Has anybody ever had this done

countrylivingtx · #1 07/22/14, 01:21 AM

Ok I made a appt today for my 8 month old alpine does 2 of them to get there horns removed the vet said it's a common procedure and i shouldn't worry has anybody ever done this I know its ususally don't within 15 days of birth and there only 8 months I know its gonna be hard on them but there getting mean so I don't have a choice.

DaniR1968 · #2 07/22/14, 09:09 AM

Don't do it. Seriously just don't.

After reading your other posts I'm not sure if you're a troll or for real.

If you are for real, I am scared for your animals. There are lots of places you can get all the information you need especially the very basic information you come here to ask including just reading these forums. Please take the time to educate yourself before you do anything else.

Alice In TX/MO · #3 07/22/14, 09:47 AM

Expensive. Severely traumatic. Aenesthesia may kill them. Do not do it.

Alice In TX/MO · #4 07/22/14, 09:51 AM

Two days ago YOU were having surgery.

WONDERING!!!!!

MDKatie · #5 07/22/14, 09:51 AM

Had it done once to a 6 month old doe. She died. I would never do it again, ever.

motdaugrnds · #6 07/22/14, 09:54 AM

I'm not sure how to respond to this OP. I do not want to disregard what DaniR said; however, I don't really know much about either the OP or DaniR. Thus, I will respect the OP, giving him/her the benefit of the doubt and respond to the inquiry.

I've only had experience with doing what you're considering once and that was with an Alpine buck 8 months of age. This was back when I first started raising goats and was learning from every source I found, putting great trust in the local vets...which in later years proved foolish.

This buck was my first buck and thought taking his horns off was just wrong, though I made sure all the does were hornless. As this buck grew he began using his horns to play and that was making it dangerous for me to tend to the herd...I even got hit by his horns once in my stomach; and that was when I decided it was best to take his horns off. The vet assured me it was done all the time and, at that time, I trusted that vet.

The vet sedated this buck, Luke, telling me what he was doing and why and emphasizing the fact that too much could harm Luke. Then he "sawed" Luke's horns off. The sedation wore off quickly and I chained the buck up in the barn until I was sure his head was going to be ok. During the time he was chained, he was looking depressed to me. Yes I know that is a human trait; still Luke, though alert, was not interested even in eating. (His dam stayed near him all during this time though she was not chained.) After one full day, I unchained him and, still, he was alert yet not playful ... as he had always been prior to this. I offerred him a small amount of grain and, as I neared him, he lowered his head and was heading in my direction. His dam said something and he stopped and looked at her; then he changed his behavior and was not at all intimidating to me. (I could just hear his dam saying, "You'ld better not! Next time, she'll take off your head!") He did eat his grain and was just fine after this.

I'm sure the OP know from his post that it is best to take horns off at an early age; however, should something occur that horns need to be taken off at an older age, I personally would not hesitate to do so. (An unfriendly goat with horns can be quite problematic.)

CraterCove · #7 07/22/14, 10:12 AM

If you absolutely must be rid of their horns, I'd suggest banding instead. The surgery is far too risky. Better, in my opinion, to simply sell them or eat them if they have poor attitudes.

countrylivingtx · #8 07/22/14, 10:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alice In TX/MO

Two days ago YOU were having surgery.

WONDERING!!!!!

I did

countrylivingtx · #9 07/22/14, 10:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alice In TX/MO

Expensive. Severely traumatic. Aenesthesia may kill them. Do not do it.

You must be talking about a different procedure the vet told me that the don't get put asleep for it

countrylivingtx · #10 07/22/14, 10:29 AM

http://www.northsideanimalvet.com/ thats the website of the clinic doing it

MDKatie · #11 07/22/14, 10:30 AM

Dehorning is a surgical procedure, where the vet removes the horns, and along with it, part of the skull. Our goat was left with large holes in her head. NOT pretty, and NOT nice to the goat.

Sawing off the horns is totally different.

CraterCove · #12 07/22/14, 11:10 AM

Neither the de-horning surgery nor the sawing off method is preferable in my mind. Not allowing them to keep their horns from the beginning and dis-budding them is likely the best option. After that, I think my choice would be banding.

I don't care (with few exceptions of people on this board who are vets) what vet is doing the procedure or what they say about its safety. On the whole veterinarians don't know a lot about goats.

DaniR1968 · #13 07/22/14, 11:36 AM

Motdaugrds,

I am normally one to give people the benefit of the doubt and help people new to animal ownership. But...

OP is also posting on the Equine board asking loads of questions about donkeys. Was advised not to get adults if they would be kept with the goats as they might try to kill them. OP was certain with enough fencing it would be fine? OP then announced s/he had decided to get ungelded adult jacks but they would be gelded as soon as they stepped off the trailer and could s/he do it or would that require a vet?

Put up barbed wire fencing to keep in goats (and mini donkeys once they arrive) and only has $200 to replace or make what she has work because surprise, you can't keep goats in with barbed wire. No shelter for goats or chickens but planning more animals. Oh, and could a chain link dog kennel be used as shelter with a tarp or cover for goats, donkeys and chickens? Argues with people who say no and offer alternate ideas.

I can't help but think/hope OP is a troll.

Squeaky McMurdo · #14 07/22/14, 01:50 PM

Here's the tutorial I posted almost a month ago on banding horns. Cookie's haven't fallen off yet but I will update it when they do.

She doesn't really like me anymore. Won't let me walk up to her or catch her unless she's in her doghouse anyway. Take Goat Grudge into account when you do these types of things (my disbudded kids won't come to me willingly anymore either). Hopefully she will become friendly again once she has healed. The other adult doe I did a few years ago as a yearling did.

Banding horns photo tutorial

**mygoat** · #15 07/22/14, 02:01 PM

A surgical dehorn is done with anesthesia - as stated, part of the skull is removed. Sawing may or may not be under anesthesia but is excruciating and IMO SHOULD be done under anesthesia. Banding isn't necessarily instantly painful but can be a long drawn out headache for the animal.

Who are they "being mean" to? Other goats or you? One is normal, the other is by far mostly training in acceptable behavior.

If they are 'being mean' to other goats, that is NORMAL GOAT BEHAVIOR. If you have horned goats, it is your responsibility to accomodate for this behavior by providing ample housing and feeder space so that even despite bullies, everbody has shelter and food/water. Usually horned animals require more feet of bunk space and more square foot of indoor space.

Being mean to you is handling/training. Grab an ear if one goes to butt you, or swat their nose. Knock them over and sit on them. Teach them you're bigger and meaner than they are, they'll respect you. Don't let them push you around when they're little and cute, it isn't so cute anymore when they're 150lbs. (or with bucks, when they're 250lbs!)

What I would do, is leave the horns on. Breed them this fall to the best buck you can find, kid them out this spring, DISBUD THEIR DAUGHTERS BEFORE A WEEK OF AGE with the PROPER GOAT EQUIPMENT and keep the daughters. Sell/butcher the does.

countrylivingtx · #16 07/22/14, 03:34 PM

The vet called me back today to confirm and they said they thought they were 8 days not 8 months and then canceled my appt and to the people that think I'm a troll well im not this is my life and hopeing to get y'alls opinions

DaniR1968 · #17 07/22/14, 04:30 PM

Do your homework and take care of what you already have. Fix your fence and put up shelter before getting any more animals and don't argue or disregard what you are told by people that are trying to help you.

That is my opinion.

countrylivingtx · #18 07/22/14, 05:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaniR1968

Do your homework and take care of what you already have. Fix your fence and put up shelter before getting any more animals and don't argue or disregard what you are told by people that are trying to help you.

That is my opinion.

Speaking of shelter I was thinking about builidng the 3 sided wood shelters with a gate on front would I need one per goat or one for both of them

Joshie · #19 07/22/14, 07:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by countrylivingtx

Speaking of shelter I was thinking about builidng the 3 sided wood shelters with a gate on front would I need one per goat or one for both of them

You would be better off purchasing a good book about goats. I've found good ones at the feed store. Please don't get any more animals. Not to sound rude but how old are you and are you male or female?

CraterCove · #20 07/22/14, 07:27 PM

Where is Sensible with one of her chastising posts when you need 'em? lol :P

Please realize that no one is trying to be rude or mean but we really are concerned for your safety and the well being of your animals and family. I researched for two years before getting goats and still four years after getting my first goat I consider myself only an educated goat apprentice... far from being a master.