Plan for Veterinary and Health Costs

Budget $100-$300 annually per goat for routine care and set aside an emergency fund of $500-$1,000. Routine costs include CDT vaccinations ($5-$10 per dose), fecal egg counts ($15-$30 per test), dewormers ($10-$20 per treatment), and annual vet farm calls ($50-$150). Emergency visits for illness, injury, or kidding complications can cost $200-$1,000+.

Why It Works

Goats are stoic animals that hide illness until problems are advanced. Budgeting for both preventive care and emergencies avoids financial surprises that lead some owners to delay critical treatment. A dedicated health fund ensures prompt veterinary attention.

Tips

• Find a vet experienced with small ruminants before you bring goats home; not all large-animal vets treat goats
• Learn to trim hooves yourself ($20-$40 for quality trimmers) to save $30-$50 per trim visit
• Run fecal egg counts before deworming rather than deworming on a schedule to prevent parasite resistance