Should I get this goat?

southerngurl · #21 05/26/09, 09:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ravenlost

There are two livestock vets on staff at our vet's office. SIGH...hubby is saying NO because we have two dogs and a cat that need spayed, plus four younger dogs who need their one year puppy booster shots.

I'm calling the folks tomorrow to ask the questions y'all have recommended I ask. I was totally clueless about CL and CAE...read the stickies and did some research on it so I'll proceed with caution.

I'll definitely keep y'all updated.

Ok that brought out the enabler side of me.

Get in touch with the humane society, you can probably get your dogs spayed for $15, depending on your income bracket.

You can administer your boosters yourself, other than rabies (you can do rabies, but it's not recognized in the event your dog bites someone).

You probably won't need a vet for this goat. Worm it, and feed it. But watch out for CL

But really you shouldn't get this goat.

lol

RiverPines · #22 05/26/09, 11:45 PM

Dont forget that goats need company. They can not live alone.

Ravenlost · #23 05/27/09, 01:44 AM

Oh yeah, I would definitely get this goat some goat company. Although I gather from the warnings and info here, that I should get her healthy first.

RiverPines · #24 05/27/09, 11:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ravenlost

Oh yeah, I would definitely get this goat some goat company. Although I gather from the warnings and info here, that I should get her healthy first.

Its harder to get a sick goat healthy if its stressed from the fear of being alone. For a herd animal being alone is extremely stressful. They survive because of their numbers. One alone feels its in danger all the time.
Stress is not going to help it get healthier.
Getting a companion for it puts the companion at risk since this goat may be carrying something infectious.

Pass on this goat! Get a pair of healthy animals.

Ravenlost · #25 05/27/09, 06:42 PM

Well, after hubby read everyone's posts he flat out refused to go get the goat. I sure hope someone with more goat experience than I have will rescue the poor thing! If we had any type of animal control here I'd definitely call, but we don't.

Going to keep my eyes open for a pair of healthy goats.

kreddish · #26 05/27/09, 08:31 PM

Gosh... it is so hard to look at a little goat like this, especially if you know you could provide a good home... my bygmys are solid as a watermelon, and for now very healthy

I would not recommend purchasing a sick goat... because these critters are so darn cute... that it will break your hart if the doe comes down with and afwul decease or gets really ill

madness · #27 05/27/09, 08:43 PM

Sounds like a good plan. Get your feet under you first with a couple of healthy critters. Learn to deal with the normal freak-outs of regular goat ownership. Then you can graduate to spreading your loving graces to the goat world to save girls like this one! Your future goats will thank you!

Pony · #28 05/27/09, 08:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ravenlost

Well, some of y'all have me pegged for sure! I don't have any goats, although my Daddy had goats when I was growing up. So, it's been a long time since I've been around them and I really don't know a lot about keeping them (hopefully some of it will come back). I want goats for brush control and maybe for milking (that's what Daddy had...my kids were raised on goat milk).

I was hesitant about this goat, but really felt bad for it. I'm only 17 miles from Hernando. I've done wonders for some very sick, injured dogs and cats. Couldn't I do the same for a goat?

Just want to post this thought, Ravenlost:

If this goat has CAE or CL, you would be setting yourself up with major problems for any goats you'd want to get in the future. CL is probably the worst of it if you aren't breeding, but if you want milk eventually, it's in your best interest to bring in only animals that test negative for CAE.

I know you feel bad for this goat, but there are other goats for you to start your herd. Later, when you've become re-educated in the ways of goats, will be the time to consider rescues.