Prevention is better than cure

A bespoke health plan can benefit all goat-keepers and their charges, whatever the size of the farm or holding, says vet David Harwood

- David Harwood

In the late 1990s developing health plans became a hot topic for vets dealing initially with dairy cows. The fundamental principle was to develop a written veterinary health plan in partnership with the farm staff and other advisors, rather than waiting for problems to arise.

Each plan attempted to predict potential risk areas, including environment, day-to-day management procedures, nutrition, as well as infectious and noninfectious diseases.

It then set out step-by-step instructions to mitigate each risk. The principle rapidly became accepted more widely and was adopted for other animals, such as pigs and sheep.

Recognising its potential value, the farm health plan began to become a requirement in farm assurance schemes such as Red Tractor and RSPCA Freedom Foods. This ensured that food products originated from farms deemed both healthy and welfare compliant.

Health planning within farm assurance schemes is firmly established in the commercial dairy goat sector, but it is equally applicable to any premises on which goats are kept in the UK, whether for pleasure or profit. It underpins the often-quoted statement that prevention is better than cure.

When developing a goat health plan, there is certainly no one-plan fits-all option when one considers the many reasons why we keep them. Such a plan is developed by the owner and vet working together. It should be reviewed at least annually and made available to others who may be helping to care for the goats.