Goat Vet Question/Suggestion(s)

[Amaggio]

Hi all, I want to add goats to my homestead but haven't gathered up enough courage yet to take the plunge. I haven't spoken much to any goat vets but how does it work with the vet when a goat is pregnant? Do you pay the vet monthly in case they need to come out and help you or do ultrasounds? What are some good things to know about dealing with a vet?

 

[Duckfarmerpa1]

Hi, I’m new to goats, but I’ll tell you what we did, and plan to do. We had two kid this year. We did not have the vet out once. I do shots, the6 were good. I even had one that got Ketones, it’s due to too much goin* to the babies and not her?, at the very end...but the wise people on here walked me through the treatment and she, and the kids were all fine! Anyways, you could ge5 ultrasounds, etc..I know people who do it. It’s costly. We were thinking we’d get 2out of my one doe and 1 from the other FF...but, we got triplets and twins!! Other than, the first was breach, and I did call my vet, as to how long to wait to intervene...I would occasionally call my vet for random questions...but, she didn’t feel I ever needed to take them in. They were/are in good condition, which is very important..when going to breed. I still call the vet...but we’re in a small town and she’s very laid back...she doesn’t mind at all. But, honestly, I typically get all of my goat info here!! There are other forums out there....just be careful...this one is very helpful, without the scolding!! PS..I just bought a new doe today, and I plan to try a spring breeding?? Not sure if it’ll work...but, it’s worth the shot!!

 

[Amaggio]

Thank you got sharing, Duckfarmerpa1! I know i need to take the plunge but I'm having a hard time finding people near me that are willing to mentor. I do love these forums, 'backyard' has great resources.

 

[messybun]

I know I’m really late on this thread. But what the hay, I’ll share anyway. We don’t have a nearby goat vet, finally we had one move in over an hour away, and trying to get them out here is a joke. Sometimes there’s a Mobile vet, like once a year if we’re lucky, but they are always too booked. We also didn’t particularly have a mentor, but it turned out our neighbor had actually done a lot with goats and veterinary stuff. Saved our goat during a bad labor, and she has saved our tail a few times.
Basically, get your hands on every piece of information you can. We have changed so so much from when we started. Don’t be afraid to figure out what works for you.
Keep the basic needs in mind and go from there. Fencing and shelter(make it sturdier than you imagine you could need, goats are destructive) food and water (grass and hay is the main and then grain and supplements) entertainment and quality of life. Aside from that you can never know too much about medical stuff. When we got ours we literally couldn’t get antibiotics. We learned natural remedies. Never used chemical dewormer either, all herbal.
Keep a basic anti septic on hand; I prefer iodine. Get a spray, blue kote is the best thing I’ve found, it will treat scrapes, scratches, fungus. Get basic wound care, triple antibiotic ointment, gauze (not gonna lie, I’ve used paper towels a lot) and coban. I do not want to live without coban, buy at least a few rolls. Vitamin b has been invaluable because it peps them up and is like sunshine in a bottle. Use it on your sick or injured, it’s a game changer. Find a wormer, even if you don’t want to use one. Goats, especially after babies, can go down hill and die very quickly. Keep it on hand, or use a natural wormer. Keep probiotics and electrolytes on hand at all times as well.
Did I mention do your research? Because you need to do research lol. It’s a great journey, but the more you know the better. The longer you have them the more relaxed you’ll be too, learning what’s normal and not.

 

[Amaggio]

Thank you for the response! I finally got up the courage and now we have two. I bought one in milk and another doeling. Now it's just a matter of using all the milk lol. I've been doing a lot myself too and even have a separate first aid kit just for animals.

 

[Alaskan]

Thank you for the response! I finally got up the courage and now we have two. I bought one in milk and another doeling. Now it's just a matter of using all the milk lol. I've been doing a lot myself too and even have a separate first aid kit just for animals.

Very cute!

 

[Mini Horses]

Cute girls ya got there. It's always fun to use up too much milk and too many eggs! So recipes...and feed to other animals. Its hard at first. Ya feel like you're throwing it away, sorta. But chickens and pigs, cats, dogs...all love the milk and it helps with those feed bills. Make soap, yogurt, butter, sour cream, cheese, caramel sauce, ice cream.... Freeze some.

Tremendous amount of info on here...about so many things!

Tennessee meat goats has a website with great listings of info. That lady has been working with goats and vets for many, many years. Stockpile of info for we DIYrs. She's hands on and BTDT.

These guys are addictive. You go from zero to 20 in a fast couple yrs.

 

[Margali]

Weed 'em and Reep on Youtube is awesome goat resource. She breeds nigerian dwarfs and does her own meds and unltrasounds.

 

[Baymule]

Congratulations on the cute goats. The members here are great people and are glad to help. Don’t be afraid to ask questions!