04/26/2026
Y'all don't need to know all the nitty gritty of farming with goats, and yet ain't that what makes a story more compelling? Plus a few of you have said you enjoy my stories and miss my posts. So, here's what today was... A day that is why most farmers are their own livestock doctors 🥴
Last night, little sweet Mango girl got in a sour pickle somehow. When I went to give the mama-baby group their dinner, I saw she was standing kinda spacey with tail down, holding her leg up, and there was just something different than the usual style of a temporary hurt from a squabble or the what-not trouble goats can find. I go to pick her up. She's a super easy going cuddler (being one of triplets, I gave her and brother a bottle a few times that first week to make sure they were all even) but I could tell that Mango's ease this moment was also different, like a relief. And quickly I learned something was not right with the leg, notably not right. I don't know bone details, but I know comparison and it felt messed up, the question was the degree of mess, which was beyond my mind then. So with my son's help, we splinted it with a folded toilet paper roll (small and firm but not too hard) and vet wrap and separated her, siblings, and mama for the night. I finished chores and didn't get much sleep. In the morning, I had to get up extra early to go do the farmers market setup, which is before vets open anyway. I checked her before leaving and zero improvement (not surprised), definitely need to get her seen.
On my way out, I updated my son and put a towel in a tote by the pen. At 8am, he took her to one of our 3 local vet offices. Closed. Head to the next, away for the day. Next, closed. Crud, all three and it's Saturday. And I don't feel competent in understanding this bone mess. Called another vet that I had seen has Sat hours, even though an hour away (that's the next closest anyways). Open but they are very busy and yet can squeeze me in if I head over now. Or later is okay, but will be be a $250 fee for after hours, let alone treatment. So my son brings Mango to me, I tell market folks and head out.
Got there at 9:30am, pretty nice place that takes all animals, multiple horse clients are in stalls outside. I don't get in a room until 10:45. Mango is grinding her teeth from pain but being so good. Ryan, not the doc but an excellent tech as I'll find out, comes in and as I put her on the table, asks if I'm in the human medical field - because of the splint I put on her (surprising comment, but nice). Assessing, he easily can tell it's a fracture with movement. Ugh. He asks am I the type that wants to proceed, xrays and a cast or possible surgery? Seconds of brain processing and question the costs and "what is she worth" and I have no internal answer other than need help. I say I don't think I can manage surgery, but let's do xrays and see what we've got. Doesn't take very long.
It's not good but he says it's actually not too bad (really? two sharp splinters is my best description). I mean yeah ability to mostly line it up is not too bad. Definitely needs a cast and not a quick fix (nor cheap) because anesthesia and pain meds and followup appointments every 2 weeks for at least 6 week span if all heals well. We chat about all that. I'm concerned most immediate about anesthesia because goats are known for not processing it well. He tells me about his experience using it (light on gas and they stop as soon as done so they can come out of it fast) and he has goats of his own and has even done two goat C-sections before. I'm immediately relieved. Okay, get it done. She comes back and looks good, just a little shaking like she's scared or in pain and he says that's the anesthesia. Within 10 min or less, it passed. Okay. I'm pleased but cringing at the followup and say I probably need to go back to local doc since it's so involved and they aren't close. Finish discussing, like his demeanor, info and caring treatment, the other staff, all really good. I go to check out, ooh ouch, her leg "cost a leg" for sure, but the silver lining is now I know I have a qualified emergency vet I can use (so few vets rurally, let alone that know goats very well. In this town we're lucky to currently have a new third vet in town, though soon back to two due to retiring).
I head home, a long hour drive, total for it all is 5 hours. Tired in all the ways. Arriving home, she immediately knew when I parked the car and started crying out for mama Cranberry (Mango was soo good the whole time, only a couple loud cry outs) who quickly loudly replied back until they were together again. Since Mango is stumbling with her first efforts with the thick heavy cast and is of course hungry, but her siblings drank mama low enough, I go get a milk bottle and she guzzles it down. I check a couple times thru the day and she's adjusting well enough for the first day, caught a good nap with family. Good, I need some rest too. Thankfully the day is lovely temps and I don't have to get to big projects today. We'll see what tomorrow brings 😉♥️🐐
