Companion goat with pink goatee thrives after meticulous surgery at WSU

Taxi isn't just any goat. She sports a pink-dyed beard, walks on leash, jumps on her hind legs on command and gives endless high-fives.

The 7-year-old La Mancha goat is the star of Michelle Davison's hobby farm in Kennewick.

"Taxi just really has a lot of personality and a lot of sparkle; she's really affectionate and sweet, and thinks she is a tiny person," Davison said.

So, when a rare collision tumor consisting of two types of cancer was found growing next to Taxi's trachea and two carotid arteries last fall, Davison took her veterinarian's advice and pursued lifesaving surgery at Washington State University's Veterinary Teaching Hospital.

After the 2.5-inch-long malignant mass was drained three times only to return and grow in size, Davison was told surgery was likely the best option and referred to specialists at WSU, largely because of the risks posed by the mass' location near major blood vessels.

"It definitely was getting to the point of a life-or-death situation," Davison said. "We either needed to be able to close it or remove it in some way because her quality of life was declining fast."

Dr. Alyssa Marre, one of the primary veterinarians behind WSU's large animal mobile service, performed testing to determine the scope of the tumor and if it had spread.

"Since the mass was so closely associated with the esophagus and had been infected and inflamed for so long, we performed an esophagram to rule out any esophageal issues," Marre said. "We also took radiographs because we were suspicious of metastasis. We were pretty sure this was cancerous at that point, and we wanted to make sure it hadn't spread to the lungs."

After finding no signs the cancer had spread or internal damage to the esophagus, Marre partnered with WSU's equine surgery team to move forward with surgery.

Led by equine veterinary surgeon Dr. Nick Hall, the team worked to remove the mass, which was pressed against Taxi's esophagus, carotid arteries and the cranial vena cava.

"This was a high-risk surgery because of how closely the mass was associated with major blood vessels," Hall said. "Every movement had to be deliberate. We carefully dissected around the carotid arteries and other critical structures to remove the tumor without causing life-threatening complications."

Fourth-year veterinary student Emma Atkinson assisted in Taxi's surgery and oversaw her care during the hospital's overnight shift. She said the surgery team's dedication was just as inspiring as watching Taxi leave the hospital.

"It was incredibly rewarding to see Taxi go home. She went through a life-risking, invasive surgery to remove her mass, so seeing her walk out the door with the same funny little attitude she walked in with was heart-warming for all involved," Atkinson said. "Taxi was such a light in the hospital and is a patient I will remember forever - it is not every day that you meet a goat, with no ears and a pink goatee, that is trained to shake."

For Davison, seeing Taxi return home healthy after the complex procedure was nothing short of extraordinary.

"I'm so grateful to the talented and compassionate team of veterinarians, students, and techs at WSU," Davison said, "They worked a miracle on Taxi, and gave her the gift of more time - you can be sure we will fill it with all kinds of fun."

Taxi is given a treat by Alyssa Marre, second from right, one of the primary veterinarians behind WSU's large animal mobile service, as she gets ready to go home following a checkup (photo by Ted S. Warren, College of Veterinary Medicine). Taxi is taken home on Friday, Feb. 6, 2026 by owner Michelle Davison, right, following a checkup after Taxi's recent surgery (photo by Ted S. Warren, College of Veterinary Medicine). At left, Taxi is given a treat by Alyssa Marre, one of the primary veterinarians behind WSU's large animal mobile service, as she gets ready to go home following a checkup. At right, owner Michelle Davison takes Taxi home following a successful checkup (photos by Ted S. Warren, College of Veterinary Medicine).