Euthanizing pygmy goat

[EdnaGoat]

Hi, I'm new around here. I have seven PET goats- they have no purpose other than cuteness and hilarity, but are practice for the meat goat herd I'll start when I can afford to buy a little more land.

In any case, I've had one little girl for 14 years. She's my bottle baby and is really more of a dog than a goat. She's been heading downhill healthwise for a year- she's got terrible arthritis. The thing is, she hustles her way over for dinner every night, will out to graze and still has her sassy attitude now and then. However, the last week she has been choking on her grain at night, and something poked her eye Wednesday and I'm sure she's blind now. I'm pretty certain it was a horn or a beak or a hoof that did it- she lays down A LOT, and she's not very agile at scooting out of the way anymore. I know those eyes look really terrible, and can really make things look desperate, and animals can get by with one eye just fine, but I really feel like her quality of life has deteriorated significantly in the last week, and I'm worried about how hard a cold winter will be on her. Unless someone has a cure for the arthritis or can imagine why she's choking, I think I'll have to put her down... I was hysterical about it at first, but a few days have passed and I really think it's the right thing.

I can't bear the thought of shooting her. I can get the BF to actually pull the trigger for me, but she'll be buried in the little pet cemetary at my house, and I don't think I could handle looking at her bloody mangled carcass while I'm burying her. So, I called the vet, but he won't sell me the shot to do it myself. I'll have to have him do the farm call, and he'll have to deal with my crying... Do you think another vet might let me buy the shot, or is this a universal rule?

Thanks guys.

 

[chubbydog811]

Around here at least, unless you have an "in" with the vet, they are the only ones allowed to purchase/administer the "final" drug used to put an animal down.

Not to push you one way or another, but a shot to the head actually isn't that bloody/messy and shouldn't mangle the goat. When we shot a sick kid, there was a tiny dribble from the bullet hole, but other than that, there wasn't anything gruesome about it.

Sorry to hear about your goaty though It sounds like she had an awesome life

 

[Stacykins]

I am so sorry that your girl is going downhill. She's had a great, long life with you, though.

I think many vets are used to crying people when it comes to euthanasia. I know my vet clinic sent a sympathy card when we had to put down our last dog (and we were very close friends with the vet, and she wrote such a sweet letter to us). They understand it is hard to put down a beloved pet, heck, I know some vets even get teary and it isn't their pet.

If you can't get the vet to make the farm call or give you the injection to give, shooting is the most humane. Maybe if your BF does the deed, and then wraps your girl in a plastic bag and then nicely with a sheet, it won't be so traumatic for you. Just one possibility.

 

[aggieterpkatie]

I've never heard of any vet who would give someone the solution. I do believe their license could probably be revoked for something like that. My best friend is a vet, and I don't even think she'd consider giving me the solution. Stacykins had a good idea about your BF wrapping her up in something so you don't see her. If the thought of it really bothers you then just pay the vet to come out, or bring her to the vet.

And sorry, it's never easy but you're doing the right thing for her.

 

[elevan]

I do believe that as aggieterpkatie said that a vet could very well lose their license for handing out a "final" drug. If you don't want to have a farm call then a well placed shot is really the best way.

Welcome to BYH, I'm sorry that we're meeting you under sad circumstances.

 

[ksalvagno]

I'm "in" with 2 different vets and there is no way that they would sell me a dose of anything to euthanize. They could lose their license. Would it be cheaper to take the goat into the office? They could come out to the car.

Like others have said, vets are used to crying. I'm so sorry about your situation but I'm glad you are doing the right thing for the goat.

 

[Roll farms]

My vets won't sell us the drugs, either. We wanted to put Doodle down here at home....not drag her to town. When I asked, Dr. Bricker said, "I CAN'T sell it to you."
And they will quite literally sell me almost anything I ask for...and talk me through all kinds of procedures on the phone.

I imagine if someone were to pick up that shot, and then "accidently" poke their jerk husband or awful wife with it and kill them / make them sick.....well...
the practice would be liable.

I'm sorry about your old girl.

FWIW, they won't think much about you crying. Mine have seen me in every state of hysteria....it's pretty common in their line of work.

 

[terrilhb]

Oh I am so sorry. It sounds like she has had a very enjoyable life with lots of love. so sorry it is under these circumstances.