The perspective of ‘it’s just a goat or a sheep’ is an antiquated view that has been eclipsed in recent years by a booming small ruminant industry in the United States. The demand for competent veterinary care for our small ruminant species is greater than ever highlighting the need for the practitioner to be well versed in common disease processes in sheep and goats. We will discuss these diseases chronologically as they pertain to different life stages and how to develop a plan of preparedness with producers.