyelid is not going to have hair.Continue reading “Hair loss around the eyes”

By Deb Haines 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 prepare you for unexpected emergencies and willContinue reading “Goat Kid Tips : Winter and Cold kids”