How to Give a Goat a Bath

In our continued quest to conquer the bizarre skin problems which have plagued our goats for the past seven months and defied repeated attempts at eradication, we recently consulted a goat specialist and embarked on an agressive treatment program which includes antibiotics, steroids, selenium injections (to boost the immune system), anti-parasite medication at some ten times the labelled dose, and  - this is the best part - weekly baths with betadine scrub. The aftermath of the veterinary visit is a story for another day (ever taken a rectal temperature on a distessed goat by flashlight?) - but today was the designated "Bath Day" so that is today's topic.

As Em and Ellie run for cover at even one raindrop, I was dreading the prospect of bathing them. How on earth would we accomplish this? I don't own any basin large enough to contain a goat. Could we sedate them? I considered putting them in the bathroom shower, but the glass shower door is likely not hoof-resistant and that seemed a recipe for a bloodbath. Eventually our brainstorming brought us to the invention of the "mini-pen," using some portable dog fencing to create a tiny enclosure just large enough to contain two people and one goat. All we needed now was a bowl of betadine solution, scrub brushes, gallons of warm water and a few extra helpers outside the mini-pen to hand things to us and feed the goat an occasional treat.

Unbelievably, we got them soaked, scrubbed, rinsed and dried without too much trauma. There was a slight delay when they drank the entire first bucket of hot water (better than a teapot!) but Elliot was curious enough to venture into the pen first and he didn't really seem to mind it, not even when we doused him with water. Apparently it's only cold water that bothers goats - too bad rain isn't warm...As we rubbed in the foam with scrub-brushes, his eyes drooped closed and he relaxed - I think I'm getting a massage, brother, this must be one of those spa places people talk about!

What better way to spend a sunny afternoon? Now their coats are so silky-soft, never mind that Emily and I are also completely disinfected. Life is good.