accident with goat update: I think she is going into labor

[cmjust0]

Quote:
That's not the way it works with Penicillin, though.. The reason I suggested an 18ga needle with PenG is because it's a suspension....the actual medication is in little particles that float around in a carrier solution. If you draw it up with a 22ga needle, you get more carrier and less particles of medication than you should, which means you may not be getting the full 300,000 IU (or whatever) of medication that's supposed to be in 1ml of PenG.

I strongly advise using an 18ga needle for drawing and injecting Pen G, folks. I know it looks like a stovepipe, but that's just the way it is.

 

[cmjust0]

Quote:
Try right around here:

I used to give injections up around the back and over the ribs, but it's just a PITA that way. Goats don't have a lot of SQ.. They just don't, and it sorta goes double for dairy breeds. Pretty much any goat, though -- no matter how tight the skin on their back is -- has to have a bit of looser skin just behind the front leg....they gotta be able to walk and stretch and carry on as a goat, afterall!

 

[animalgirl2010]

Thanks everyone for the kind words she does seem to be doing much better this morning she is now eating grain and hay much better than yesterday I also took her some warm water and she drank quite alot of that. not 100 percent back to normal obviously but we are getting there

Thanks for the picture I know it was awfully hard to get loose skin on her back I will try giving her shot there today.

 

[cmjust0]

Glad to hear that she seems to be improving.

BTW....that picture is basically depicting a shot in what I understand to be called the 'axillary space.' What I usually do with an ornery goat or one that's gotten wise to the fact that she's about to get stuck is start out by straddling across their neck, facing toward their hind end, and squeeze their neck between my legs.. Then, with the syringe in your dominant hand, grab some hair on the axillary space with your other hand and pull straight out, popping the needle quickly straight down into the tented skin.. When the needle's in, let go of the hair, allowing the skin to snap back to it's normal place.. Then, just push the plunger steadily. If you do the pull-hair/jab/release-hair maneuver quickly enough, they don't even seem to know there's a needle in them and will stand a little better for the shot. Once the med's in, remove the needle quickly by pulling straight back up. The less the tip of the needle moves around once it's under the skin, the less aware the animal is that something's going on.

Do let us know how the SQ goes.. I think you'll find it much easier to give a SQ shot there versus up high on the back.. I've actually been known on many occasions to throw hay and let the 'victim' get preoccupied with its head buried up in the bunk, then walk up directly behind them, lean straight over their back and pet their side for just a second before doing the pull/jab/release.. Many times, I can give a shot without restraining them at all and they'll only just pause for a second while I'm pulling their hair....then they go back to eating, oblivious to the fact that they're getting a shot.

To be fair, though......I've also had to body check them into the feeder in instances when they do become aware of what's going on and try to back out while I'm about halfway through pushing the med.

Indeed, that's usually how I come to determine that they'll need to be straddled for the next round.

 

[animalgirl2010]

Well she got her penicillin in that spot tonight it was way easier for me but I dont think she enjoyed it too well she stood there for about a minute picking her leg up and putting it down like it was bothering her or something. She is still eating hay a little bit of grain and drinking the warm water when I take it to her several times a day oh and she got a special treat of raisins tonight which she ate very well and wanted more, so hopefully she will continue to getting more strength and less pain.

 

[cmjust0]

Quote:
I maybe don't get quite as close to the elbow as they are in the pic...just a tad higher, and maybe a little further back. I've really only ever had them pick their legs up if it's a stinger, like tetracycline. Even when they do act a little aggravated, it's just like you said...maybe for a minute, then they get over it.

Glad it went better for you, and I'm really glad she seems to be improving..

Keep us posted.

 

[animalgirl2010]

Well she got her second shot same area today and didnt put up a fuss or anything. I also got my order from jeffers today I gave her 3 cc of the vitamin b complex wasnt quite sure how much to give on that one I was kinda worried after I gave it to her I read the bottle and it said something about a reaction may occour from the thiamine, anyway I suppose that is with just about any medication and im just a worry wart, so I will just watch her. I also gave her probios I didnt know how much on that either so I gave her up to the first mark #5. She has eatin alot of hay today along with a little grain some oatmeal and raisins. She refused to drink hardly any water today untill I put it in a syringe and she would stick her tongue out and drink it that way. Anyway if I havent said it already thanks for all the help its really appreciated.

 

[jlapham]

I'm sorry to here about your goat, especially your first one. Here at the homestead, we have 6 of them and each one has a different personality. We have never had that happen here, I can say the one will be lonely. Happy to here you got here to the vet.

I do remember having one of mine kidding she had twins, one was up and moving around in a short period of time the other was not. I took him in the house filled up the sink with warm water placed him in the water up to his neck, then Inserted a tube into his throat down into his stomach lifted the tube just a we bit and got some grocerys (mothers milk) into him. and he was fine. Bottom Line you did good.

 

[cmjust0]

Quote:

Much less nerve racking to SQ Penicillin, isn't it!

I also got my order from jeffers today I gave her 3 cc of the vitamin b complex wasnt quite sure how much to give on that one I was kinda worried after I gave it to her I read the bottle and it said something about a reaction may occour from the thiamine, anyway I suppose that is with just about any medication and im just a worry wart, so I will just watch her.

I've never seen nor read about a goat having any kind of reaction to b-complex.. I suppose it's possible to OD one on thiamine, but I think you'd sorta have to be pushing it straight, and most likely either IM or IV to make that happen.. Otherwise, b-vitamins are water soluble.. Whatever she doesn't need or use, she'll just pee out.

What I'm getting at is...b-complex is pretty harmless stuff. It's one of the few meds that you can just sorta "fire at will" at a goat that's acting a little off.

I also gave her probios I didnt know how much on that either so I gave her up to the first mark #5.

I usually give 10g to adults, but I'm not sure if there's really a 'set' amount of Probios for goats..

She has eatin alot of hay today along with a little grain some oatmeal and raisins. She refused to drink hardly any water today untill I put it in a syringe and she would stick her tongue out and drink it that way.

Most goats don't use a lot of water anyway. If ever you want to check and see if a goat's getting dehydrated, pinch her upper eyelids between your thumb and forefinger and see if it stays tented after you release.. If it snaps back, they're fine. If it tents a bit and you're worried that they're not using enough water, try offering some warm water with a little 'flavor' like molasses, gatorade, a kool-aid packet, etc. Sometimes that will encourage them to drink.

Anyway if I havent said it already thanks for all the help its really appreciated.

How are her wounds looking? Nice and dry?​

 

[animalgirl2010]

Thanks Yes she was our first goat (well first pet goat anyway) The others have all been not so tame as she was when we first got her and she just took to us very well and became the most tame of any of them We currently have 5 counting her the others have been looking for her.

Yes the penicillin injection is much easier to give there alot more skin to get under. Im glad to hear about the b complex I was a little worried yesterday I know I should probably get some epinephrine to keep just in case but our usual vet wants us to bring them in anytime we need anything he is a good vet and prices are good for the cats and dogs but its not as easy to get a goat in there. Wonder if the human epi pen would work the same?
Ok I will give her more of the probios today she seemed to really like it so shouldnt be a problem getting it in her.
I took her some warm water with mollasses in it today and she drank about half of the container (it wasnt large). I also gave her some nutri drench I ordered.
Her wounds look really good I have been cleaning them everyday as directed and yesterday used the stuff I ordered which looked exactly like what the vet used btw.
This morning I let her out of her stall to walk around and she ate some of the other goats grain walked around for a bit and then went and layed down in the sun. Im watching her close to make sure she doesnt get hurt by the others but she is top dog so I dont think I have anything to worry about anyway.