PLEASE NOTE: This information cannot and will not replace the help and advice of a good, knowledgeable veterinarian. I'm listing this information for educational purposes only, as I feel all animal owners and breeders should educate themselves as much as possible. Sometimes veterinarians are not always available at the time, and we have to do our best with what we have.
Wood Haven Farm and Three Havens is not to be held accountable for the use of this information.
Wood Haven Farm and Three Havens is not to be held accountable for the use of this information.
Herbal/Natural
Activated Charcoal -- We have used this to help our horses with Nightshade poisoning ... they were at the point where they could hardly stand and were lethargic. One dose of Activated Charcoal, and we saw a difference within the hour. We also used it with a very serious and scary case of (possible Hemlock) poisoning in a young kid. She was throwing up and lethargic. I dosed her a large dose (probably 10 or 20 ccs). She threw up the first dose, so I dosed her again. She kept it down, so I gave her another dose in an hour, and then an hour or two after that, I gave her antacid. She made a full recovery.
It can also be used during tummy upsets. I had a wether with coccidia who had a "sloshy" rumen. After giving the Activated Charcoal, his rumen returned to normal and he was acting so much better. An absolute must-have. We are never without it.
GI Soother -- Sold by Fir Meadow farm. A dietary suppliment as well as a dewormer. This has helped me with a kid who had trouble regulating her temp, as the cayenne in it increases circulation. I gave it to her every 4 hours round the clock until she was through the woods. The thermometer showed it helped her maintain a steady temperature through those cold nights. I also give it regularly to my herd to help prevent barberpole worm, which is a significant issue in our area. I have noticed my herd maintains better inner eyelid color for longer when I supplement them with GI Soother.
Red Raspberry leaves -- Beneficial to give pregnant does. I give my Nigerian Dwarves about a tsp a day starting their last 6 weeks of pregnancy, and a big handful every day after delivery for a week or so. It can often aid in healthy pregnancies, and more effective deliveries and passing of the placenta. I have noticed stronger pushes and quicker kidding recovery from my does after I started them on raspberry. It also has reduced post-kidding discharge in my does.
Garlic -- This is a great thing to give any goat struggling with anything. It is a natural antibiotic, dewormer, and antifungal. It can also be made into a paste and applied to a doe's udder if she is battling mastitis (though I would also be hitting her with antibiotics - Mastitis is nothing to mess with).
Tea Tree Oil -- I add Tea Tree Oil to our milking solution to clear up mild staph cases. It has been recommended that you not use it on pregnant does, as the estrogen in Tea Tree oil may be harmful to developing bucklings.
Nu-Stock -- Nu-stock is an all natural paste that I have used to treat mites, urine scald, mud scald (horses and goats), hoof rot, old scars (horses and goats), and proud flesh (horses and goats). Each time I have used it, I have been impressed with the results. You put the paste on once every three days until you have the results you desire.
Raw Apple Cider Vinegar -- It can help prevent urinary calculi when added to a buck or wether's water. It has also been used as a treatment to UC if you catch it early enough (I personally use ammonium chloride to prevent and treat UC). It has been rumored to strengthen the body against Pneumonia, and wormload. It is supposed to be very good for pregnant and lactating does as well.
Sugar -- In case of a prolapsed uterus, after you rinse it off, sprinkle sugar over it before you try to push it back in. The sugar helps it shrink back into place. For a minor vaginal prolapse, cold sugar water can be sprayed directly onto the prolapse to help it shrink back into place.
It can also be used during tummy upsets. I had a wether with coccidia who had a "sloshy" rumen. After giving the Activated Charcoal, his rumen returned to normal and he was acting so much better. An absolute must-have. We are never without it.
GI Soother -- Sold by Fir Meadow farm. A dietary suppliment as well as a dewormer. This has helped me with a kid who had trouble regulating her temp, as the cayenne in it increases circulation. I gave it to her every 4 hours round the clock until she was through the woods. The thermometer showed it helped her maintain a steady temperature through those cold nights. I also give it regularly to my herd to help prevent barberpole worm, which is a significant issue in our area. I have noticed my herd maintains better inner eyelid color for longer when I supplement them with GI Soother.
Red Raspberry leaves -- Beneficial to give pregnant does. I give my Nigerian Dwarves about a tsp a day starting their last 6 weeks of pregnancy, and a big handful every day after delivery for a week or so. It can often aid in healthy pregnancies, and more effective deliveries and passing of the placenta. I have noticed stronger pushes and quicker kidding recovery from my does after I started them on raspberry. It also has reduced post-kidding discharge in my does.
Garlic -- This is a great thing to give any goat struggling with anything. It is a natural antibiotic, dewormer, and antifungal. It can also be made into a paste and applied to a doe's udder if she is battling mastitis (though I would also be hitting her with antibiotics - Mastitis is nothing to mess with).
Tea Tree Oil -- I add Tea Tree Oil to our milking solution to clear up mild staph cases. It has been recommended that you not use it on pregnant does, as the estrogen in Tea Tree oil may be harmful to developing bucklings.
Nu-Stock -- Nu-stock is an all natural paste that I have used to treat mites, urine scald, mud scald (horses and goats), hoof rot, old scars (horses and goats), and proud flesh (horses and goats). Each time I have used it, I have been impressed with the results. You put the paste on once every three days until you have the results you desire.
Raw Apple Cider Vinegar -- It can help prevent urinary calculi when added to a buck or wether's water. It has also been used as a treatment to UC if you catch it early enough (I personally use ammonium chloride to prevent and treat UC). It has been rumored to strengthen the body against Pneumonia, and wormload. It is supposed to be very good for pregnant and lactating does as well.
Sugar -- In case of a prolapsed uterus, after you rinse it off, sprinkle sugar over it before you try to push it back in. The sugar helps it shrink back into place. For a minor vaginal prolapse, cold sugar water can be sprayed directly onto the prolapse to help it shrink back into place.
Traditional
LA 500 -- Many breeders use this as a go-to antibiotic. It has lost some of its potency, but is still helpful in many cases. Good to squirt on hoof rot as well. Do not use within the first 30 days of pregnancy, or on young kids. Given SQ.
Ammonium Chloride -- A preventative and treatment for urinary calculi. I give all of my wethers a small preventative dose of ammonium chloride every 2 to 3 weeks. It can be used to treat cases of UC so long as the goat can still pass some urine. If the goat is completely blocked off and can't pee at all (not even drip), I do not recommend trying to treat, as you can end up just filling their bladder to the point of rupture. In these cases, an emergency vet must be contacted.
Banamine -- A vet-RX pain relief drug. I use banamine together with ammonium chloride when treating urinary calculi. It is also used in the treatment of Meningeal worm and many other injuries and ailments.
Penicillin -- Safer antibiotic for pregnant does. This antibiotic is good for does with infections after kidding. Given SQ, 1cc per 15 lbs, twice daily.
Blue-Kote -- Cleansing wound spray. Warning, it will dye your skin, and your goat, purple. I really love this stuff. I have used it for stubborn cases of udder staph and I will use it to spray scurs that have been bumped off, or hooves that I've accidentally cut the quick on.
Blood-stop -- Pour on liberally to stop or slow bleeding.
Antacid -- Always have on hand in case of bloat. I have found it quite helpful. I usually only dose once, then massage the doe until she belches and seems more comfortable. In acute bloat cases, while waiting for the vet I would give a huge dose and massage the doe until she begins to belch and pass gas. Elevate the doe's front end if you can.
Tetanus Antitoxin -- In case of puncture wounds. This offers short term, acute protection against Tetanus in case of a goat stepping on a nail or otherwise receiving a puncture wound. If your goat is already CD/T vaccinated, check with your vet before giving tetanus antitoxin, as it can carry more of a risk for adverse reactions than the CD/T vaccine.
Iodine -- This one's always good to have on hand. For wounds, you can mix it with water until you have a "light tea" look, then flush the wound thoroughly. It can be used as an umbilical dip for newborns.
Thiamine -- So far, the only effective treatment for goat Polio. This is something that should be kept on hand.
B12 -- if anything is wrong with your goat, this is the first thing you give it as you figure it out. Will aid in healing and help restore appitite. I have given it to a doe who was sad after I weaned her kids ... I didn't have the injection, but I crushed up a pill and gave it to her that way. I noticed a difference in her additude in a few short hours.
Banamine -- A vet-RX pain relief drug. I use banamine together with ammonium chloride when treating urinary calculi. It is also used in the treatment of Meningeal worm and many other injuries and ailments.
Penicillin -- Safer antibiotic for pregnant does. This antibiotic is good for does with infections after kidding. Given SQ, 1cc per 15 lbs, twice daily.
Blue-Kote -- Cleansing wound spray. Warning, it will dye your skin, and your goat, purple. I really love this stuff. I have used it for stubborn cases of udder staph and I will use it to spray scurs that have been bumped off, or hooves that I've accidentally cut the quick on.
Blood-stop -- Pour on liberally to stop or slow bleeding.
Antacid -- Always have on hand in case of bloat. I have found it quite helpful. I usually only dose once, then massage the doe until she belches and seems more comfortable. In acute bloat cases, while waiting for the vet I would give a huge dose and massage the doe until she begins to belch and pass gas. Elevate the doe's front end if you can.
Tetanus Antitoxin -- In case of puncture wounds. This offers short term, acute protection against Tetanus in case of a goat stepping on a nail or otherwise receiving a puncture wound. If your goat is already CD/T vaccinated, check with your vet before giving tetanus antitoxin, as it can carry more of a risk for adverse reactions than the CD/T vaccine.
Iodine -- This one's always good to have on hand. For wounds, you can mix it with water until you have a "light tea" look, then flush the wound thoroughly. It can be used as an umbilical dip for newborns.
Thiamine -- So far, the only effective treatment for goat Polio. This is something that should be kept on hand.
B12 -- if anything is wrong with your goat, this is the first thing you give it as you figure it out. Will aid in healing and help restore appitite. I have given it to a doe who was sad after I weaned her kids ... I didn't have the injection, but I crushed up a pill and gave it to her that way. I noticed a difference in her additude in a few short hours.
Stuff at home
DIY "Vetricyn" -- 1 quart distilled water, 1/2 teaspoon baking soda, 1/2 teaspoon sea salt, 1 teaspoon 7% clorine bleach. Thanks to "goathiker" on The Goat Spot for this recipe!
Baking soda -- Good for bloat and "floppy kid syndrome". Also good to put on urine spots while cleaning the barn, and to stop bleeding wounds. I would suggest not leaving out free-choice however as it will absorb the minerals and may clog up bucks and wethers.
Triple antibiotic ointment -- always good to have this on hand for those unexpected cuts.
Flour, or cobwebs -- To stop blood if you have nothing else on hand.
Weak baby mixture -- "Coffee, Whiskey, and Karo Syrup. I mix 2cc of each in a cup and give them about 1/2cc. It will give them a little pep and I will say it has saved many babies." ~ Lori of Sweet Goats.
Original blue Dawn Dish detergent: Known to be gentle with animals, I actually have used this to coat teats when I was teaching a doe not to self-suckle. It is part of my udder cleaning solution as well.
Vitamin C -- Human chewable tablets. I use them as a mastitis prevention, and they can also aid in fighting mastitis when you have to treat it. As a prevention I give pregnant does 1 tablet a day starting a week before they deliver, and continuing a month post-birth.
I also give the goats a tablet here and there during weather changes to help prevent pneumonia.
Baking soda -- Good for bloat and "floppy kid syndrome". Also good to put on urine spots while cleaning the barn, and to stop bleeding wounds. I would suggest not leaving out free-choice however as it will absorb the minerals and may clog up bucks and wethers.
Triple antibiotic ointment -- always good to have this on hand for those unexpected cuts.
Flour, or cobwebs -- To stop blood if you have nothing else on hand.
Weak baby mixture -- "Coffee, Whiskey, and Karo Syrup. I mix 2cc of each in a cup and give them about 1/2cc. It will give them a little pep and I will say it has saved many babies." ~ Lori of Sweet Goats.
Original blue Dawn Dish detergent: Known to be gentle with animals, I actually have used this to coat teats when I was teaching a doe not to self-suckle. It is part of my udder cleaning solution as well.
Vitamin C -- Human chewable tablets. I use them as a mastitis prevention, and they can also aid in fighting mastitis when you have to treat it. As a prevention I give pregnant does 1 tablet a day starting a week before they deliver, and continuing a month post-birth.
I also give the goats a tablet here and there during weather changes to help prevent pneumonia.