Goat Temperature, Pulse, and Respiration: Normal Ranges and When Readings Are Concerning

For most adult goats, a normal rectal temperature is 102-103°F, a normal pulse is 70-80 beats per minute, and a normal respiration rate is 12-15 breaths per minute. Cornell notes that kids may have higher values than adults, so age matters when you interpret the numbers.

A mild increase can happen after chasing, transport, heat exposure, or excitement. If your goat has been active or stressed, let them rest quietly for 15-30 minutes and recheck if it is safe to do so. A single reading taken right after exertion can be misleading.

Use a digital rectal thermometer with a little lubricant to take temperature. Gently insert it into the rectum and hold it in place until it reads. For pulse, you can feel the heartbeat behind the left elbow or feel the femoral pulse on the inside of the upper rear leg. Count beats for 15 seconds and multiply by 4.

To measure respiration, watch the chest or flank rise and fall while your goat is standing quietly. Count each inhale-exhale cycle as one breath for a full 60 seconds. If your goat is panting from heat or stress, note that when you report the number to your vet.

A temperature that remains above 103.5-104°F after rest deserves attention, especially if your goat also has cough, nasal discharge, depression, poor appetite, diarrhea, or reduced rumen activity. Merck Veterinary Manual notes that goats with serious respiratory disease may have fever in the 104.5-106°F range, along with rapid breathing, cough, weakness, and nasal discharge.

Low temperature can also be serious, especially in kids, thin goats, or animals exposed to cold, shock, or severe illness. A pulse that stays much faster than normal at rest, a very weak pulse, or breathing that is persistently rapid, shallow, labored, or open-mouth should be treated as urgent.

See your vet immediately if your goat has open-mouth breathing, marked effort to breathe, blue or gray gums, collapse, severe weakness, frothy saliva, or a temperature above 105°F. Merck lists difficulty breathing and body temperature above 105°F among signs that need urgent veterinary attention.

Also call promptly if abnormal vital signs come with bloat, inability to stand, repeated straining, severe dehydration, or a kid that is weak and not nursing. In goats, serious illness can progress quickly, so trends matter as much as the exact number.

Write down the exact temperature, pulse, and respiration rate, plus the date and time. Also note your goat’s age, whether they are pregnant or lactating, recent weather, transport, exercise, appetite, manure, urination, rumen movement, cough, nasal discharge, and any medications or supplements already given.

This record helps your vet decide whether the change is more likely related to stress, heat, pain, infection, dehydration, digestive disease, or another problem. If you have multiple goats, comparing the sick goat’s readings with calm herd mates can also be useful.

If your goat has abnormal vital signs, the right next step depends on how sick they seem and what other signs are present. A conservative visit may include a farm call or basic exam, temperature confirmation, hydration check, and a treatment plan based on history and physical findings. A realistic US cost range is about $100-250 for a basic exam or farm call, though travel fees vary by region.

A standard workup may add fecal testing, bloodwork, or targeted treatment for likely causes such as pneumonia, parasites, digestive upset, or dehydration. This often falls around $250-600. An advanced workup for severe or unclear cases may include ultrasound, radiographs, repeated bloodwork, hospitalization, oxygen support, or intensive monitoring, with a common cost range of $600-1,500+ depending on location and how much supportive care is needed. Your vet can help you choose the option that best fits your goat’s condition and your goals.