Barnyard emergencies are rare, but when they do occur, it’s best to be prepared. You can make and stock your own emergency kit to respond to the most common illnesses and injuries that affect goats. Use this list to make sure you have what you need to take the initial steps to care for your pets in an emergency, as you wait for the veterinarian.
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The last emergency that happened on our farm took place one year ago. One of our doelings got her head stuck in a cattle panel fence and broke her horn. After calling the vet, I was able to get the bleeding under control and stabilize her for transport to the clinic.
Thankfully, livestock emergencies are a rare occurrence. When they do happen though, a readily available and well-stocked emergency kit can be a real life saver.
Responding to Emergencies on the Farm
Putting together a first aid kit can help you respond quickly and provide preliminary care for your pet in distress. A first aid kit is not, however, a replacement for veterinary care. If your goat is experiencing an emergency, please seek veterinary advice and care immediately!
It is a good idea to establish a relationship with a licensed veterinarian before an emergency occurs. If they are familiar with your animals and operation it will be easier for them to give you advice over the phone.
Keep your veterinarian’s number handy. Save it in your phone and tape it inside your emergency kit!
Here are the items that we keep on hand for responding to emergencies while we await veterinary care:
1. Thermometer
Keep a rectal thermometer on hand to monitor the body temperature of your goat. A goat’s normal body temperature is 102-103 degrees Fahrenheit. A low body temperature could indicate hypothermia while a high body temperature could indicate an infection.
2. Stethoscope
A stethoscope can help you determine if an animal in distress has a heartbeat. You can also use it to listen to lung or abdominal sounds.
3. Vet Wrap
Vet wrap is like a Band-Aid for animals. It’s great for covering cleaned wounds because it is flexible, self-adherent, and breathable.
4. Gauze
Rolls of gauze and gauze squares are useful for cleaning and packing wounds or soaking up blood.
5. Cloth Tape
Cloth tape is helpful for keeping wound dressings in place. I have also used it to tape up a teat so that kids can focus on nursing on the other side of the udder to prevent engorgement and discomfort in the doe.
6. Scissors
Scissors can be used to cut tape, gauze, or vet wrap when you are dressing a wound. You can also use them to clip hair from an injury site.
7. Exam Gloves
Use disposable exam gloves to maintain cleanliness when responding to an emergency.
8. Rubbing Alcohol
Rubbing alcohol (isopropyl alcohol) can be used as an antiseptic for wounds or for cleaning surfaces and equipment.
9. Hydrogen Peroxide
Hydrogen peroxide can be used as an antiseptic for cleaning wounds.
10. Iodine
Povidone iodine can be used as an antiseptic for wounds. This is what I apply to the umbilical cord of our newborn goats. For more information on building a kidding kit, click here to read my other article!
11. Electrolytes
Electrolytes can help a dehydrated goat. Electrolyte paste can be given orally or powdered electrolytes can be mixed with water and used as a drench or added to drinking water.
12. Probiotics
Probiotics are beneficial bacteria and yeast that can help a goat that is having abdominal issues. They are available in many forms including paste and powder that can be added to feed.
13. Syringes
It is helpful to have syringes in different sizes on hand. I keep 3ml, 5ml, 10ml, and 50 ml syringes in my first aid kit. The smaller syringes are useful for giving injections and the large ones with a catheter tip can be used to drench a sick goat.
14. Needles
Keeping several sizes of needles on hand is a good idea too. I most commonly use 1 inch long 18-gauge needles for administering injections to my goats. A shorter needle is good for subcutaneous injections, while a longer needle is needed for intramuscular injections.
15. Tweezers or Hemostats
Tweezers or hemostats can be helpful for holding or grasping a small foreign object.
16. Vitamins
I keep a bottle of injectable vitamin B complex on hand for sick goats or those exhibiting signs of polio. Consult with your veterinarian if dosing for goats is not listed on the label.
17. Tums
Tums contain calcium carbonate and can be used to provide an oral source of calcium supplementation for a goat. Most goats take them readily like they are a treat!
18. Clippers
You can use clippers to trim a goat’s hair so that you can see the extent of an injury.
19. Blood Stop Powder
Use blood stop powder to help a bleeding wound clot more quickly. The kind with a shaker top makes it easy to apply.
20. Resuscitator
I keep a resuscitator made for lambs in my first aid kit for newborn goats that are not breathing. The mask and pump can remove mucous from the airway and help inflate the lungs.
21. Antiseptic Spray or Ointment
Antiseptic spray or ointment can be applied to wounds that have already been cleaned with rubbing alcohol or hydrogen peroxide. Some of my favorites are Blu-Kote aerosol spray and Nu-Stock ointment.
22. Eye Spray
For eye injuries or irritation, an eye spray is very helpful. The spray can help flush the eye and provide lubrication and temporary relief.
23. Rope Halter
Use a rope halter to restrain your sick or injured goat so that you can examine him or provide care. These are nice because they are adjustable to different sized animals.
24. Bucket
Keep a bucket handy for providing your animal food, water, or supplements. Use it to wash wounds or carry equipment or supplies. You can even keep the entire first aid kit in a bucket so that it is easy to grab.
25. Towel
Clean old towels are great for wiping or drying animals (or your hands) in an emergency. You can even use a towel as a stretcher for moving a goat that is down.
Mother, farmer, author, and teacher by trade… She loves tending to things and watching them grow!