Abstract This case study describes the management of the convalescent environment of a young goat undergoing physiotherapy after a fracture of the right metacarpal bone of the right thoracic limb, with a focus on environmental and social factors influencing behavioural stability during recovery. Before the injury, the goat was maintained in a stable multispecies group consisting of goats, donkeys, and cows, and, following surgery, it was managed in a separation pen designed to restrict movement while allowing controlled visual, auditory, and limited tactile contact with conspecifics. The goat underwent surgical stabilisation of the fracture and then received magnetotherapy conducted according to an established protocol. Despite limited access to the herd, the goat showed sustained social interest. During the initial period of physiotherapy, behavioural responses were observed that may indicate mild stress, which gradually diminished in subsequent sessions, possibly indicating habituation. The presence of a familiar physiotherapist and a predictable, repetitive treatment routine constituted stable elements of the convalescent environment and were associated with affiliative behaviour and decreased locomotor activity. Despite the treatment administered and welfare-oriented environmental management, the goat was euthanised during the recovery period following the development of complications. However, this case provides important observations on the potential role of social contact and human-animal interaction in maintaining behavioural stability during physiotherapy in social species. Information © The Authors 2026
Janicka et al. (Tue,) studied this question.