Boys Will Be Boys – More Or Less
I had a bit of a scare at the playground today.
When I got there I went straight to the goats, as i usually do. I got inside and heard one of the little boys baahing. It was the little darkheaded one. As I said yesterday he usually likes to have mommy’s attention. But mommy was right there. I went all the way in, and he was still baahing. And I could hear that it wasn’t the normal “mommy mommy mommy look at me!” baahs. He was complaining about something. It didn’t look like he was doing too good. He didn’t seem comfortable standing. I tried holding him and seeing if I could find out what was wrong. His heartbeat sounded kinda irregular as well. But I didn’t know what to do. So I went up to the main building where the staff were having morning coffee. I asked them if anything was wrong with the little guy? They told me that the boys had been castrated. Ouch. But I told them that he was complaining a whole lot and it didn’t sound too good to me. So Kurt and Per came out to check on him. And something was obviously wrong. So they snipped the wire or band or whatever it is they use to tie around the testicles for castration. As I understand it. The moment they had cut it and put him back down on the ground he stopped complaining.
He was still rather shaken though. Poor little guy. Castration gone wrong. I’m sure all males reading this will cringe a bit. Although castration gone right isn’t a party in the pants either.
So there wasn’t so much fun and adventure today. I spent the entire time sitting inside. Holding the little guy most of the time. Eventually he did get up and move around. Peed and ate and drank. So I think he was okay. Just tired. Meanwhile his brother got tired too. But that was from jumping and running and playing. He didn’t seem to have any problems at all. In fact he started acting like goat kids do at their best. Really climbing and jumping up on me. So that was quite the contrast. I was sitting with one quiet boy in my hands while the other boy was baahing and jumping up on my back. So it goes.
But thank god I decided to go to the playground early today. Otherwise who knows how long he’d have gone around like that. I don’t know if it was dangerous to his health but it sure wasn’t nice. I know it’s just humanizing the animal, but when I sat with him afterwards and he looked up at me with those big, shiny eyes it really felt like he was greatful.
Poor boy. I hope he’s doing a lot better now. And I hope that the fact that the boys will be castrated means that there is a chance that we will keep them. That would be wonderful. I’m already dreading having to let them go.
Let’s hope for all the best for all concerned.
Tomorrow: new season of Lost. Oh boy.
January 22nd, 2009 at 1:10
Poor goatzie! When we had John Boy and Billy banded, they were upset about being held and having it done. But then they were back to normal right away afterwards.
Will they try banding that one again in a few days? Yes, it does sound like they might be thinking of keeping them if they are going to be wethers.
Who would know if the boys were going to stay at the playground?
January 22nd, 2009 at 8:00
Poor little goat! Thank goodness you alerted them or the little guy would suffer so for quite a while.
Castration isn’t a fun thing, but necessary in this case. Maybe the playground will keep them now. I hope so.
January 22nd, 2009 at 22:15
Debster – Yes, the other little boy didn’t seem bothered at all either. I guess little darkheadie was just unlucky. Poor thing.
Per and Kurt talked about getting the vet to come and do the castration. A quick snip then I imagine. They’d be the ones who know if we’ll be keeping the boys as well. I’m hoping for the best.
LuisLemmings – I certainly hope so too. They’re a cute couple of fellas.