Assessing Goat Health
I always tell new goat owners that the secret to raising goats is to just pay attention. That is easier said than done, and honestly, it takes practice to notice changes in behavior that will tell you something is wrong. This section will provide a primer to assess your goat's health by observation of their behaviors and symptoms.
General Alertness- Goats ears should be erect and alert. The tail should be up more than down. There should be a gleam in their eyes and a general erectness throughout their whole bodies. If a goat is depressed you will see the opposite symptoms, but don't confuse sleepiness with actual depression.
Bleats- Goats are quiet when they are content. They still make noises regularly, but you can learn to distinguish a distress bleat from a HELLO bleat. Goats who are coming into estrus can be VERY noisy.
Coat and Skin- Coats should be shiny and lustrous. Skin should be supple, and free of blemishes and flakes.
Membrane Color- The eyelids and gums should be bright pink. Pale eyelids indicate anemia, which is usually caused by intestinal parasites. You will learn more about FAMACHA testing later.
Body Condition- Goats should be neither thin, nor fat. Either extreme can indicate problems. Open (unbred) does tend to gain weight as they hit one year of age and can become overconditioned, and tend to lose body mass and become underconditioned as they hit the peak of their lactations after kidding. It's important to gradually increase feed as a doe reaches her due date, kids and starts to lactate. Her body requires more feed when she is working. There is a great educational video on assessing body condition from ADGA here. Many new goat owners confuse "hay belly" with bloat or a goat being too fat. If the goat has a big belly full of hay but otherwise acts normal, she is fine. The belly is not even considered when you are assessing body condition. Bloat is a condition where the rumen is out of balance and usually in an acidic state causing painful gas and bloating. I've seen it on my farm once. There was cud flying everywhere and the doe was in extreme pain and screaming. It was easily cured and I'll tell you how later.
Appetite- Goats are browsers and are usually eating or chewing their cud most of the day. If a goat is not chewing her cud regularly this could indicate a problem with the digestive system.
Pain- Goats will grind their back teeth if they are in pain. Do not mistake chewing cud for grinding of the teeth. If they are grinding you can audibly hear it from a few feet away.
Temperature- Normal goat temperature, taken rectally, should be about 103° F. High temperatures indicate a fever most likely caused by an infection. Low temperatures can indicate that the body is shutting down. Goats, including babies, will go off feed if their body temperature is lower than 100°F.
Heart Rate and Respiration- Heart rate should be 70-90 beats per minute. You can check heart rate between the ribs and the elbow. Respirations should be 12-20 breaths per minute.
Rumen Contractions- As the goat ruminates, you should be able to hear contractions which sounds like a stomach growl. Goats should have one or two contractions per minute. If you put your ear to their bellies you can easily hear them.
Waste- Adult droppings should be dark brown, round, firm and fairly dry. Urine should be light-medium yellow to clear.
I always tell new goat owners that the secret to raising goats is to just pay attention. That is easier said than done, and honestly, it takes practice to notice changes in behavior that will tell you something is wrong. This section will provide a primer to assess your goat's health by observation of their behaviors and symptoms.
General Alertness- Goats ears should be erect and alert. The tail should be up more than down. There should be a gleam in their eyes and a general erectness throughout their whole bodies. If a goat is depressed you will see the opposite symptoms, but don't confuse sleepiness with actual depression.
Bleats- Goats are quiet when they are content. They still make noises regularly, but you can learn to distinguish a distress bleat from a HELLO bleat. Goats who are coming into estrus can be VERY noisy.
Coat and Skin- Coats should be shiny and lustrous. Skin should be supple, and free of blemishes and flakes.
Membrane Color- The eyelids and gums should be bright pink. Pale eyelids indicate anemia, which is usually caused by intestinal parasites. You will learn more about FAMACHA testing later.
Body Condition- Goats should be neither thin, nor fat. Either extreme can indicate problems. Open (unbred) does tend to gain weight as they hit one year of age and can become overconditioned, and tend to lose body mass and become underconditioned as they hit the peak of their lactations after kidding. It's important to gradually increase feed as a doe reaches her due date, kids and starts to lactate. Her body requires more feed when she is working. There is a great educational video on assessing body condition from ADGA here. Many new goat owners confuse "hay belly" with bloat or a goat being too fat. If the goat has a big belly full of hay but otherwise acts normal, she is fine. The belly is not even considered when you are assessing body condition. Bloat is a condition where the rumen is out of balance and usually in an acidic state causing painful gas and bloating. I've seen it on my farm once. There was cud flying everywhere and the doe was in extreme pain and screaming. It was easily cured and I'll tell you how later.
Appetite- Goats are browsers and are usually eating or chewing their cud most of the day. If a goat is not chewing her cud regularly this could indicate a problem with the digestive system.
Pain- Goats will grind their back teeth if they are in pain. Do not mistake chewing cud for grinding of the teeth. If they are grinding you can audibly hear it from a few feet away.
Temperature- Normal goat temperature, taken rectally, should be about 103° F. High temperatures indicate a fever most likely caused by an infection. Low temperatures can indicate that the body is shutting down. Goats, including babies, will go off feed if their body temperature is lower than 100°F.
Heart Rate and Respiration- Heart rate should be 70-90 beats per minute. You can check heart rate between the ribs and the elbow. Respirations should be 12-20 breaths per minute.
Rumen Contractions- As the goat ruminates, you should be able to hear contractions which sounds like a stomach growl. Goats should have one or two contractions per minute. If you put your ear to their bellies you can easily hear them.
Waste- Adult droppings should be dark brown, round, firm and fairly dry. Urine should be light-medium yellow to clear.
When you Suspect Something is Wrong
1. Don't panic. Unless the goat is mortally injured or actively dying, you still have time to help her .
2. The first thing to do is to take the goats temperature. If you call your vet or your mentor its the first thing they are going to ask you, and knowing her temperature will rule out a whole heap of issues. Use a digital thermometer from the dollar store and lubricant to take her core temperature and record.
3. Is she off feed?
4. Is her waste normal?
5. Are her membranes pink?
6. Note any other symptoms you are seeing using the guide above and call your vet or goat mentor.
1. Don't panic. Unless the goat is mortally injured or actively dying, you still have time to help her .
2. The first thing to do is to take the goats temperature. If you call your vet or your mentor its the first thing they are going to ask you, and knowing her temperature will rule out a whole heap of issues. Use a digital thermometer from the dollar store and lubricant to take her core temperature and record.
3. Is she off feed?
4. Is her waste normal?
5. Are her membranes pink?
6. Note any other symptoms you are seeing using the guide above and call your vet or goat mentor.
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