The vet that I used for my cats and dogs does not do livestock(although he has seen my goat for goat pox as a favor) anyway I began using the other vet clinic that does large animals and farm stock. I called the clinic to see if they did disbudding, yes they did, could I watch and see the procedure, yes I could. (I have never seen and wanted to experience this before attempting on my own) Anyway I called back the other day to bring the new kids in and was told they would not do them so young, they were to be between 1 and 2 months old!!! Would be sedated and given local and spend the better part of the morning there. I don't think they know much about goats. I found a very kind couple who have had goats for 25 years(they breed and show toggenburgs) and they showed me what to do this afternoon. The good thing that came out of it was at least meeting some folks who do know about goats(besides all the help from here).

-- Terri in NS (terri@tallships.ca), March 01, 2002

Answers

Terri- the people at the vet's office thought you meant DE-HORNING, surgical dehorning. Sometimes people get disbudding and dehorning confused, especially if it's the office ladies you are speaking to and not the vet. Anyway, you most definitely do not want your babies to be dehorned if there is any way at all that they could be disbudded. I think your vet would have known what to do had you talked to him personally and explained what you wanted done. I have the same problem here, sometimes you just have to ask to talk to the vet about it!!

-- Rebekah (daniel1@itss.net), March 01, 2002.

I explained what I meant disbudding with and iron and not dehorning, and I was speaking to the vet. They refused to do it, saying that the skull was not "closed up" and I was risking brain damage to the kids, by the iron going to far. I said that I had heard this mentioned about pygmy breeds but never of full size dairy breeds.

-- Terri in NS (terri@tallships.ca), March 01, 2002.

In that case, you're right, you need a new vet. This one knows nothing at all about goats!

-- Rebekah (daniel1@itss.net), March 01, 2002.

What school did that vet graduate from?! The sooner kids are disbudded, the better. Just as soon as those horn buds pop through, they're ready. I have nigerians and they are sometimes ready as early as four or five days. Definitely between one to two weeks is the proper time. One of my doe kids, very tiny was just disbudded and you could just barely feel the buds. That's why for these types of procedures, it's best to locate an experienced goat keeper. I'm so glad you found some!

-- Lynn (moonspinner@bluefrognet.net), March 02, 2002.

Yes Terri, new Vet. :>(

-- diane (gardiacaprines@yahoo.com), March 02, 2002.