medicine chest essentials

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medicine chest essentials

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lassemista

Joined: 28 Sep 2006
Posts: 608
Location: suffolk

Posted: Mon Jan 08, 07 4:27 pm Post subject: medicine chest essentials
In anticipation of getting my goats, what would people suggest I should get together for first aid. Andrea

RichardW

Joined: 24 Aug 2006
Posts: 8443
Location: Llyn Peninsular North Wales

Posted: Mon Jan 08, 07 4:40 pm Post subject:

all the usual stuff like:-

anitibiotics, wormer/fluke dose, foot spray, wound spray, vetrumex, inoculations [we use heptavac p +] syringes various sizes & needles assorted, stomach tube, drench gun,

plus

bicarb
cooking oil
glucose powder
honey
ivy (if they are off feed try offering ivy(no berries), if they take it they are not that bad)

You wont need all these but try to see what you can get localy at short notice & then buy the other stuff.

Justme

lassemista

Joined: 28 Sep 2006
Posts: 608
Location: suffolk

Posted: Mon Jan 08, 07 4:55 pm Post subject:

Wow, that sounds scary. Then I pm you to find out what to do with them!!
Seriously, will a vet let me have antibiotics without a specific diagnosis?
What is vetrumex?
The breeder they are coming from said not to use heptavac p because it could cause pneumonia (the p bit as I understand it). Presumably you have not found this?
Syringes and needles

I suppose my goat friend can show me how to use them!
Stomach tube - is there not a risk that in novice hands it could go the wrong way!!
Terrifying how much there is to learn.
Thanks Andrea.

RichardW

Joined: 24 Aug 2006
Posts: 8443
Location: Llyn Peninsular North Wales

Posted: Mon Jan 08, 07 5:51 pm Post subject:

Wow, that sounds scary. Then I pm you to find out what to do with them!! Yes you can

Seriously, will a vet let me have antibiotics without a specific diagnosis? Prob not to start with unless you have a farm account/ he trust you

What is vetrumex? Its a rumen supliment to help get them back on their feet after antibiotics / illneses

The breeder they are coming from said not to use heptavac p because it could cause pneumonia (the p bit as I understand it). Presumably you have not found this? No not found this at all, all local goat keepers use it as do all local sheep people

Syringes and needles

I suppose my goat friend can show me how to use them! or the vet for the first few times. when they come make sure they show you how to do stuff

Stomach tube - is there not a risk that in novice hands it could go the wrong way!! yes again get some one to show you

Terrifying how much there is to learn. and some

Justme

Anna-marie

Joined: 18 Sep 2005
Posts: 980
Location: West Wales

Posted: Mon Jan 08, 07 11:38 pm Post subject:

Don't forget hoof shears for trimming hooves. Needs to be done every month or so.
Also, hoofvax comes in useful. (Vaccination by injection, to prevent/treat hoofrot.)
Hope this doesn't scare you even more

Get the breeder to show you how to trim their hooves, when you collect them.
Also, if sheep have been grazing the land recently (within a year, I believe), you may need to vaccinate against coccidiosis.
Good luck.
Anna-marie

lassemista

Joined: 28 Sep 2006
Posts: 608
Location: suffolk

Posted: Tue Jan 09, 07 9:21 am Post subject:

Very helpful both - many thanks.
I was looking at hoof shears yesterday on a website - there were about 5 different types

. They looked like garden secateurs, but I assume those would be no good.
Nothing has been on the land fortunately apart from the chickens - I'm hoping they will eat some of the worm eggs, tho since they will be wormed just before I have them, hopefully I won't have a problem with that for a while.
We are on almost pure sand, so I'm hoping footrot won't be a problem either

RichardW

Joined: 24 Aug 2006
Posts: 8443
Location: Llyn Peninsular North Wales

Posted: Tue Jan 09, 07 4:32 pm Post subject:

If you dont have foot rot DONT use a vaccine as its a live one (that is also very dangerous for the operator) that will then "seed" your flock / land with it.

Hoof triming will prob need to be done vbery often on sandy land. We aim for every 8-12 weeks but will also do one out of that as needed (tend to spot them whilst milking). The old type shears are best but dont fit small hands & need more strenght the newer ones with comfort handles are good for small hands / lower strenght but dont last as well.

Justme

Anna-marie

Joined: 18 Sep 2005
Posts: 980
Location: West Wales

Posted: Wed Jan 10, 07 1:04 pm Post subject:
Hi Lassemista, I don't know how useful it will be for you to buy hoof shears from the web. You are right, there are so many different types to choose from I went to a couple of local farm supply stores, and tried a few (not literally, of course ). I finally ended up buying the pair that felt most comfortable in my hands. Small handles with a slight curve Good luck. Anna-marie

lassemista

Joined: 28 Sep 2006
Posts: 608
Location: suffolk

Posted: Thu Jan 11, 07 9:28 am Post subject:
Useful tip AM. I hope Central Wool Growers do them, cos we don't seem to have anyone else round here. I suppose it's because we have mainly arable farming. I think breeder will do feet before they come, so I'll have some time to get to grips (unintentional pun) with that. Andrea.

dpack

Joined: 02 Jul 2005
Posts: 45525
Location: yes

Posted: Thu Jan 11, 07 4:16 pm Post subject:
not a goat specific hint but haemostat clamps are very multipurpose (and a lot cheaper in the fishing shop or tool stall than the vets supplies )

lassemista

Joined: 28 Sep 2006
Posts: 608
Location: suffolk

Posted: Thu Jan 11, 07 5:01 pm Post subject:
Duh, what are they? Andrea.

dpack

Joined: 02 Jul 2005
Posts: 45525
Location: yes

Posted: Thu Jan 11, 07 5:06 pm Post subject:
tongs with scissor handles and an adjustable lockable grip .ace for removing thorns/tics , pulling things from mouths etc

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