Got a question? 🤔

Head over to -- https://thriftyhomesteader.com/call-the-vet-now/ -- and drop it in the comments—so we can reply!

Description

Most goat owners have faced a moment of uncertainty—staring at a sick goat and wondering, “Should I call the vet?” In this solo episode, Deborah Niemann lays out the answer with clarity and urgency.

While goats are often thought of as hardy animals, they are also prey animals that instinctively hide illness until they’re critically sick. This episode covers the top emergency symptoms that signal you need to stop Googling, skip the Facebook group, and call a veterinarian immediately.

Drawing from decades of goat-keeping experience and real-life stories (including her own hard lessons), Deborah walks through what serious symptoms look like, what they might mean, and why waiting too long can cost your goat its life. She also explains when supportive care at home can help while you wait for the vet to arrive—and when it can’t.

What you’ll learn:

• The most common and overlooked emergency signs in goats
• Why not eating or drinking is a major red flag, not a minor issue
• How to identify true bloat (ruminal tympany) versus hay belly
• The meaning behind a goat screaming, grinding teeth, or lying down and not standing
• The difference between ruminal and abomasal bloat—and why it matters
• Signs of neurological distress, including circling, blindness, and seizures
• Why urinary blockage is a life-threatening emergency in wethers
• How to tell the difference between pooping and peeing behavior
• The dangers of bloody or rusty urine, and when it could signal copper toxicity
• Why Pepto Bismol is not a real treatment for diarrhea in kids
• What a goat’s fever (or low body temp) may indicate—and what to do
• Recognizing tetanus symptoms before it’s too late

Resources Mentioned:

• Goat Bloat (article)
• Podcast episodes on:
  • Listeriosis in Goats
  • Goat Polio
  • Urinary Calculi
  • Skin Cancer in Goats: Melanoma
  • Tetanus in Goats

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To see the most recent episodes, visit ForTheLoveOfGoats.com

Want to support the content you love?
Head over to -- https://thrifty-homesteader.ck.page/products/love-goats-tip-jar

Thanks for tuning in!

No one ever said raising goats was easy, but it doesn't have to cost a fortune or drive you crazy! You just need the right information.

🔹 Check out Goats 365 membership

🔹 Or explore The Goat Academy

Happy goat-keeping! 🐐

Send us a text - we love hearing from you! Just a heads-up: this is a one-way inbox, so we can’t respond here!

Got a question? 🤔

Head over to -- https://thriftyhomesteader.com/loss-of-a-beloved-goat-or-pet/ -- and drop it in the comments—so we can reply!

Description

Losing a beloved animal—whether a goat, dog, cat, or any other companion—can be absolutely heartbreaking. In this episode of For the Love of Goats, I’m joined by Beth Bigler, a double-certified Pet Loss Grief Counselor, animal companion end-of-life doula, and trained pet chaplain. Beth is also the author of the upcoming book Honoring Our Animals: 365 Meditations for Healing After Pet Loss (out June 3 from Quarto Books), and the creator of the popular Instagram account @honoringouranimals.

Together, we discuss how grief over losing an animal is real, valid, and deserving of support. Beth shares insights from her years of working with grieving pet owners, veterinary professionals, and animal care workers—and how we can start to heal after a loss. Whether you’re currently grieving or want to better support someone who is, this conversation is filled with compassion, honesty, and practical tools for navigating this tender experience.

🐐 🐐 🐐

See full show notes here >> https://thriftyhomesteader.com/loss-of-a-beloved-goat-or-pet/

To see the most recent episodes, visit ForTheLoveOfGoats.com

Want to support the content you love?
Head over to -- https://thrifty-homesteader.ck.page/products/love-goats-tip-jar

Thanks for tuning in!

No one ever said raising goats was easy, but it doesn't have to cost a fortune or drive you crazy! You just need the right information.

🔹 Check out Goats 365 membership

🔹 Or explore The Goat Academy

Happy goat-keeping! 🐐

Send us a text - we love hearing from you! Just a heads-up: this is a one-way inbox, so we can’t respond here!

Got a question? 🤔 Head over to https://thriftyhomesteader.com/from-lab-coat-to-cheesecloth/ -- and drop it in the comments—so we can reply!

What happens when a medical career ends—but a passion for something totally different begins? In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Kandice Marchant, a retired physician who traded her lab coat for a cheesecloth. After years of serving patients, Kandice now crafts artisan cheese, bringing a scientist’s precision and a cheesemaker’s creativity to every batch.

We talk about:

• How her medical background turned her on to cheesemaking
• What sparked her interest in artisan cheese to begin with
• Creating her own signature cheeses
• Opening a retail shop
• Why it's never too late to start a second act

If you’ve ever dreamed of changing careers, getting into cheesemaking, or just love hearing from people who follow their passion—you’ll love this episode.

See full show notes here >> https://thriftyhomesteader.com/from-lab-coat-to-cheesecloth/

To see the most recent episodes, visit ForTheLoveOfGoats.com

Want to support the content you love?
Head over to -- https://thrifty-homesteader.ck.page/products/love-goats-tip-jar

Thanks for tuning in!

No one ever said raising goats was easy, but it doesn't have to cost a fortune or drive you crazy! You just need the right information.

🔹 Check out Goats 365 membership

🔹 Or explore The Goat Academy

Happy goat-keeping! 🐐