Skip to main content

Featured

What Animals Teach Us About Enough

Sometimes, when I’m walking through the pasture in the late afternoon, I notice how still everything gets. The goats settle into patches of sunlight. The alpacas stare out over the field like quiet philosophers. The ducks nap together in a soft, feathered heap by the water pools. And the barn cats—always the experts in comfort—drape themselves over whatever warm surface they can find: hay bales, fence posts, sometimes even the hood of the tractor if it’s been sitting in the sun. Every animal has its own way of declaring, I have enough . Our trio of old lady goats—Stumpy, Lumpy, and Grumpy—are especially good at this. On cold mornings, they wait patiently for the first bit of sunlight to touch the barn wall, and then they shuffle toward it, positioning themselves just right to soak in the warmth. No fuss, no schedule, no guilt about not being productive. They simply stand in the sun and exist. Bucket and Sprocket like the dog beds and old couches we left out for them; the youngest goats...
Post a Comment
Read more
Labels

Arthritis and Laminitis in Goats

Goats are hardy, curious, and endlessly entertaining animals. But like all creatures, they’re not immune to health problems — and some of the most common issues we see in older or stressed goats are joint and hoof-related. Two of the big ones are arthritis and laminitis in goats. Both conditions can cause pain, lameness, and long-term mobility problems if not recognized and managed.

Here’s what we’ve learned about spotting these conditions and what you can do to help your herd.

Arthritis in Goats

strange lopsided light brown goat most likely inbred goat
Stumpy

Arthritis is inflammation of the joints. In goats, it often shows up as stiffness, difficulty walking, or swelling around the knees, hocks, or pasterns. Some goats may limp, lie down more often, or avoid jumping on platforms they used to love.

In particular, two of our elderly goats, Bucket and Stumpy, have arthritis in their joints. Per the vet's recommendation, we have them on daily meloxicam and will likely keep them on the anti-inflammatory for the rest of their lives.

There are a few different causes:

  • Age-related arthritis. Just like people, older goats often develop wear-and-tear arthritis over time.
  • Infectious arthritis. Caused by bacteria (like Mycoplasma or Chlamydophila), often following injury or illness.
  • Caprine Arthritis Encephalitis (CAE). A viral infection that can lead to chronic joint inflammation in goats.
In fact, we have dealt with all three of these challenges. Stumpy and Bucket both have age-related arthritis, though we think a stumble last winter may have worsened Bucket's condition. 

fluffy nigerian goat mix female
Gretel

We also lost a goat last fall, Gretel, to what we believe was a mammory abscess that caused her to become septic. One of the most noticeable symptoms was that she had a lot of pain in her ankles and hooves, and was kneeling rather than standing.

And, earlier this year, we lost another goat, Goatatiller, to CAE, which also causes inflammation throughout the body. His symptoms were both arthritic and neurological, and it was a very tragic case. 

I wish I had known about a lot of this sooner, because we may have been able to spare both of them some suffering.

Management tips:

  • Provide soft, dry bedding to reduce pressure on joints.
  • Keep hooves well-trimmed so weight is distributed evenly.
  • Offer ramps or lower platforms so older goats don’t have to jump.
  • Work with a vet to discuss pain management options (like NSAIDs).

Arthritis can’t always be “cured,” but you can make goats more comfortable and maintain their quality of life.

Laminitis in Goats

light brown mixed goat with blue eyes, blue-eyed goat
Bucket
Laminitis is inflammation of the sensitive tissues inside the hoof. It’s painful and can cause long-term damage if not treated promptly. In goats, laminitis often develops after digestive upsets (like eating too much grain), but it can also be triggered by infections, stress, or even other health conditions.

Symptoms to watch for:

  • Shifting weight from foot to foot
  • Reluctance to move or walk
  • Heat in the hooves
  • Lameness, especially in the front feet
  • Over time, abnormal hoof growth (long toes, ridges, or slipper-like shapes)

Management tips:

  • Trim hooves regularly to prevent uneven weight-bearing.
  • Work with a vet to identify and treat the underlying cause (grain overload, illness, etc.).
  • Provide pain relief as prescribed.
  • Adjust diet to focus on forage and avoid high-carb feeds.
  • Use soft, supportive bedding during flare-ups.

Laminitis can become chronic if not addressed, so early intervention is key.

Why Hoof and Joint Health Matter

Whether it’s arthritis or laminitis, the result is often the same: a goat who’s in pain and doesn’t move the way they used to. And when a goat can’t move comfortably, everything else — eating, foraging, socializing — becomes harder.

That’s why hoof trimming, balanced diet, and regular observation are so important. Catching small changes early, like a goat lying down more or moving stiffly, can make the difference between managing a condition and watching it worsen.

Goats may be hardy, but they’re not invincible. Arthritis and laminitis in goats are reminders that even tough little animals need extra care as they age or face health challenges. With regular hoof care, supportive living conditions, and vet guidance when needed, you can keep your goats comfortable and happy well into their later years.

large male alpine goat with massive horns
Goatotiller

Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment