The beloved angora goat Mekker from the Alkmaar local farm broke her leg while playing with the large goats. In an attempt to save the animal that was actually written off, she was put in plaster. But an expensive operation could not be avoided. To pay the medical costs, volunteers have started a collection. “We are taking care of our child all day long,” says Anja Telleman.
Goat Mekker is barely four years old, but has already had to deal with a lot in her short life. Her mother disowned her after she accidentally bit off her own child’s ear while licking it clean.
A teacher from the former Clusius College (nowadays Vonk) took her in temporarily and raised her on a bottle. She couldn’t stay there, so fortunately a new place was found for her on the Alkmaar neighborhood farm on Vondelstraat.
Black sheep
She has now lived there for almost four years. Yet she doesn’t quite fit in with the rest of the colorful group, Anja explains. “She grew up with dogs and often behaves accordingly. She often follows us and quietly walks into the catering industry. She also has her own corner where she likes to lie. Mekker is a bit of the black sheep of the farm , but that’s why everyone loves her so much.”
“A dog with a broken leg is also put in a cast, isn’t it?”
That’s why little Mekker usually stands among the sheep, which she most resembles with her white curls. Nevertheless, she also likes to play with the other (much larger) goats. On January 3, things went horribly wrong. Mekker is standing in a pen with two large goats weighing about 60 kilos and breaks her front leg while romping.
To euthanize?
“She came limping along and then I knew it was broken,” Anja explains. “The vet examined her and it hurt a lot. He didn’t give her much of a chance. He actually wanted to put her to sleep. But I immediately said: we’re not going to do that. She’s still so young. A dog with a broken leg is also put in plaster?”
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And so it happened: Mekker was put in the back of the car and taken to the animal clinic in Bergen. There her leg was put in a cast. But the recovery went less well than hoped. “The fracture grew crooked because there was a bone splinter in it, according to photos from the vet.”
Hopeful
An expensive operation is required to remove the bone splinter. “A specialist from another clinic came especially for this. We now have to give her injections and medication. We also keep a close eye on her temperature. Her chance of survival is now estimated at about sixty percent,” says Anja. During the operation, a plate is placed in the bone. “The body shouldn’t reject that. But the wound looks good and has no infections. So we are hopeful.”
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Mekker turns out to be tough. “She is happily foraging and also wants to eat. That’s why she gets extra pain relief, because she now stands up. When she needs to lie down, she crawls back into her corner.”
Need rest
Saving Mekker has significantly increased the costs of the local farm. For the operation and aftercare, these are estimated at around 3,000 euros. Coincidentally, the neighborhood farm received a large donation of 250 euros shortly after the accident. It inspired Anja to start a collection via Gofundme starting for the beloved goat.
Many people appear to have a warm heart for the goat. “It’s great how many responses have already been received. There are also people who would like to visit her sick, but for now we advise against that: she really needs some rest.”