Cold Goat. Did I Do Right???

[Rebekah CarmichaelStudent]

So during our record cold snow storm in Tn, my old doe started acting off, hunched over and acting cold. I didn’t have much on hand so I gave her a cayenne tincture 1 teaspoon 4 times a day for a couple days and then twice for about five days. Did that tincture do good or did I make it worse. Either way she pulled through, I just want to know if I did the right thing!

[Sydney AlixStudent]

Hi Rebekah,

It sounds like you definitely got her circulation going!

Here are some things that I’ve found to be helpful for caring for goats in winter:

When dealing with cold temps and winter storms, it is very important to make sure that goats are not exposed to wet conditions. If a goat gets wet in cold weather, their body temperature will drop very quickly (especially if it is also windy).

It is also important to make sure that they are staying hydrated. In cold snaps, when waters freeze up and are not as accessible or appealing, goats can neglect to drink enough water. Water plays a very important role in a goat’s digestion (and they will act off if they don’t get enough), so it is very important to make sure that they always have access to good, clean water.

If I have a goat that is acting off in cold winter conditions, I will give them warm water (just don’t make it too warm or hot-especially if they are acting super cold, as you don’t want to “shock” their bodies), with possibly a little bit of blackstrap molasses to encourage them to drink. I’d probably add a little cayenne too, because it is so good for stimulating circulation.

I hope that this helps, just some things that I’ve learned with my goats 🙂 I’m so glad your goat is doing better; I’ve got a couple of older girls as well, and they don’t appreciate the cold winter weather either!

1 user thanked author for this post.

Elizabeth

[Rebekah CarmichaelStudentTopic Author]

It’s always rewarding to know you did the right thing, especially that I correctly put to use herbalism. Yes, all good goat principles to keep in mind. I all so rigged her up a heat lamp. By the evening of the same day she was sick, she wanted to eat again, so I gave her plenty of molasses water, garlic, a little grain. She has always been a tough goat, and is still very much the herd queen despite her age.

[Sydney AlixStudent]

If you ever have any questions on recommended tincture doses (or dosing for herbal powders, capsules, etc.), Doc Jones has a very helpful lesson in the veterinary section called Herb Dosing for Animals.

[Rebekah CarmichaelStudentTopic Author]

Good to know! I went to his website and got the dosing info there! Probably the same as the lesson.

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