The most useful books for keeping your goats healthy

Why am I passionate about this?

I have raised miniature dairy goats since 1998 and encountered many health issues in my goats and those of friends. Only one mainstream book on raising my goats existed when I got them. I decided to write my own book. That plan was put on hold when I became publisher of Ruminations magazine. I frequently wrote about goat health care and reviewed new goat books as they came out. In 2009, I published my book, a comprehensive compilation of articles from Ruminations. Afterwards, I wrote Raising Goats for Dummies. Not many studies are done on goats, but each book has added to the body of knowledge regarding goat health care.


I wrote...

Goat Health Care

By Cheryl K. Smith,

Book cover of Goat Health Care

What is my book about?

Whether you are just starting out with goats or have had a herd for years, this popular and practical guide will be essential! My book includes contributions from well-known goat experts. The book will help you work more effectively with a veterinarian and prevent and identify potential problems. 

It helps you understand goat behavior, provides routine care tips and how-tos such as hoof trimming, disbudding, and giving injections, and addresses common and not-so-common goat health issues, breeding, pregnancy, kidding, and kid care, veterinary medications and dosages, geriatric goat care and end-of-life issues, natural and herbal care, home remedies, and much more.

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The books I picked & why

Book cover of Holistic Goat Care: A Comprehensive Guide to Raising Healthy Animals, Preventing Common Ailments, and Troubleshooting Problems

Cheryl K. Smith Why did I love this book?

This book illustrates the author’s successful hands-on experience raising goats on an off-the-grid farm. She shares in-depth information on optimal feeding practices to meet nutritional requirements, how the rumen works, and the downsides to having kids—something I haven’t found in other goat care books.

I liked reading about the experiences of different goat keepers included in the book. I have been fortunate to attend her presentations on goat care and cheesemaking. Having the book as a reference keeps that knowledge close at hand.

By Gianaclis Caldwell,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Holistic Goat Care as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

"Practical, well written, and comprehensive. . . . Read this book cover to cover, or keep it handy as a reference for all aspects of goat care."-Sarah Flack, author of The Art and Science of Grazing

This one-of-a-kind guide will empower even novice goat owners, offering expert guidance on maintaining a healthy herd-whether they are dairy, meat, fiber, or pet goats

Goats have provided humankind with essential products for centuries; indeed, they bear the noble distinction of being the first domesticated farm animal. From providing milk and meat for sustenance and fiber and hides for clothing and shelter to carrying…


Book cover of Goat Medicine

Cheryl K. Smith Why did I love this book?

Although expensive, this book is one of my go-to books for veterinary issues that my goats may have. It is written by veterinarians and is more technical than some other books on the subject, but it is very useful when working with a veterinarian or just to better understand the various diseases and conditions that goats can get.

I like the fact that studies are often cited to back up information they share, as well as the photos throughout. 

By Mary C. Smith, David M. Sherman,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Goat Medicine as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Fully revised and expanded, Goat Medicine, Second Edition includes discussions on new diseases ranging from bovine spongiform encephalopathy to floppy kid disease as well as major updates on important diseases such as scrapie, mycoplasmosis, paratuberculosis, and urolithiasis. Information has also been added on management of transgenic goats and organic goat production. The text begins by outlining fundamentals of goat practice and moves on to sytems-based coverage of the goat. Each chapter provides clinical anatomy and physiology of every system alongside information on relevant clinical signs, differential diagnosis, and system-specific disease.


Book cover of Diseases of The Goat

Cheryl K. Smith Why did I love this book?

This book is comprehensive and divided into different disease categories. It is written in a way that is accessible to most goat owners and covers initial assessment, causes, signs, diagnosis, and treatment for each disease.

The last chapter addresses surgical techniques, which I haven’t had to refer to much but could be very helpful to goat farmers without access to a veterinarian.

By John G. Matthews,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Diseases of The Goat as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Diseases of the Goat, 4th Edition, is a revised and updated edition of the popular tool for veterinarians featuring of all aspects of goat medicine-from initial assessment and examination to diagnosis, treatment, and control of conditions. This highly practical, concise handbook is designed for frequent reference, and is suitable for all those treating and keeping goats.

Provides information on to predators, euthanasia, post-mortem technique, and fracture repair Includes expanded coverage of a number of topics to appeal to a wider and more international audience especially in relation to poisonous plants Incorporates the impact of new developments in goat diseases, such…


Book cover of The Merck Veterinary Manual

Cheryl K. Smith Why did I love this book?

This detailed book deals with many animals but shouldn’t be overlooked regarding goat health. I refer to it regularly if I have a sick goat and can’t find the info elsewhere. It is broken out by body systems and is the only book that addresses medications in depth.

It has the added bonus of serving as a resource for other livestock and pet care and is comprehensive in its coverage of poisoning—providing information that may be hard to find elsewhere when trying to determine what is making your goat sick. 

By Susan E. Aiello, Michael A. Moses,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked The Merck Veterinary Manual as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

The Merck Veterinary Manual (MVM) covers all domesticated species and diseases in veterinary medicine worldwide. This completely revised and redesigned new edition of the veterinary classic uses a two-column format and color throughout for easy-to-read text and tables. Hundreds of color images enhance and illustrate the text. In addition to extensive revisions and updates, this edition includes a new section on public health and zoonoses, expanded coverage of fish and aquaculture, new chapters on backyard poultry, toxicologic workplace hazards, smoke inhalation, and additional coverage of numerous new and emerging topics in veterinary medicine.

. Completely revised and redesigned in a…


Book cover of Natural Goat Care

Cheryl K. Smith Why did I love this book?

Many goat owners don’t have easy access to a veterinarian or veterinary medicines or just want to raise their goats naturally. This down-to-earth book suggests natural methods to keep goats healthy.

The author discusses various minerals and the types of problems that can be caused when a goat has a deficiency, even offering a checklist of diseases that can indicate such a deficiency. Its biggest strength is that it offers various ways to ensure that your goats stay in optimum condition, avoiding medical or pharmaceutical treatments. 

By Pat Coleby,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Natural Goat Care as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Goats thrive on fully organic natural care. As natural browsers, they have higher mineral requirements than other domestic animals, so diet is a critical element to maintaining optimal livestock health. In Natural Goat Care, consultant Pat Coleby shows how to solve health problems both with natural herbs and medicines and the ultimate cure, bringing the soil into healthy balance. Topics include: correct housing and farming methods; choosing the right livestock; diagnosing health problems; nutritional requirements and feeding practices; vitamins and herbal, homeopathic and natural remedies; psychological needs of goats; breeds & breeding techniques. An invaluable resource for anyone with goats.


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Mindleap: A Fresh View of Education Empowered by Neuroscience and Systems Thinking

By Jim Brown,

Book cover of Mindleap: A Fresh View of Education Empowered by Neuroscience and Systems Thinking

Jim Brown Author Of Mindleap: A Fresh View of Education Empowered by Neuroscience and Systems Thinking

New book alert!

Why am I passionate about this?

I have spent my entire professional life quietly patrolling the frontiers of understanding human consciousness. I was an early adopter in the burgeoning field of biofeedback, then neurofeedback and neuroscience, plus theory and practices of humanistic and transpersonal psychology, plus steeping myself in systems theory as a context for all these other fields of focus. I hold a MS in psychology from San Francisco State University and a PhD from Saybrook Institute. I live in Mount Shasta CA with Molly, my life partner for over 60 years. We have two sons and two grandchildren.

Jim's book list on brain, mind, and consciousness

What is my book about?

In this thoroughly researched and exquisitely crafted treatise, Jim Brown synthesizes the newest understandings in neuroscience, developmental psychology, and dynamical systems theory for educators and others committed to nurturing human development.

He explains complex concepts in down-to-earth terms, suggesting how these understandings can transform education to engender optimal learning and intelligence. He explores the nature of consciousness, intelligence, and mind.

Brown then offers a model of optimal human learning through lifelong brain development within a supportive culture--drawing on the work of Piaget, Erickson, Maslow, Kohlberg, and Steiner--and how that work is being vastly expanded by neuroscience and dynamical systems thinking.

Mindleap: A Fresh View of Education Empowered by Neuroscience and Systems Thinking

By Jim Brown,

What is this book about?

In this thoroughly-researched and exquisitely crafted treatise, Jim Brown synthesizes the newest understandings in neuroscience, developmental psychology, and dynamical systems theory for educators and others committed to nurturing human development. He explains complex concepts in down-to-earth terms, suggesting how these understandings can transform education to truly engender optimal learning and intelligence. He explores the nature of consciousness, intelligence, and mind. Brown then offers a model of optimal human learning through life-long brain development within a supportive culture--drawing on the work of Piaget, Erickson, Maslow, Kohlberg, and Steiner--and how that work is being vastly expanded by neuroscience and dynamical systems thinking.


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