Goats get into danger

Our goats love to go roaming up the fields and this is a very natural life for them.   We have to be constantly aware of all the possible dangers – goats aren’t the tough creatures that so many people envisage.  They don’t like rain and can get pneumonia if they are wet and chilled – they always run for home when wet weather threatens.   They are the ultimate escape artists and if there is a fence they can jump or get through they will try.   Torn udders, broken legs, sprains, cuts – get the first aid kit out and call the vet.   Goats that are kept for milking have to be carefully looked after, if a goat tears her udder, which is full of milk glands, it is a real nightmare – try milking a goat with stitches!    It hurts and she won’t let you and then she’ll get mastitis and then…. it goes on and on.  Only with patience and the gentlest of care will you save her.   Don’t neglect even the smallest cut.    Goats are also vulnerable to dog attacks and we’ve seen some horriffic injuries.   It’s generally the dogs who aren’t used to seeing livestock.  All dogs should be kept on the lead on farmland.   They rarely are unfortunately – ‘but he was only playing’ – huh!   The poor goat doesn’t see it like that.

Never feed anything you’re not sure about to a goat.   That juicy looking leaf might be dangerous.  Poison is one of the most common causes of death in goats.  Often it’s because they’ve ate the plant themselves, sometimes because a well-meaning person has thought they were giving them the goat a titbit.

Litter is deadly for all animals, not just goats.   Don’t drop string, rubber bands, wrappings, plastic bags, crisp packets etc. on farmland, we go round picking this stuff up every day.  If a goat, or a horse or a dog or any animal eats any of these they will die in agony at the vets.   You won’t know what the problem is until the autopsy.   Most people are very conscientious but if only everyone would take their litter home.

More goat info in our Pet Advice section.    It’s still legal in the U.K. to ritually slaughter goats – please help our campaign against this if you can.  [donate]