Need help with sick baby goat (pneumonia)

[ameracaunagirl]

I recently purchased a young goat. She is about 3 months old. When I got to the farm I bought her from, all the goats were healthy and the farm was very clean. They had a smaller goat about 2 months old, in the heard that wasn't getting enough food because the other stronger kids would push her out of the way. She offered her to me for free so I took her home. I couldn't allow her to be starved to death. So it turns out she has what seems like pneumonia. I have injectable penicillin but I don't want to use it unless I know it is safe for her. She seems underweight so that is another factor. She has greenish white mucus coming from her nose and a flemy sound in her lungs and she coughs every once in awhile. Can I use the penicillin on her? Thanks in advance for any advice.

 

[Stacykins]

I recently purchased a young goat. She is about 3 months old. When I got to the farm I bought her from, all the goats were healthy and the farm was very clean. They had a smaller goat about 2 months old, in the heard that wasn't getting enough food because the other stronger kids would push her out of the way. She offered her to me for free so I took her home. I couldn't allow her to be starved to death. So it turns out she has what seems like pneumonia. I have injectable penicillin but I don't want to use it unless I know it is safe for her. She seems underweight so that is another factor. She has greenish white mucus coming from her nose and a flemy sound in her lungs and she coughs every once in awhile. Can I use the penicillin on her? Thanks in advance for any advice.

Do you have any experience with goats? I am guessing not, from your question. You truly need to consult a veterinarian, now. Even just talking on the phone.

What is her temperature? What is her weight (this must be accurate)? Both these are critically important to know.

Stress can cause pneumonia, yes. So you are likely dealing with that. And injectable penicillin is often used to treat it. Goat doses are much higher than what is on the bottle due to their metabolism being higher than sheep or cattle. But you need guidance from a professional, a veterinarian.

 

[Chickerdoodle13]

I also agree that calling a veterinarian would be the best option in this case. It's good to start a relationship with one early on anyway, so now would be a good time to get to know someone in your area!

 

[geekyearthmomma]

It does sound like pneumonia is she in a well ventalated area now? That would be a big help. Also, make sure she's eating and drinking enough so her body can keep up the (*the not rhe) fight. (I've used gatorade and molasses to get fluids in especially if electrolytes and goatade aren't available). I agree on the weight so you know how much to dose for. Have you done an IM injection before?

 

[ameracaunagirl]

It does sound like pneumonia is she in a well ventalated area now? That would be a big help. Also, make sure she's eating and drinking enough so her body can keep up the (*the not rhe) fight. (I've used gatorade and molasses to get fluids in especially if electrolytes and goatade aren't available). I agree on the weight so you know how much to dose for. Have you done an IM injection before?

I am not sure her weight but I will definitely weigh her before I give her any medication. I have not given a IM injection before. Only an under the skin injection for vaccinations. She is eating and drinking well and she is in a well ventilated area. She seems perkier than when I first brought her home but still has the mucusy cough.

 

[ameracaunagirl]

Will she for sure have a fever if it is pneumonia or is it possible to have pneumonia without being accompanied a fever? I forgot to mention the quantity of the mucous. There is only enough to be seen inside the nostrils. It is whitish yellow. I'm not sure if that matters.

 

[geekyearthmomma]

Now I can't remember for sure if you can do a subQ injection for penicillin but it will say on the bottle if that is fine or not. I don't know about the fever I'm a generational farmer don't even own a thermometer. That is how they taught us in university but I was raised by old timer farmers our method you can tell everything with just one look at the animal. But maybe that's in oud breeding

 

[cassie]

Now I can't remember for sure if you can do a subQ injection for penicillin but it will say on the bottle if that is fine or not. I don't know about the fever I'm a generational farmer don't even own a thermometer. That is how they taught us in university but I was raised by old timer farmers our method you can tell everything with just one look at the animal. But maybe that's in oud breeding

The vets at UC Davis told me to give all shots to goats SubQ not IM no matter what the label says. Of course IV injections need to be given IV but there are not many of those.

 

[ameracaunagirl]

So I am ccurrently giving penicillin G Proctane. She is just so little and I am running out of places to administer it. I have read that it can be given orally but I have also read that it is not a good idea. I don't want to give it orally unless Iknow for sure it won't harm her. Has anyone ever given their goat injectable penicillin G Proctane orally?

 

[cassie]

So I am ccurrently giving penicillin G Proctane. She is just so little and I am running out of places to administer it. I have read that it can be given orally but I have also read that it is not a good idea. I don't want to give it orally unless Iknow for sure it won't harm her. Has anyone ever given their goat injectable penicillin G Proctane orally?

Do not give it orally. Don't give it in the muscle either. Give it just under the skin. If the kid doesn't start responding to the penicillin, like soon, maybe you will need to use a different antibiotic. How much are you giving anyway?