Not long a go, a friend had a sick goat. She called me up, and we made our best guesses on a diagnoses and treated him accordingly. By luck or miracle, he lived and is back to health today. It seemed to her that I had an arsenal of goat health supplies in my garage, so she asked me for a list of things to have on hand in case of a goat emergency. One thing I know for certain, is when a goat starts looking sick, it is usually an emergency. They go down quickly and often if treatment isn't started immediately, its too late. You don't always have time to run to the store, and it is never a good idea to go to bed and 'wait and see' until morning if they get better. What you will find is usually a dead goat.
My disclaimer for this post is, I am NOT a vet. I am just a person who has raised goats (and sheep) for a few years and learned from my experience, and most importantly my mistakes. This is not intended to tell you how to treat every illness you may encounter. This is just a list of things that are 'good to have'. It is not an all inclusive list, because you or others may find things useful that are not on this list. The reasons for having most items are self explanatory, but for others would take a lengthy explanation. Chances are, if you have goats very long you will end up needing most of the things on this list, plus a few more. Goat keeping, like anything else, is an art. Many have their own philosophies regarding medications, vaccines and natural herbs, etc. I recommend researching and then figuring out what works best for you and your goats. You don't have to start out with everything on this list, but find that you add to your supplies as you need them. Basic supplies: Goat stanchion or milking stand (helps hold them while trimming hooves, giving vaccinations, etc.) If you don't have or need one, a second person and a lead rope will do. Hoof trimmer styptic powder Digital thermometer Drench gun Goat minerals (loose) and salt Baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) TUMS Pepto bismol Probiotics Vetericyn wound spray Molasses Apple cider vinegar Vaccines and medications (some may be at local farm store or ordered online, some require vet prescription) CD&T Vaccine (annual) C&D antitoxin B Complex injectable Copasure bolus - copper oxide wire particles. 2 gm for 25 pounds, 4 gm for 100 pounds Selenium + Vitamin E - Gel or BO-SE inj (vet prescription) Agricillin - (vet prescription after 2017) Coccidia treatment and prevention Options - Toltrazuril (Baycox) from Horse prerace.com. Do not use on meat goats Di-Methox (Sulfadimethoxine) or Corid Dewormer - this is a very important and lengthy topic that will not be discussed in this post. If you are new to goats, I recommend researching barber pole worm (Haemonchus contortus) ASAP and learn as much as you can about it. It is the most common killer of sheep and goats. Dewormers include Ivomec, Cydectin Levamazone (prohibit) and Valbazen. (do not give to pregnant does). I do not recommend using safeguard as most worms are resistant due to its over usage. Banamine for fever and pain 3 cc and 10 cc syringes and needles Pregnant does: Calcium gluconate or calcium drench Propylene glycol food grade or molasses Lubricating jelly Rubber gloves betadine Old towels It sounds like a lot, and I'm sure I have forgotten some and there are things I don't know I need yet. But, its a pretty good start, and I hope you find it helpful.
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AuthorMy name is Christy Franklin. Archives
February 2021
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