
Humphrey
Humphrey, a young myotonic fainting goat, was born in late May 2023 alongside his twin. He spent his days happily with his herd until a distressing incident on January 22, 2024. That afternoon, while the 8-month-old, weighing just under 14 pounds, awaited treats with his family, he was suddenly and viciously attacked by another goat. The assault was swift and brutal, leaving Humphrey motionless as his owner rushed to his aid. Despite the quick response, Humphrey lay silent and still, prompting immediate medical attention.
Initially, he could stand with support. The farm veterinarian assessed him within two hours, suggesting a possible knee or femur fracture, and advised monitoring his response to treatment. Humphrey showed remarkable resilience. The decision was difficult; they didn't want to surrender to his injuries, nor did they wish to extend his suffering. There was hope that the injuries might be due to temporary swelling from spinal trauma, which could mean potential improvement.
He managed to move around by pulling and crawling with his front legs. Every few hours, they would reposition him, massage his legs, conduct a range of motion exercise, and apply infrared light therapy to his spine twice daily. About five days after the incident, the husband created a wheelchair/cart to help him begin to bear weight on his front legs, providing both support and stability.
Clearly, Humphrey required specialized care that was beyond their capability and not available locally. During his therapy sessions, they would express their pride and love for him, hoping for wisdom and answers. Their search led them to Bella View Farm Animal Sanctuary. The sanctuary's recent social media posts made them feel that BVFAS might be the solution to their prayers. After reaching out, we agreed to take Humphrey. On January 30 Humphrey and his family made the 3-hour drive to the Sanctuary.