HELPFUL TIPS
This is a complete collection of the Goat Health information in this site.
IF YOU HAVE INFORMATION YOU WOULD LIKE TO SHARE WITH OUR VIEWERS PLEASE FORWARD IT TO ME.
On this page you will find quick little tips to help make your goat operation run a little easier. Most of the following suggestions I use on my farm. Some of the information has been passed along from other goat producers to help those they can. As always I include the following disclaimer. The following information is to be used as a guide at your own risk. The owner of this site nor its host make any claim to the medicinal accuracy of the following.
Please visit the Goat Health page for more information.
GENERAL HEALTH/VITAL SIGNS
It is important to know the status of your goat if you need to contact a vet with assistance in diagnosing an illness.
Temperature 101.5 – 104 F
Respirations Adults 12-20
per minute
Kid 20 - 40
per minute
Pulse 70 – 80 beats
per minute
Rumination 1 – 1.5 per
(Gut sound) minute
Estrus Cycle 18-23 days
Gestation 146 – 156 days
FETAL DEVELOPMENT
Heart Beat Apparent 20 days
Limb Buds forming 28-35 days
Eyes Defined 42- 49 days
Teeth Erupt 98-105 days
Hair Covering 119- 126 days
CONVERSION CHART
1ml = 15 drops = 1cc
1 tsp = 5 grams = 5 cc’s
Tbsp = ½ oz = 15 cc’s
2 Tbsp = 1 oz = 30 cc’s
1 pint = 16 oz = 480 cc’s
2 pints = 1 quart = 960 cc’s
1 quart = .946 liters = 960 cc’s
4 quarts = 1 gallon = 3.785 cc’s
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EYES -- This was given to me by the Chambers
Mid summer and winter are the most prominent seasons for eye problems. The summer eye problems are caused by flies. This can spread quickly in the heard as the flies move from one goat to another. Winter months, chaff from hay gets in the eyes. Treatment is usually success using penicillin, LA200, or scour halt. Each of these contains a different active ingredient. It may take some experimenting to see which bacteria are in your herd.
Adult goats I give 10cc penicillin (long acting version) and administer the Pfizer Puffer to the eye daily. If after three days there is not sign of improvement I will switch remedies.
LA200 can be dropped directly into the eye. It will take a daily treatment of LA200. It is not recommended to inject LA200 in pregnant does.
Scour halt can be dropped into the eye. Scour halt seems to take longer to work.
A purple ring will be noticed around the eye. If this is present it is a sign the eye is healing. It may take 2 weeks for eyes to completely heal.
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Most goat medications are “off label”. “Off label” means it is labeled for a particular species other than a goat. Below are some of the medications we use at the Little Lesia Ranch. As always I present this disclaimer. I am not a veterinarian. Use the information included at your own risk and only after consulting with a licensed veterinarian.
KEY CODE
OTC---over the counter
RX----obtained by a veterinarian only
IM--intramuscularly
SQ-subcutaneously (under the skin)
* even if not specified most of our medications are kept in the refrigerator, unless noted not to be kept cold
Tylan 200-OTC–(tylosin)-respiratory problems- 1cc/25# body weight for five days—IM
Used at Little Lesia Ranch (SQ)
LA-200-OTC-(oxytetracycline) broad spectrum antibiotic- 1cc/25 #body weights every third day for no more than three doses. Thick liquid and is painful. Not for use on pregnant does or kids under 12 months; Interferes with bone and teeth formation; can cause abortions. Can be used against pink eye, foot rot and foot scald.
Used at Little Lesia Ranch as an eye drop for pink eye.
Bio-Mycin – OTC-non-stinging version of oxytetracycline.
Used at Little Lesia Ranch (SQ) to treat foot problems on bucks and non pregnant does.
Benzathine Penicillin-(long acting Penicillin) –OTC –antibiotic- store in refrigerator-5cc/100 body weight. It has been over-used for years; much resistance has been built up against its effectiveness. Used at the Little Lesia Ranch (SQ) in high does with Thiamine to treat listeria. Also used after difficult births and injuries for five days.
Banamine (Flu Meglumine) RX-anti-inflammatory-1cc/100# body weight-good for bringing down fever, stopping severe diarrhea in young kids, relieving pain and swelling. Limit usage, once every 36 hours; can cause organ damage if over used. Follow dosage rate strictly.
Used at Little Lesia Ranch (SQ) for fever, pain and swelling.
Thiamine (Vitamin B1) RX- 1cc/up to three times a day. Used with large doses of antibiotics to treat listeria, disease which require the strict supervision of a veterinarian.
Used at the Little Lesia Ranch (SQ) under a veterinarian’s supervision.
CD/T(Clostridium Prefringens Type C&D – Tetanus Toxoid)- OTC- provide long term protection against overeating disease and tetanus - 2cc per animal. It is one of the few medications not given by body weight - same dosage for babies and adult animals. Should be given to newborn kids at 2 weeks old and again at 4 weeks old; once annually after that and annually for adults. It is common for a knot to form at injection site, this is the body’s reaction to the vaccination and it eventually goes away. CD/T must be refrigerated.
Used at Little Lesia Ranch as prescribed (SQ) at 2 weeks, 4 weeks and then a 30 day booster on new kids and annually on adults.
Pepto- Bismol- OTC- control diarrhea in kids under one month old.
Used at the Little Lesia Ranch at the rate of 2cc every four to six hours for newborns; and 5cc every four to six hours for kids close to a month old; followed with an oral ruminant gel to repopulate the gut with good bacteria for normal function.
Spectrum Scour Halt- OTC- labeled for pigs- used to control diarrhea in adults and kids approaching one month old. Follow label directions.
Used at Little Lesia Ranch to treat scours followed with oral ruminant gel.
Imodium AD- OTC- bloat. Do not use to treat diarrhea. It stops the actions of the gut and can cause death.
Used at Little Lesia Ranch for Floppy Kid Syndrome, bloat, and plant poisoning.
Oral Ruminant Gel- OTC- should always be used after completion of antibiotic treatment and treatment for scours. It repopulates the gut with good bacteria needed for normal gut function.
Used at the Little Lesia Ranch in the form of Probios powder and gel. Also used after heavy doses of Vitamin B.
Tetanus Antitoxin – OTC - short term protection against tetanus. Packaged in small vials.
Used at Little Lesia Ranch (SQ) after disbudding and castrations at the rate of a half a vial per animal.
Milk of Magnesia – OTC – 15cc/ 60 # body weight - useful for constipation and toxicity reactions.
Used at Little Lesia Ranch when treating Floppy Kid Syndrome.
Fleet’s Enemas- OTC- useful for constipation and toxicity reactions.
Nuflor (Florfenicol) - RX- antibiotic – respiratory problems (pneumonia)
Used at Little Lesia Ranch (SQ) under veterinarian supervision for treating pneumonia. We also administer if we are hauling animals long distance and a follow up dosage when we return.
Baytril (Enrofloxacin 2.27%) – RX – 1cc/20# body weight. Broad spectrum antibiotic. Used at Little Lesia Ranch (SQ) under the direct supervision of a veterinarian for pneumonia symptoms and clearing lungs on newborns.
Vitamin B12- RX - 1cc/100# body weight. Used for anemia from worms or stressed.
Red Cell- OTC- generally thought of as a “horse” medicine. - 3cc daily for one week by mouth for a full size goat.
Used at Little Lesia Ranch to treat anemia along with Vitamin B.
To-Day (cephapirin sodium) -OTC– mastitis treatment. Milk out the bad milk, pus, and blood. Insert one tube of To-Day into infected udder for a minimum of two days.
Used at Little Lesia Ranch as directed.
Electrolytes-OTC- many brands available. Used to re-hydrate sick animals. Can be mixed in bottles for babies, drinking water containers and drenched.
Used at Little Lesia Ranch in the form of home made peda lite.
Oxytocin – RX – 1.5cc/100# body weight. Used when a doe kids and does not pass afterbirth. Must be used before the cervix closes, estimated time five hours.
Molasses/Karo Syrup- OTC 50 – 60 cc twice daily orally.
Used at Little Lesia Ranch for ketosis in does. Normally we use home made recipe Magic.
Bo-Se –RX – injectable medication for selenium deficiency. Selenium deficiency varies at different levels across the state. Contact your local veterinarian about the levels in your area.
Epinephrine- RX- used to counter act shock in animals. 1cc/100# body weight. Until recently it could be obtained over the counter.
Used at Little Lesia Ranch when giving antibiotics. We keep a syringe drawn up while we are vaccinating.
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Tattoo Equipment
Recommended size for Boer goats is 3/8 inch.
Tattoo pliers (tongs)
Letters (A-Z) it is a good idea to have doubles of some letters
Numbers (0-9) it is a good idea to have doubles of all numbers
Tattoo Ink or paste. Green is the most commonly used. Some use white on dark ears.
Paper (use the paper to “test” the tattoo to insure the numbers and letters are lined correctly.
To insure a lasting tattoo here are some tips to follow. Secure the goat in either a chute or a disbudding box. Clean the ear with alcohol and allow it to dry. Apply ink in area for tattoo. Be careful to avoid the “veins” that run the length of the ear and any areas covered with hair. Align the tattoo pliers on top of the ink and apply firm pressure, making sure the needles penetrate the ear. Carefully remove the pliers. Immediately begin to rub the ink pushing it into the holes. Either use your finger, a tooth brush or the eraser on a pencil. Apply baking soda and rub in until any bleeding stops and the tattoo holes are filled. Applying the baking soda will allow the ink to set quicker.
I use a .300 and tattoo the goats at a young age. The tattoo will “grow” some as the baby grows. The tongs will hold up to five digits.
The rules on tattooing are; farm name in the RIGHT ear and the year letter in the LEFT ear. The letter for 2006 is the letter “V”. The number with it can be any number you choose.
Hint----Right ear- rightful owner- (farm name)
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GOAT RECIPES
Home Made Pedalite --I received this recipe from my vet.
1 Tbs. table salt
1 Tbs. baking soda
1 Tbs. Morton’s light salt
4 oz white Karo syrup
Used for dehydration. Mix with one gallon water. Mixture will keep 2 weeks in refrigerator. This can be used when kids need to be taken off milk; especially useful for Floppy Kid Syndrome. Can be substituted in place of milk until scours have stopped.
Magic--- I received this recipe from Mrs. Dottie Crow from
Crown C Ranch
1 part Molasses
1 part Corn oil
2 parts Karo syrup (light)
Store mixture in dark, cool place. Numerous uses. Goats off feed, dehydration,
pregnancy toxemia, stress, kidding difficulties, weak kids. Takes longer to
metabolize. Good to use to get a doe through the night.
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Revive
1 bottle 50% Dextrose
20 cc B complex
5 cc B 12
2 cc 500mg/ml Thiamin
This will make a little more than 500 cc of Revive. 50% Dextrose is very concentrated sugar and is metabolized instantly. Store in cool dark place.
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Revive for Pregnant Does
500 ML bottle of 50% Dextrose
500 ML bottle amino acid solution (if concentrate use only 50cc)
200 ML Calcium Gluconate
20 ML B complex
2 Grams Ascorbic Acid (vitamin C)
5 ML B12 (3,000mcg/ml)
5 ML 500mg/ml Thiamin
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FLOPPY KID SYNDROME --I received this treatment from my vet.
Tube feeder
Pedalite
Revive
Tums
Penicillin, Amoxicillin
Usually attacks new born kids by 3 to 4 days old. The kid will have an unsteady gait and be weak. Head will bob from side to side as baby is unable to control head. Inability to stand, raise head. Severe scours. Body temperature drops quickly, use heat lamp or heating pad. Keep baby upright, prop up with towels, etc. This is a very cruel disease and death is usually eminent. Very rarely are kids saved.
Remove from doe and restrict milk. Use Pedalite until “sloshie” gut sound is gone and kid has been up for 24 hours. Scours may develop. Allow scours to continue for 24 hours. This is removing the bacteria from the stomach. Do not give milk until signs of scours are gone. Dissolve Tums antacid drench twice daily. Drench 6cc glucose/2hours (Revive). Drench 1cc penicillin/amoxicillin daily. Add Probiotics to Pedalite mixture once baby shows signs of improvement for one feeding. It may be necessary to tube feed baby, as they are usually unable to suck.
Pregnancy Toxemia and Ketosis
These conditions can be present if a doe is not getting adequate feed and supplements during pregnancy. The most common is lack of proteins, calcium and sugars. This can be avoided by providing a high protein feed heavy with molasses during the last month of pregnancy. Providing molasses water to the doe after delivery will replenish her system with sugars for energy. Very common with multiple fetuses (triplets and quads), and older does.
Symptoms may include:
Stiff legged
Unable to stand/walk
Swollen knees and legs—spilling proteins in her urine--Ketosis
Walking “tender footed”
Lose of weight-Feel along top line, if feeling bony, first sign using own muscle/fat to maintain pregnancy
When a heavy bred doe limps, or walks like she is walking on egg shells, or legs are stiff if she is down, usually a calcium deficiency.
Toxemia- Serious: limping with swollen feet, stained tail, loosing weight on her top line, listless, loss of appetite, Drench Revive 3-4 times daily, 100cc Revive 100cc water. Use Magic for overnight, 8-10 ounces.
Ketosis -Risk of dying: sleepy and/or wont stand or eat. Use 200cc “Revive for Pregnant Does” with 200cc water every 2-3 hours. Reduce amount when doe is more alert and starts to eat. Offer sweet feed with an extra handful of corn and alfalfa hay. 8-10 ounces of Magic should hold a doe through the night.
Retained Placenta
Can not clean out a goat like you can a cow. After 12 hours if the placenta hasn’t expelled:
LA200 -- 5cc/100# every 3rd day
Banamine – 1cc/100# for pain
Oxytocin – 2cc hourly until afterbirth expelled. Lacix may be used if Oxytocin doesn’t work after 4 hours.
THANK YOU FOR VISITING LITTLE LESIA BOER GOATS