Expert: Cheryl K. Smith - 11/4/2009

Question
I purchased a one day old goat at a flea market this week.
She is now four days old.  I am bottle feeding her,keeping her in house in playpen.  She is nursing fine. She follows me around and I believe she thinks I am Mom. No accidents at all. She goes out on a leash to do her duty outside. Amazing to me.

Today when she woke up she sounded horse.  Ate fine after I finally got milk warm enough to her liking.  She is walking around and active.  I am just concerned about the sound of her. Can she have a sore throat?  What vaccines or other things does she need?  Our vet does dogs, cats, etc.  They did give my fainting goats their over eating shot and tetnus.  Am I just being too over concerned?   I am not sure if she got Mom's milk at all. Feeding her dried milk supplement for all animals which I used on my fainting goats when they were infants.

Answer
I've never heard of a goat with a sore throat. If she is acting fine, then that's all you need to worry about for now. She should have the CDT shot, and possibly BoSe. I hope she got the colostrum from her mom, that gives her immunity. What is the dried milk supplement? It should be goat or sheep milk replacer--must be if you used it on your fainting goats. You know she needs a goat friend though, right?

I know how well they do in the house, though. I have had some orphans and others that I kept in a playpen and they can even be housebroken. Fun little critters. Just relax unless she is acting unwell.