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No matter how prepared we try to be, goat health issues rarely happen at a convenient time. It always seems to be late at night, right before leaving town, or in the middle of another project on the farm. That’s why it’s important to have a goat first aid kit ready to go.

I’ve found that keeping a well-stocked goat first aid cabinet has made caring for our herd much less stressful. Having them organized and ready means I can respond quickly while deciding on the best treatment options and, when needed, contacting my veterinarian.

Being prepared is also a necessity since most local farm supply stores only carry basic livestock health products geared toward cattle and horses, or if they do carry products for goats, many are overpriced.  My preference is to order in bulk from a reputable online veterinarian supply store. In particular, Valley Vet carries most of the goat first aid supplies we use on our farm.

Before we get into the goat first aid supplies, here are a few related tips:

2. Create a place to treat sick goats

Having a designated place to treat or monitor a sick or injured goat makes the process much easier. A hospital pen, or what we call our “sick bay,” provides a controlled space where you can monitor feed and water intake, observe manure, administer medications, and separate an animal from the herd when appropriate.

3. Keep your goat first aid cabinet organized

Keeping all of your goat first aid supplies together in one location makes emergencies less stressful. This also makes it easier to see what is available and what needs to be replaced.

4. Assess your goat before beginning treatment

Before beginning treatment, take time to assess the goat and gather as much information as possible. These observations can help you better understand what may be happening and provide useful information when speaking with your veterinarian.

• Body Condition: Look at the goat’s overall body condition and note whether there has been any recent weight loss or change in condition. Look to see if the coat is unkempt or appears dull.
• Behavior: Pay attention to how the goat is acting compared to normal. A goat that is standing away from the herd, reluctant to move, less alert, signs of pain or discomfort, ability to stand and walk normally, grinding its teeth or not interested in feed may be showing signs that something is wrong. 
• Temperature: Taking a rectal temperature can help determine whether fever or an abnormally low temperature may be part of the concern.  
• Manure: Observe changes in consistency, color, frequency or amount. Loose manure, very dry manure, a lack of manure or other changes may provide additional information about the goat’s condition. 
• Other observations: Swelling, wounds or tenderness, color of the lower eyelids and gums
• Also consider if there has been any recent changes in feed, weather, pasture, housing or herd management

Goat first aid supplies

The supplies below are what I keep stocked in our goat first aid cabinet on our farm. Over the years, I’ve added to this collection based on the health issues we’ve encountered, recommendations from our veterinarian, and what I’ve found most useful to have readily available when caring for our goats.

As your herd grows and you gain experience, you’ll likely adjust your own first aid cabinet based on your management practices, veterinarian’s recommendations, and the health challenges most common in your area.

The majority of these items can be ordered directly from Valley Vet, an online veterinarian supply company, which makes it easy to get the goat supplies you need.

General goat first aid supplies

These are basic first aid supplies I keep on hand. They are handy in most situations:

• Syringes with needles – I use 18-gauge needles because they can handle thicker medications, such as LA 200 or Penicillin.
• Clippers – if you need to trim hair around any areas with wounds. Coarse blade set.
• Iodine – use with newborn navels; also a good option for disinfecting wounds.
• Gloves – it’s always good to wear gloves anytime you’re handling your animals for health care or first aid. It not only helps keep things clean, but also helps minimize the chance of passing zoonotic diseases from livestock to humans.
• Halter – a way to help secure the animal you’re working with. You can often treat an animal on your own with a halter.
• Marking paint – I use this to keep track of which animals I’ve worked with.
• Thermometer – if an animal’s behavior is off, I’ll check its temperature. It can be a sign of health concerns, especially with youngstock or pregnant does.
• Horse lead – I’ll often use this like a halter, looping it around at the end to help secure an animal I’m working with.
• Crook – I use these to help catch animals if I need to do a quick health check. I use it most often when I’m out on pasture with the herd.
• A bin to hold your items with a handle – it’s simply easier to keep everything together when you’re working with your goats. 
• Old towels
• Paper towels
• Flashlight or headlamp

Supplies for open wounds, skin issues

These supplies are for any skin issues, including topical parasites or cuts or puncture wounds.  

• Vet wrap – use to adhere any bandages. 
• Gauze pads
• Non stick pads
• Spray bandage – for areas that are harder to bandage or for quick care when grazing on pasture or in the woods. 
• Tri-care triple action wound treatment
• Antiseptic would spray Blu-Kote
• Vetericyn Wound Care
• Screw worm spray – for any fly strike
• Ultra boss
• Ring worm treatment 

Hoof care supplies 

These supplies are for routine hoof trimming and any hoof concerns. Keeping hooves properly maintained helps support soundness and mobility, while also giving you an opportunity to inspect for injuries, hoof rot, abscesses, or other hoof concerns that may require additional care. 

• Hoof rasp
• Hoof Trimmer
• Hoof and Heal
• Vet wrap – I will use this along with the gauze pads to wrap any hooves I’m treating.
• Gauze pads 

Deworming and internal parasite management

Internal parasites are one of the most common health challenges goat owners face. Rather than deworming on a routine schedule, deworm goats when they show signs that treatment is needed. 

When treatment is necessary, I work from the American Consortium for Small Ruminant Parasite Control  recommendation of using multiple dewormers from the three different classes of dewormers. If we’re doing herd health, I will typically use three. Other times of the year, I may use two. 

• Cydectin, Levamizole, Safeguard
• Drench Gun – for administering dewormers. I have several of these.
• Copper Bolus (also see minerals section) – use to help with barberpole worm.
• Bolus gun for copper
• Corid – for coccidiosis; I typically will administer individually. 

Banding young bucklings

These supplies are used for banding: 

• Rubber bands
• Medicated bands – an option for reducing initial pain.
• Banding tool – Small – Large

Minerals and supplements

I keep these products on hand as part of our overall preventive health program. 

• Loose goat mineral 
• Mineral feeder – I like this three-compartment, ground-level style because it stays fairly dry and the goats can stick their nose under the cover to access the mineral.
• Copper Boluses – we use these for two reasons: (1) there’s research showing they can help minimize barberpole worm infection, and (2) we run our sheep and goats together, so it’s a way to give our goats additional copper since they share the same sheep mineral. Goats have higher copper requirements than sheep.
• Plunger for copper boluses – I like to have a few on hand.
• B12 – this is a good supplement to have on hand to add extra support to animals with health concerns.
• Blue Lite – a goat electrolyte mix. We use it in a variety of situations where goats may experience additional stress, such as does that have recently kidded, newly weaned kids, extreme heat, or other stressful situations. 

Eye care

Goats can occasionally get dust or other debris in their eyes, especially when grazing, eating hay, or during dry weather.  

• Vetericyn Pink Spray

Fly spray

Flies can be more than just a nuisance. They can irritate goats, contribute to stress, and become a problem around wounds. We use fly spray as needed when flies begin to become an issue. 

• Fly spray

Vaccinations 

I typically order vaccines as they’re needed rather than keeping a large inventory on hand. 

• CDT – standard
• Pneumonia – not required, but a good option if your climate has a lot of variation in temperatures with the changing seasons. In the Midwest, spring in particular can swing from hot to cold in the same day, creating prime conditions for respiratory issues.