Although oesophageal fistulation of sheep and cattle is common practice, little information is available on the fistulation of Boer goats and Angora goats and its effect on their behaviour. Further, information is scant on the use of fistulated goats in sampling bushveld.
It was found that the goats were very sensitive to general anaesthetics and could not withstand normal dosages. Accordingly, only sufficient general anaesthetic was administered to tranquilize the animals and the site of the operation was then anaesthetised locally. Post?operative recovery was rapid and the goats showed no signs of discomfort. Sampling in dense bushveld was carried out successfully with fistulated goats with little further modification to the procedure.
Journal articles from the Grassland Society of Southern Africa (GSSA) African Journal of Range and Forage Science as well as related articles and reports from throughout the southern African region.