Rare Angora Goat Undergoes Successful Surgery at WSU

The 5-year-old doe rejoins her herd after minimally invasive procedure to remove cystic ovaries.

Apr. 7, 2026 at 11:19pm

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A grid of stylized Angora goat portraits rendered in a bold, high-contrast silkscreen pop art style, capturing the distinctive features and texture of the rare livestock breed.The rare colored Angora goats of Red Falcon Ranch are celebrated in a vibrant pop art tribute to their unique place in the agricultural landscape.Pullman Today

A rare colored Angora goat named Enya underwent a specialized reproductive surgery at Washington State University's Veterinary Teaching Hospital to remove cystic ovaries that were causing behavioral issues. After the successful laparoscopic procedure, Enya recovered quickly and was able to reintegrate back into her herd on the family's Red Falcon Ranch in Idaho.

Why it matters

Angora goats, especially the rare colored variety raised by the Abraham family, are a niche livestock breed prized for their fine mohair. The advanced reproductive care provided by WSU's veterinary experts allowed Enya to return to her herd and continue contributing to the family's specialty fiber business.

The details

Enya, a 5-year-old Angora doe, began exhibiting unusual breeding behaviors and aggression towards her herd, prompting her veterinarians in Bonners Ferry, Idaho to recommend taking her to WSU's Veterinary Teaching Hospital for specialized reproductive testing. An ultrasound confirmed Enya had multiple cysts on both of her ovaries, requiring surgical removal. The theriogenology team at WSU performed a minimally invasive laparoscopic ovariectomy, allowing Enya to recover quickly and return to her herd within days.

  • In the fall, Enya began showing signs of heat and aggression towards her herd.
  • Enya was taken to WSU's Veterinary Teaching Hospital for specialized reproductive testing.
  • WSU veterinarians performed the laparoscopic ovariectomy procedure on Enya.
  • Within days of the surgery, Enya was cleared to return home and reintegrate with her herd.

The players

Angela Abraham

The owner of Red Falcon Ranch in Idaho's panhandle, where she and her daughters Rachel and Sarah raise a rare herd of colored Angora goats.

Enya

A 5-year-old colored Angora goat from the Abraham family's herd who underwent specialized reproductive surgery at WSU.

Dr. Michela Ciccarelli

A board-certified theriogenologist at WSU's Veterinary Teaching Hospital who performed the laparoscopic ovariectomy procedure on Enya.

Kate Bouchard

A fourth-year veterinary student at WSU who kept the Abraham family updated throughout Enya's treatment process.

Washington State University Veterinary Teaching Hospital

The regional center for advanced reproductive care for agricultural animals like Angora goats, where Enya underwent her successful surgery.

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What they’re saying

“We have so many great veterinarians in the Pacific Northwest, but not many clinics are able to offer advanced reproductive care for goats and other ruminants. Anything beyond the routine cases usually needs specialized technology and training, and that's what we provide here.”

— Dr. Michela Ciccarelli, Board-certified theriogenologist, WSU Veterinary Teaching Hospital

“We have probably one of the largest colored Angora goat herds. The colored Angoras usually exist on small, little family farms. It's a very niche breed.”

— Angela Abraham, Owner, Red Falcon Ranch

“I am so impressed with all the staff and how dedicated they are. Kate was amazing — and whoever has her as a veterinarian in the future will be lucky. WSU is such an underutilized resource, and people need to know it's out there.”

— Angela Abraham, Owner, Red Falcon Ranch

What’s next

The Abraham family plans to continue working closely with the WSU Veterinary Teaching Hospital to provide the best possible care for their rare colored Angora goat herd.

The takeaway

This story highlights how specialized veterinary facilities like WSU's can provide critical care for niche livestock breeds, helping family farmers like the Abrahams maintain the health and productivity of their herds and sustain their unique agricultural businesses.