The Health of Goats - With Information on Diagnosis, Treatment and General Care of Goats

By Read Books Ltd.

Authored by experts in the field, this classic manual on goat farming provides information on the practice of keeping a healthy goat livestock and their diagnosis, treatment and general care. Illustrated with photographs and diagrams throughout, it features a variety of information that is still of interest to the goat farmer, animal husbandry enthusiast, or livestock historian today. Contents include: Goat Farming – Ailments – Diseases – Health – Emergencies - Keeping Goats Healthy. We are republishing this rare and early work in a high quality, modern and affordable edition. It comes complete with a new introduction and features reproductions of the original artwork.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Read Books Ltd.
• Release date: Oct 13, 2011
• ISBN: 9781447490692

Book preview

Walsh

Ailments.

OF all domestic animals the goat is perhaps the least liable to disease, and some of the worst of those that attack others leave the goat unaffected. It is, of course, liable to certain ailments, and is more susceptible to trouble in certain circumstances, such as inter-breeding, coddling, mis-managing in regard to rearing, feeding, and so on. But ordinarily, a constitutionally sound goat properly managed will give its owner few worries. It is said that goats in Britain are becoming less hardy, but this I contend is a question of upbringing. Many caprine ailments can well be treated at home, and the goat-keeper should deal with minor illness himself when he can. It is no disgrace, however, but a duty, to seek skilled veterinary attention—blessed phrase!—when required.

Some of the commoner complaints are here dealt with:—

Accidents.—These will happen, even in the best regulated goat herd. Common sense is the best prevention. For instance, do not provide hay in nets for kids; they may become strangled by the netting. Do not tether a goat near a retaining wall with a drop the other side. ’Ware barbed wire. Keep horned and hornless goats apart.

Every goat owner must keep a small medicine chest handy, and know how to use the contents to best advantage. A knowledge of simple first-aid can be acquired readily these days!

Blood-in-the-Milk.—When milk is found to be streaked with blood, this may be the result of a chill, blow, or strain causing rupture of some of the small blood vessels in the udder, or, according to one authority, too rich feeding causing over-stimulation of the mammary glands. Gentle milking, a dose of Epsom salts (1 tablespoonful to a 1/4 pint of water), the temporary cutting down of the rich ingredients of the ration, a bran mash every other day, and liberal green food will speedily cure. I have frequently found that this condition indicates the need for toning up the whole system by giving a course of iron tonic.

Chills and Colds.—A drink of half a pint of warm beer, or a quinine tablet, a sack or