Unicorn horn 🤔 what to do

[DSetere]

Hello. I received a wether yesterday with his sister, ND goats. He has a horn that sticks straight out, just like unicorn. I'm very concerned for my mini herd. At 3 yrs old its been suggested that we saw it off. How tramactic will that be?? Should he be sadated, is there bleeding issues??
Debbie

 

[Skiesblue]

A vet is the best person to ask. Sawing a horn can cause serious and possibly lethal bleeding. A vet can get the job done quickly and control bleeding.

 

[Mini Horses]

Agree. There are blood vessels in there. And sinus cavities not far under. Its best for vet help.

Note -- goats do not take sedation well. So vet can keep it light, numb horn base, cauterize and bring back awake with reversal meds....then provide antibiotics & pain meds.

 

[rachels.haven]

Some people band goat horns. I've only banded horn like scurs. It's a little bit painful, but if it saves his life it may be worth it to him. Don't saw it off. That blood supply is too large.

 

[Skiesblue]

Always have a human grade stop bleed product handy. Not the stuff in the little tubs it hardens into a useless glob. The envelopes, at Walmart. They’re cheaper too.

 

[Ridgetop]

If he is 3 years old, his horns are fully formed and have lots of blood vessels. Removing the horn yourself can be done but he could bleed to death.

I suggest you take him to the vet. The vet will anesthetize him and saw off the horn, cauterize the blood vessels, give him antibiotics, and you will take home a hornless wether with no pain except when you write your check.

You can saw off the horn yourself which will be bloody and painful for him as he screams and struggles. Very nasty for you as well. You will need to cauterize the spurting horn base and give him antibiotics.

I have seen the second way done 30+ years ago on a couple of butcher wethers by an old-time breeder. It wasn't pleasant. I suggest you take him to the vet. If he only has one horn, he was possibly disbudded improperly and one horn scurred or continued to grow. It is important when disbudding to get the entire horn bud down to the skull.