How do you take a goat's temperature?

PricklyPearHill · #1 01/10/14, 11:11 PM

I've read here several times when people are talking about a goat's temperature in relation to sickness etc. How is this done and when should it be done please?

cfuhrer · #2 01/10/14, 11:17 PM

The old fashioned way. A rectal temperature.
Put your goat in a stanchion or tie it off to a fence and use your body to keep its rear end as still as possible. Insert a thermometer in the rectum and listen for the beeps.

As for when- any time you sense your goat is "off". Lethargic, not eating or drinking, grinding teeth indicating pain. The more familiar you are with your goat the more you will notice that something is amiss.

Has anyone here tried one of the ear or temporal thermometers?

where I want to · #3 01/10/14, 11:18 PM

Rectal thermometer placed appropriately. I get it whenever I think there might be an illness. The presence or absence of a temp is valuable info. An adult runs a normal temp of 101 to 103.

Doug Hodges · #4 01/10/14, 11:37 PM

Do it when their forehead feels hot

sorry. It's late.

Rectally when something is off. I even use lube and a sleeve on my thermometer. I would want the same done to me.

still late.

PricklyPearHill · #5 01/11/14, 08:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by where I want to

Rectal thermometer placed appropriately. I get it whenever I think there might be an illness. The presence or absence of a temp is valuable info. An adult runs a normal temp of 101 to 103.

What kind of thermometer? Old fashion glass with mercury or is a quick read digital best?

April · #6 01/11/14, 08:27 AM

I use old fashioned glass, but I wish I had a digital because I always forget to shake the mercury down before I use it. Taking the temp a second time is harder if the goat knows what's coming!

Helena · #7 01/11/14, 09:03 AM

With any of my animals..goats, horses..I tie a little string around the end of it and tie it to the animals tail..Especially with horses..in case it should slip up into the rectum..