Goat with fractured leg.

[Beekissed]

It comes down to the bottom line. Will the vet bill come to more than you would reasonably expect to pay for the animal? If so, then, in a business sense, the animal would be culled.

Culls happen.....

To the OP: Putting her somewhere with soft bedding and a quiet companion so you can monitor her injury is not a bad idea. Keep her quiet and you can even immobilize/splint the limb if you have any practice in that sort of thing.

 

[cmjust0]

Yep..that's what I figured.

I firmly believe this is why so many vets don't know the first thing about a goat. They're too cheap to treat, in a lot of folks' minds.

I have a question, though...if you so rarely visit with your vet, how do you ever learn anything new -- and I mean, really new -- about treating your animals? How can you be sure you're not culling animals that could be saved at little cost through a newly developed course of treatment? How would you ever expect new treatments to become available if you don't give vets the opportunity to ply their trade and gain experience with the animals you're raising?

 

[Beekissed]

Well, I can't answer for most folks, but my vet has a phone and responds well to questions. He knows that country folk are concerned about saving money and he tries to be helpful in that way. As he is one of the few vets in three counties and also the cheapest in the area, as well as being very good at his trade, I trust his word on procedures, treatments and the cost efficacy of treatment choices.

How do I know he is good? Because my sister runs to him with every animal she has and pays whatever money it takes to do whatever procedure necessary, no matter the cost, to save or treat each and every animal. She, however, is losing money like it's going down the sink on her farm......

And then complains about the high cost of "farming"....

 

[kimmyh]

It comes down to the bottom line. Will the vet bill come to more than you would reasonably expect to pay for the animal? If so, then, in a business sense, the animal would be culled.

Culls happen.....

Yep culls happen, I raise a goat for 2 years, invest several hundred dollars in her, and she gives me babies for 8+ years, its a pretty good investment. Or, I can tell the goat to live off the land, not spend a dime and expect the animal to give her life for me.

Culling is necessary to improve herds, I cull all the time. If I have a doe had/has trouble kidding, she moves to a pet home, BUT if she is having trouble getting kids out and I can't do the task I call the vet, and spend the money, it is part of being a good steward. That doe didn't ask to be bred to the buck of my choice, and she wasn't able to run free on hundreds of acres. She was at the mercy of my feeding and management program, and it seems the least I can do is all I can do. If I can't afford a vet, I have no business in goats as far as I'm concerned, the same way people who can't afford more children should know when to stop. It is all common sense. I would never cull an animal because it got hurt (unless that injury would cause life long pain) goats can get around on 3 legs and still be productive, as long as it isn't a back leg on a buck.

 

[FarmerChick]

truly prevention is key

I would rarely have a situation that involves the vet anyway.

I have been farming goats for about 14 years now.

When I started I read every internet article I could find, researched how goat farms ran their business, learned all about worms and all those routine care situations, real food vs. treats and crap people feed ruminents.

I have land, I researched pasture rotation. I learned all about kidding.

Then the real experience. I had a few does die from toxemia, ketosis and cocci....I consulted with my vet (great guy) who taught me alot. I can call him and he has me pick up shots etc. Also I learned about meds to do at home.

In other words, I learned about goats. MOST people do not do that. Rumients have their certain way to survive....most people couldn't tell ya the diff. between a ruminent or a dog..LOL

I know goats inside and out and yes I research up to date info and get it from my vet over the phone if needed.

So for me it comes to "know what animals you are farming" and then you don't have alot of trouble for vets.

Now a leg can not be avoided. A fracture etc. happens. To me this is where my hardcore culling takes effect.

I had expensive animals.......NOW if one had a bum leg I would have possibly had an x-ray IF and only IF she was worth it. (that entails previous kidding, age, condition, etc)

A business is a business. The good care animals receive is one thing, going in the hole and out of business because of vet bills added into the expenses is not on my agenda.

It is just the way I handle my farm. As I say, if ya think it needs the vet and you want to do it, then do it. No one is ever stopping anyone from doing their own thing.

 

[ohiofarmgirl]

If I can't afford a vet, I have no business in goats as far as I'm concerned, the same way people who can't afford more children should know when to stop.

this is probably the ugliest thing i have seen on any of the backyard sites. sorry but this is way out of line.

 

[kimmyh]

Please tell me how it is ugly? I have goats, I am not required to have goats, it is a choice, and I am responsible for those goats, the same way I am responsible for my children. Is responsibility ugly? I don't understand your statement?

 

[kimmyh]

If I can't afford a vet, I have no business in goats as far as I'm concerned, the same way people who can't afford more children should know when to stop.

this is probably the ugliest thing i have seen on any of the backyard sites. sorry but this is way out of line.

And by the way I said I, not you, it is how I feel about it.

 

[Blackbird]

I think she was referring to the child part of it.

When you think about it, most of us would not be here if people stopped having children when they got poor, or poorer. Not saying everyone should have children, but I'm thankful that my parents and their parents and so on have, all of which grew up poor with little to no medical care.

 

[DuckLady]

Gone off topic.
Closed for review