Despite Troubled Medical History, Navy Mascot, A Goat, To Make Debut At Army Game
By Stephanie Stahl
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Philadelphia will host the big Army Navy Game Saturday at Lincoln Financial Field, you can watch it on CBS3.
The Naval Academy will be officially welcoming their new replacement mascot goats.
But one has had a troubled medical history.
Bill 36 and his twin brother are ready for their debut at the 116th Army-Navy football game.
But during his months of training in Maryland, Bill 36 made two emergency visits to the New Bolton Veterinary hospital in Chester County.
"He was full of personality," said Holly Stewart, a veterinarian.
In September, Holly performed surgery on Bill to remove stones that developed in his bladder, caused by eating too much grain.
"Obstructo Urolithiasis is the technical term," Holly said. "It's actually very common in goats."
He's the 36th goat to be a mascot for the Navy, hence the name Bill 36.
It's a tradition that spans over 100 years. It is now called Team Bill.
The team at New Bolton knows all about goats and treats all kinds.
Holly Roessner treated Bill 36 on his second visit in November.
"He was actively vomiting," Holly Roessner said.
After an exam like this, that included a gastric tube, the vets determined Bill had probably eaten azaleas, which are toxic to goats.
"He had severe electrolyte abnormalities which was a concern," said Holly Roessner.
The treatment consisted of activated charcoal, which absorbs the toxins. It worked and the billy goat, with the belly ache, recovered quickly.
His medical maladies, a reflection of his goat-ly personality.
"They're always willingly to explore and they get themselves into trouble," Holly Stewart said.
The Navy goats are treated like celebrities and clocked in secrecy to protect them from Army pranks.
The Navy never reveals their exact location but they're in our area and will be hidden until the game Saturday.