De horning my pygme goat by Banding

[Remmys mommy]

Hello. I am new to this site and I have a question.
So, I have made the decision to dehorn my pygme goat...he's an inside goat and after serious debating, I think this is the best choice for my family. Anywho...I've had the bands on for about 2 to 2 1/2 months, but I do not feel like they are making the progress they should. I banded him at 3 months old. His bands are on but his horns are still growing! I had them as close to his head as possible, but now they have grown and he's going to have some pretty good nubs if this continues. There is a good notch where the bands are working, but I feel like they haven't made any progress lately. I change the bands every week or 2 at the most. My question is, I kinda want to band down lower to his head again, but I feel like its going to be starting this process all over again. What should I do? I thought they would stop growing once I banded and they started getting the indentations, but its not. I did ALOT of research before I did this, so I feel like I've done it right, I just don't know why its taking so long and why they are still growing and if I should start back at the base of the head again. Help please!!!

 

[Alibo]

Inside as in...lives inside the house with you all the time goat? Why?

No judgment just asking

 

[Alibo]

Wish i could be more help but hopefully this will bump you enough to get some more qualified people

 

[Alibo]

And welcome to BYH!

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

It's near impossible to use bands on goats under a year. The horns grow so fast that the band's end up just removing half the horns. It works best on mature goats. I would find a vet to remove them at this point.

 

[Remmys mommy]

Inside as in...lives inside the house with you all the time goat? Why?

No judgment just asking

Yes. I got him as an early v day gift from my fiance. We had land and he was going to be outside when he got bigger. Well, then I lost my fiance in a car accident on Feb 13th. I had to move back to the city and I have no where else to keep him. He does well inside though. He plays and acts like a dog. He wears a diaper inside and when we go outside, he's naked! I know its not an ideal situation, but its mine and its working well for us. He also sleeps in a big dog kennel at night, just like a dog.I have 'goat proofed' my house, so there are things for him to jump and climb on.

 

[Remmys mommy]

Wish i could be more help but hopefully this will bump you enough to get some more qualified people

Thank you.

 

[Remmys mommy]

It's near impossible to use bands on goats under a year. The horns grow so fast that the band's end up just removing half the horns. It works best on mature goats. I would find a vet to remove them at this point.

Thanks. I finally found a vet near me that will see goats, so I will get his opinion. Everything I read was to do it while they were young. Thanks for the help

 

[Remmys mommy]

And welcome to BYH!

Thank you!

 

[Alibo]

So sorry for your loss, I understand why you would want to keep him close