Aboutgoatlady Expertise Specializing in New Goat Owner understanding of goat physiology, goat anatomy, goat care and herd management. *I am not a veterinarian, any advice and information should be verified by your veterinarian before administering to your goats.
Experience 17 years experience of raising goats and herd management. Active hands on experience with goat herd and research with various Caprine University Research and Extension Centers nationwide. 15 years dedicated to helping other goat breeders/owners with goat anatomy, goat disease and goat health care issues via phone, published goat care articles and internet interaction.
Organizations 5 year active member of International Veterinary Information Service
Publications United Caprine News, Homesteaders Magazine, Columnist for Goat Magazine, Owner and Author of GoatPedia™
Education/Credentials Graduate Programs in Medicine, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Stanford University
Expert: goatlady Date: 5/14/2008 Subject: sick mama goat
Question We have a female goat (not sure of breed) who gave birth to a healthy baby 4/17/08. Baby is fine but mom has been standing off to herself with head and tail down. Tolerates the baby feeding for a few minutes at a time. No diarrhea. Seems to urinate o.k. She does have a clear snotty nose.
We went to our local feed/co-op store and were told to start her on an antibiotic. We gave her a little over 1/2 ml last night (it said 1 ml per 100 lbs.) She only weighs about 75 - 80 lbs.
Do you think we are doing the right thing by starting her on an antibiotic and if so, how often should we give it to her? Will it hurt the baby?
Thank You,
Angie
North-Alabama
Answer HI Angie,
Antibiotcis will not hurt the baby- ;)
Now, what is mom doing besides hanging head? What is her rectal temperature.? Sounds like possible pneumonia (clear snotty nose- hanging head- not eating as much- not wanting to feed baby)
Did you deworm mom after her kidding? You should-
Under dosing medications is far worse (in most cases) than over dosing.
What antibiotic did you get? Tylan200 is the Best antibiotic over the counter (without prescription) that you can get for upper respiratory. I would get some for her as well as some Ivomec PLUS injectable dewormer (if you do not already have it)
If she were my goat I would dose her at 2ccs of the Tylan200 the first time and then 1/5ccs after that twice a day for 5 days injected SUbQ for pneumonia- and I would deworm her as well- injected Ivomec PLUS at the rate of 1cc/40lbs (2ccs) again in 10 days and again in another 10 days..
I have a good article on deworming on my website and also one on pneumonia http://Goat-Link.com
Neither of these will hurt the baby.
Did she lose the afterbirth after she kidded? Any foul smelling vaginal discharge? if not you're good to go- If yes to these questions, then she may also be toxic from retaining the after birth.
But I would start with the antibiotic Tylan200 (NOT the same as LA200) Also may be called by it's generic name tylosin200 and deworm her with the Ivomec injectable.
