Lorrie Boldrick's and Lydia Hale's PYGMY GOATS: MANAGEMENT AND VETERINARY CARE is a very welcome, comprehensive, easy to read guide for owners and breeders of miniature goats.
Following an amusing and informative introduction by Ann Werts called "Why Goats," there is a short history of the origin, importation and developing popularity of the Pygmy Goat, and then it is on the "The Normal Pygmy Goat," which makes sense. If one is to recognize problems, it is essential to first know what the Pygmy looks and acts like when all is as it should be. This section includes advice on training and temperament.
The management portion of the book covers everything from housing and feeding to parasites and hoof trimming. Herein are the pages on vaccination schedules, reproduction and neonatal care.
"Veterinary Care Techniques" begins with signs to check for illness and medications, then lists dozens of possible problems: gastro-intestinal, musculo-skeletal, urinary, respiratory, etc. with explanations of each as well as methods of treatment. "Surgical Management" has its own section with information on anesthesia, wattle removal, dehorning and numerous other procedures.
Neophytes and experienced hands will use the appendix for its glossary, drug doses, references and other basic data.
Lorrie Boldrick, a practicing veterinarian since 1968, with special interest in caprine medicine, received her DVM from the University of California at Davis. Lydia Hale has been raising Pygmy Goats since 1974 with a primary concern for proper herd manangement. Both have been active members of the National Pygmy Goat Association since its inception, as officers and founders of the original judges training course, as well as performing many other services. Boldrick and Hale know their subject and write about it in an easily accessible manner. Excellent illustrations add to this book's value.
I highly recommend PYGMY GOATS: MANAGEMENT AND VETERINARY CARE for veterinarians as well as for all those who own and are involved with Pygmy Goats.
Beth Buchholz, D.V.M.
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