Treatment of emergency conditions in sheep and goats

The emergency treatment of small ruminant patients can be overwhelming for clinicians with limited experience with these species. This article outlines the diseases most frequently encountered in veterinary practice. Each section discusses clinical signs, causes, and treatment and/or procedures associated with small ruminant emergencies. Emphasis is placed on the treatment of critical patients, but practitioners should also be prepared to manage these conditions on a flock or herd level because most small ruminant emergencies stem from poor management.