Pet Goat Care Recommendations

Feed –

Roughage – A good quality GRASS hay available free choice

NOTE ON ALFALFA – For bucks and does that are in breeding programs they may require the higher energy that alfalfa provides. Backyard pet goats do not require this. Alfalfa can predispose goats to urinary stones. This is especially true in WETHERS. It can also lead to obesity in animals that are not in intensive production programs.

Concentrate (grain) – Along the same lines as alfalfa this is a NO NO for WETHERS. They do not have an energy requirement high enough to require concentrate and it can predispose them to urinary stones and rumen acidosis.

Water –

Goats prefer fresh, clean water. While this is important for any animal, GOATS are especially picky and will greatly appreciate a fresh clean water as often as it can be provided.

Supplements –

Always provide loose minerals for goats

I like this one listed below because it has ammonium chloride in it – a treatment/ preventative for urinary stones

https://www.amazon.com/Manna-Pro-Goat-Mineral-Supplement/dp/B001CCP3DY

It is also a good idea to provide baking soda for goats to eat at their leisure. This can help prevent rumen acidosis.

If you notice your goat eating a lot of baking soda during a period of time if may be a good idea to reassess their diet. Their rumen pH is likely too acidic from something in their diet

Deworming –

This is very area dependent. Most areas, unless your goats are on pasture or have potential exposure to wildlife will not require deworming regularly. I highly recommend having manure tested to determine parasite load and if deworming is actually warranted.

University of Arizona – https://azvdl.arizona.edu/how-submit/submission-process

Texas A and M – https://tvmdl.tamu.edu

Your local veterinarian – $65

Vaccinations –

CDT Vaccination is the only one I currently recommend for goats. This is a yearly vaccine. (I usually recommend at least 2 yrs in a row and then I am okay to back off)

CDT protects healthy sheep and goats against clostridium perfringins type C and D (overeating disease) and clostridium tetani (tetanus) which are pathogens found in the soil and we do not have great treatment options post infection.

Hoof trimming –

Should be done at least twice a year. This may need to be done more often depending on the environment and your goat’s hooves. Just take a look at them frequently.

– Recognizing when there is a problem is an important part of goat care –

• Not eating
• Not drinking (watch water levels)
• Abnormal manure (not in balls or in elongated or large balls)
• Head pressed into fences
• Crying out constantly
• Hunched up back
• Straining to urinate/ defecate
• Walking on knees
• Swelling behind jaw (lymph node area)

**Goat Care For Wethers**

WETHERS ARE EXTREMELY SUSCEPTIBLE TO URINARY CALCULI (STONES)

If urinary stones are suspect, or as a good “preventative” once a year or so, follow this treatment protocol –

Quick urinary stone treatment – of course not a 100% cure every time – but really the best treatment I have come across!

1. Juice of 6 lemons
2. 6 cloves garlic finely chopped
3. Large red onion finely chopped

Cover and simmer until onions are clear looking then strain and cool

*(no added water as it has the lemon juice and makes it own juices)

One batch makes enough for 4 treatments at 60ccs every 2 hrs.

– Things to think about keeping on hand for goat care –

1. Halter
2. Hoof nippers
3. Wound treatment materials
   1. Triple antibiotic ointment
   2. Wound sprays (vetricyn or a dilute betadine)
4. Ammonium chloride (for urinary stones in wethers) along with the ingredients for recipe above
5. Loose goat minerals
6. Baking soda
7. Blood stop/ cauterizing sticks or corn starch
8. Anti-inflammatory/ pain reliever/ fever reducer (Rx)
   1. Banamine (Flunixin meglumine)
   2. Aspirin
9. Antibiotics
   1. LA200
   2. Penicillin