Easter Bunny Upstaged by Easter Goats at Purdue University Veterinary Hospital

Friday, April 14, 2023

Jelly Bean and Peep pictured in Easter baskets alongside packages of their namesake treats

Two adorable newborn goats commanded the attention normally reserved for the traditional Easter Bunny last weekend when they were delivered safely at the Purdue University Farm Animal Hospital on the eve of Easter Sunday. They are named, appropriately, Jelly Bean and Peep, and have something of a famous mom (doe), named Selena Goatmez. The happy family belongs to Dr. Amanda Falcone, a small animal veterinarian and Purdue alumna who earned her undergraduate degree in animal sciences before enrolling in the Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine and returning to Purdue during the fourth year of the program in 2015 to complete her clinical rotations.

While the case of Jelly Bean and Peep is one of “all’s well that ends well,” this story got off to a rocky start, when Selena was brought to the Farm Animal Hospital for pregnancy toxemia shortly before she went into labor. “This is a common problem in sheep and goats, especially since they usually have more than one fetus,” commented Dr. Sandra Taylor, associate professor of large animal internal medicine. “All their nutrients go to the kids during their final growth phase and the doe develops low blood sugar and ketosis.” Dr. Taylor was on the care team with Dr. Heather Bornheim, farm animal medicine and surgery clinician, who served as the main senior clinician on the case.

Selena gave birth naturally to Jelly Bean and Peep, but a few hours after kidding (giving birth), her abdomen became distended and an ultrasound exam showed fluid in her abdomen, outside of the uterus. Exploratory surgery revealed that there was a hole in her uterus and part of the placenta had slipped through the hole and was floating in the abdominal fluid. After the surgeon removed the placenta and sewed up the hole, Selena was put on antibiotics and recovered. Meanwhile, Jelly Bean and Peep settled comfortably into their Easter baskets, seeming to enjoy stealing some of the Easter bunny’s limelight. Selena and her Easter babies went home Tuesday, April 11. The Farm Animal Hospital is part of the new David and Bonnie Brunner Purdue Veterinary Medical Hospital Complex.