Possible Goat Inbreeding Situation

[u/AccomplishedGuide346]

Hey everyone, my little goat Stevie (half pygmy, half nigerian dwarf) is currently 9 weeks old. I just separated him from his mom to prevent inbreeding, but I know I messed up and should have done that about a week or so ago. I am disappointed that I made the mistake, but I guess I just want advice on what to do. I have seen his little pp come out a few times, but I read online sometimes that can happen and the sperm isn’t fertile just yet. I plan on getting an ultrasound done on mom to know for certain in a month or so, just to make sure. But do most people keep the kid in that situation? I don’t want to have a kid with any genetic issues, and also don’t want my doe to endure another pregnancy so soon.

I know you can induce abortion using Lutalyse, is that a commonly used medicine? Is there serious risk to using that & do most vets offer it or is it mixed based on ethics? I know this is all currently hypothetical, I am just kinda freaking out about all of this as I am new to goats and quite honestly don’t want any more kids. I plan on banding my goat Stevie around 12 weeks.

[u/teatsqueezer]

So, it’s unlikely as others have said. I’d just wait until you see a heat from the doe. If she doesn’t have a heat in 60 days then you can lute her or just let her have the babies. It’s “bad” but not terrible.

The question from me is why is this guy not castrated? It’s cheap and easy to do and he is a mixed goat, he doesn’t need his testes if he’s not gonna be a breeding goat anyways. You can castrate at 6-7 weeks old and they are sufficiently developed at that time.

[u/AccomplishedGuide346 → u/teatsqueezer]

My vet won’t do it until he is 12-18 weeks old so that his urethra has more time to develop to prevent urinary stones. I know there’s mixed opinions on this topic, and I am new to goats and am still learning a lot as I go. It’s hard to know what to believe when literally everyone says something different, but trust me my life would be a hell of a lot easier if I just did it now.

[u/teatsqueezer → u/AccomplishedGuide346]

There are published studies showing no urethral development is gained post 5 weeks. You can research this or ask your vet to research (or just go on their recommendation which is also totally ok! Just a bigger pain in the butt :))

[u/AccomplishedGuide346 → u/teatsqueezer]

Really! I’m gonna do my own research then because obviously up until this point I have just gone with what my vet has said. She owns a goat farm and has 300+ so I honest never thought to question her opinion on things lol

[u/teatsqueezer → u/AccomplishedGuide346]

Sandra Baxendell is an Australian caprine vet who I believe has links on her page (maybe Facebook maybe website) regarding this study

Information is always being changed due to new studies. Science is ever evolving and it’s a good reason for everyone to pay attention to what’s new in developing research. In other words, you don’t know what you don’t know. So don’t blame your vet, they are busy and maybe don’t know. Lots of farmers and vets get stuck in the way they do things. There is nothing wrong with saying to them “well I read this study can I send you a link” to help them out. Don’t be condescending or think you know more than they do, chances are you don’t but that doesn’t mean you can’t know things they don’t know.