Save Clover: Life-Saving Surgery Needed, GoatFundMe

This is Clover, born on St. Patrick's Day 2025. She was just 3 pounds at birth! Up to 11 pounds as of 4/21/25. She is a Boer Kiko cross goat that was born with a cleft palate. She has been to UC Davis in CA for assessment and is set to go for a life-saving surgery on May 1st. This is her only option for a chance at life.

In most cases, she would have already been dead by now; however, a friend taught me how to tube feed her, and she is thriving. Clover is a rare case even for the surgeons at UCD simply because most people would not put the funds into a farm/non-companion type animal.

In Clover's short time with us, she has become a huge part of our lives and family. The first week and a half was touch and go. She slept on me or with me for 2 weeks and currently goes everywhere with me to keep her on her feeding schedule and medications. I believe she has touched many hearts already with her effervescent personality. At the salon (where I work) and ranch, she is well-traveled for her time here.

The void is in the roof of her mouth both in her hard and soft palate, but it is long and narrow. This gives her a better chance for a surgical fix than a wide void in her palate. We live in Nevada and will be traveling to California for her surgery. It is estimated to cost between $5,000-$5,600 for the day of surgery and additional costs on the back end totaling another $1,000-$1,500.

Her surgery is considered highly experimental still given the nature of her being a goat. Her surgeon has a 75-80% success rate on oral surgery in cats and dogs. In her preliminary assessment, they think she looks very healthy to go into surgery. They will need to do a CT scan to confirm that everything the vets see on the outside matches what is going on inside right before they take her to the operating room.

Clover has to go into surgery sooner than later because she is a ruminating animal. Ideally, UCD would like to wait longer but can't, as this would diminish her chances at a normal life allowing her rumen to develop. She is trying to do all of the normal true #GOAT mode things and go EVERYWHERE and eat everything currently. We can't risk anything getting in her lungs, which is why she has to wear a mask when roaming around.

I understand we have a big goal and a possible lengthy road ahead. ANYTHING HELPS! Even if you can't afford to contribute, please share with friends that may have the means to do so. A friend pointed out that if 1,000 people contributed to her surgery, it would be $7 each. I hadn't thought of it in those terms until that was brought to my attention. If necessary, I will cover whatever portion I have to in order to try saving Clover's life!