Goat Health
The eight teeth in the lower front jaw of your goat can help you to tell his age. They are not an exact or perfect guide, as various factors such as diet will influence the growth of teeth. Also, every goat is an individual just like you and your friends. Remember, not all your baby teeth fell out at the same time as those of other children in your classes. A goat’s teeth may grow and fall out at slightly different ages than the teeth of any other goat. There are no upper front teeth in the goat’s mouth, instead your goat has a tough toothless “dental pad”. Your goat does have teeth on the top and bottom of his jaw further back in his mouth. These back teeth help him to chew his cud. We do not use these to tell his age.
This chart goes from age under 1 year to the 3 years old because from the age of four on, the process for determining the goat's age becomes less precise and an exact age is difficult to determine. As the goat grows older, the teeth begin to buck out and spread. By the time the goat is ten years old, the teeth are generally pretty worn, depending upon what the goat has been fed or how tough its forage has been or whatever injuries the goat may have sustained to its mouth during its lifetime.
This is part of the reason that a lot of people recommend using only loose minerals and salt. Goats have a tendency to use their teeth to scrape off and break chunks off of the hard blocks which can ware their teeth down faster and even break them off.
This chart goes from age under 1 year to the 3 years old because from the age of four on, the process for determining the goat's age becomes less precise and an exact age is difficult to determine. As the goat grows older, the teeth begin to buck out and spread. By the time the goat is ten years old, the teeth are generally pretty worn, depending upon what the goat has been fed or how tough its forage has been or whatever injuries the goat may have sustained to its mouth during its lifetime.
This is part of the reason that a lot of people recommend using only loose minerals and salt. Goats have a tendency to use their teeth to scrape off and break chunks off of the hard blocks which can ware their teeth down faster and even break them off.
Where to give shots
Internal Parasites more info can be found at https://www.facebook.com/groups/THE.GOAT.CARE.UNIT/ also check out the following link https://www.facebook.com/groups/THE.GOAT.CARE.UNIT/448449041919710/
Medications to keep on hand
Goat Guideline for Anthelmintic Dosages (internal parasite dewormers) July 2006 *Important --- Please read notes below before using this chart*
1Valbazen Suspension (11.36 % or 113.6 mg/ml): Do NOT use in pregnant does in the first trimester of pregnancy. Meat withdrawal time is 9 days and 7 days for milk (FARAD). 2Safe-Guard/ Panacur Suspension (10% or 100 mg/ml): Approved in goats at 5 mg/kg with meat withdrawal time of 6 days and no withdrawal period for milk. Although the label dose in goats is 5 mg/kg, it is generally recognized that 10 mg/kg dosage is required for good efficacy. At 10 mg/kg dosage, meat withdrawal is 16 days and 4 days for milk (FARAD). 3Ivomec Sheep Drench (0.08% or 0.8 mg/ml): Protect from light. Coughing may occur during and following drenching. Meat withdrawal time is 14 days (FARAD). 4Levasole Soluble Drench Powder (Sheep): Oral solution ONLY. To prepare use 1 packet (13 gm/11.7 gm active ingredient) dissolved in 262 ml [8.9 oz.] water (44.7 mg/ml) {or 52 gram packet dissolved in 1048 ml water [35.4 oz.].} NOTE: This is different dilution from the label directions for administration. Meat withdrawal time is 4 days (FARAD). 5 Cydectin Pour on for cattle (0.5% or 5 mg/ml): Meat withdrawal time is 23 days. Not for use in lactating dairy goats. 6 Cydectin Drench for sheep (.1% or 1 mg/ml): Meat withdrawal time is 14 days. Not for use in lactating dairy goats. 7Cydectin Injectable for cattle (1% or 10mg/ml): GIVE SQ. Meat withdrawal time is 30 days. Not for use in lactating dairy goats.
NOTE for Guideline for Anthelmintic Dosages in Goats The attached chart was developed by Ray M. Kaplan, DVM, PhD (University of Georgia) and modified by Patty Scharko DVM, MPH (University of Kentucky.) and Lionel Dawson DVM, PhD. (Oklahoma State University). It is provided as a possible guideline for anthelmintic (deworming) dosages for goats. Producers should consult their veterinarian for advice on their specific management situation for determining dosages for their herd. With the exception of fenbendazole administered at the 5 mg/kg dose, these drugs are not approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use in goats, and when used in goats are considered extra-label use (fenbendazole at the recommended dose rate of 10 mg/kg is considered extra-label usage). The FDA regards extra-label use of drugs as an exclusive privilege of the veterinary profession and is only permitted when a bona fide veterinarian-client-patient relationship exists and an appropriate medical diagnosis has been made. The chart is intended to serve as guideline for improving accuracy when dosing goats with an anthelmintic, but these drugs should be used in goats only when appropriate veterinary advice has been received. Drug resistance in parasites of goats is extremely common. The effectiveness of an anthelmintic should always be tested before being used by performing a FECRT (Fecal Egg Count Reduction test) or larval development (DrenchRite) assay if available. ** The current recommendation is to use the Cydectin cattle injectable formulation and NOT the pour-on formulation (orally) or the sheep oral drench. When administered by subcutaneous injection, moxidectin provides improved drug levels as compared to when administered orally. __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Information contained in this document is part of a web-based training and certification program for meat goat producers (http://www2.luresext.edu/goats/training/qa.html) that was developed with funding received by Langston University from USDA/FSIS/OPHS project #FSIS-C-10-2004 entitled "Development of a Web-based Training and Certification Program for Meat Goat Producers." Collaborating institutions/organizations include Alcorn State University, American Boer Goat Association, American Kiko Goat Association, American Meat Goat Association, Florida A&M University, Fort Valley State University, Kentucky State University, Langston University, Prairie View A&M University, Southern University, Tennessee Goat Producers Association, Tennessee State University, Tuskegee University, United States Boer Goat Association, University of Arkansas Pine Bluff, and Virginia State University
NOTE for Guideline for Anthelmintic Dosages in Goats The attached chart was developed by Ray M. Kaplan, DVM, PhD (University of Georgia) and modified by Patty Scharko DVM, MPH (University of Kentucky.) and Lionel Dawson DVM, PhD. (Oklahoma State University). It is provided as a possible guideline for anthelmintic (deworming) dosages for goats. Producers should consult their veterinarian for advice on their specific management situation for determining dosages for their herd. With the exception of fenbendazole administered at the 5 mg/kg dose, these drugs are not approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use in goats, and when used in goats are considered extra-label use (fenbendazole at the recommended dose rate of 10 mg/kg is considered extra-label usage). The FDA regards extra-label use of drugs as an exclusive privilege of the veterinary profession and is only permitted when a bona fide veterinarian-client-patient relationship exists and an appropriate medical diagnosis has been made. The chart is intended to serve as guideline for improving accuracy when dosing goats with an anthelmintic, but these drugs should be used in goats only when appropriate veterinary advice has been received. Drug resistance in parasites of goats is extremely common. The effectiveness of an anthelmintic should always be tested before being used by performing a FECRT (Fecal Egg Count Reduction test) or larval development (DrenchRite) assay if available. ** The current recommendation is to use the Cydectin cattle injectable formulation and NOT the pour-on formulation (orally) or the sheep oral drench. When administered by subcutaneous injection, moxidectin provides improved drug levels as compared to when administered orally. __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Information contained in this document is part of a web-based training and certification program for meat goat producers (http://www2.luresext.edu/goats/training/qa.html) that was developed with funding received by Langston University from USDA/FSIS/OPHS project #FSIS-C-10-2004 entitled "Development of a Web-based Training and Certification Program for Meat Goat Producers." Collaborating institutions/organizations include Alcorn State University, American Boer Goat Association, American Kiko Goat Association, American Meat Goat Association, Florida A&M University, Fort Valley State University, Kentucky State University, Langston University, Prairie View A&M University, Southern University, Tennessee Goat Producers Association, Tennessee State University, Tuskegee University, United States Boer Goat Association, University of Arkansas Pine Bluff, and Virginia State University
Goat Kidding Positions good & bad
Coni Ross Homemade bottle kid formula
1 cup of nonfat dry milk (any generic grocery store version will do)
3 cups warm water
1 large egg
1/4 cup whipping cream
1 scoop Calf Pac (live probiotic product containing 5 viable organisms)
Mix with a mixer or food processor. Do not microwave.
To double the recipe: double water, milk, leave whipping cream the same, use a jumbo egg.
To triple: triple water, milk, 1/3 cup whipping cream, 2 large eggs.
Egg has all of the essential amino acids, fatty acids, and vitamins except vitamin C.
Coni says, “This recipe will grow kids as well as their own dam.”
Colostrum Replacers and Supplements - Do not confuse these two types of products. Newborns must have colostrum during the first hours after birth. If the dam is colostrum deficient, the producer must use a colostrum replacer. The best colostrum replacer is frozen colostrum taken from does on your property who have already kidded. This colostrum will have the antibodies needed to provide the kids the needed immunity to the infectious organisms present in your particular location. If you don't have a supply of frozen colostrum, then you must use a commercially-prepared goat colostrum replacer (*not* "supplement"). *A reminder: Do not use colostrum or colostrum replacer beyond the first 48 hours of the kid's life. Switch to goat's milk or goat's milk replacer. Colostrum has already done its job for the newborn after 48 hours and the kid's body can better digest goat's milk.
Magic & Revive Recipesby Coni Ross of CR Ranch in Blanco, Texas
www.crranch.org
These two recipes have saved untold goat lives and no one should go into kidding season without these recipes handy and the ingredients on hand. Ketosis and hypocalcemia are serious concerns especially with does carrying multiple fetuses and/or large kids. Propylene Glycol while fine for treating ketosis in cattle just does not have the same positive effects with goats and Connie Ross’s Revive and Magic are more suited for a goats system and have been responsible for the saving of many goats lives whether they have been used for the treatment of hypocalcemia, stress and/or many other illnesses when a goat is going downhill fast and needs immediate attention.
Magic
1 pint of molasses
1 pint of Karo Syrup
1 cup corn oil
Mix and keep in the house as it will not pour if cold.
Give 6-10 ounces as the last drench at bedtime in pregnancy toxemia to keep energy up and hold the doe for the night. Use 8-10 oz for a large doe.
Magic is also good for sick animals who have gone off their feed.
Revive
1 500 ml bottle 50% Dextrose
1 500 ml bottle of Amino Acid Solution (50cc if it is the concentrate)
200 cc Calcium Gluconate (for pregnancy toxemia)
20 cc B Complex
5 cc B12 (3000 mcg)
5 cc Thiamine (500 mg/ml)
1 gram Ascorbic Acid
Mix in a half gallon canning jar and keep in a cool dark place.
Give 100 cc’s of Revive mixed with an equal amount of water several times a day until the doe is eating again.
Revive can be used for any sick goat if the Calcium Gluconate is left out.
Connie does not use CMPK until after the doe has kidded and states that the Calcium Gluconate works better before kidding.
Helpful links:
Onion Creek Ranch, Lohn, TX
Jack & Anita Mauldin Boer Goats
Fiasco Farms
1 cup of nonfat dry milk (any generic grocery store version will do)
3 cups warm water
1 large egg
1/4 cup whipping cream
1 scoop Calf Pac (live probiotic product containing 5 viable organisms)
Mix with a mixer or food processor. Do not microwave.
To double the recipe: double water, milk, leave whipping cream the same, use a jumbo egg.
To triple: triple water, milk, 1/3 cup whipping cream, 2 large eggs.
Egg has all of the essential amino acids, fatty acids, and vitamins except vitamin C.
Coni says, “This recipe will grow kids as well as their own dam.”
Colostrum Replacers and Supplements - Do not confuse these two types of products. Newborns must have colostrum during the first hours after birth. If the dam is colostrum deficient, the producer must use a colostrum replacer. The best colostrum replacer is frozen colostrum taken from does on your property who have already kidded. This colostrum will have the antibodies needed to provide the kids the needed immunity to the infectious organisms present in your particular location. If you don't have a supply of frozen colostrum, then you must use a commercially-prepared goat colostrum replacer (*not* "supplement"). *A reminder: Do not use colostrum or colostrum replacer beyond the first 48 hours of the kid's life. Switch to goat's milk or goat's milk replacer. Colostrum has already done its job for the newborn after 48 hours and the kid's body can better digest goat's milk.
Magic & Revive Recipesby Coni Ross of CR Ranch in Blanco, Texas
www.crranch.org
These two recipes have saved untold goat lives and no one should go into kidding season without these recipes handy and the ingredients on hand. Ketosis and hypocalcemia are serious concerns especially with does carrying multiple fetuses and/or large kids. Propylene Glycol while fine for treating ketosis in cattle just does not have the same positive effects with goats and Connie Ross’s Revive and Magic are more suited for a goats system and have been responsible for the saving of many goats lives whether they have been used for the treatment of hypocalcemia, stress and/or many other illnesses when a goat is going downhill fast and needs immediate attention.
Magic
1 pint of molasses
1 pint of Karo Syrup
1 cup corn oil
Mix and keep in the house as it will not pour if cold.
Give 6-10 ounces as the last drench at bedtime in pregnancy toxemia to keep energy up and hold the doe for the night. Use 8-10 oz for a large doe.
Magic is also good for sick animals who have gone off their feed.
Revive
1 500 ml bottle 50% Dextrose
1 500 ml bottle of Amino Acid Solution (50cc if it is the concentrate)
200 cc Calcium Gluconate (for pregnancy toxemia)
20 cc B Complex
5 cc B12 (3000 mcg)
5 cc Thiamine (500 mg/ml)
1 gram Ascorbic Acid
Mix in a half gallon canning jar and keep in a cool dark place.
Give 100 cc’s of Revive mixed with an equal amount of water several times a day until the doe is eating again.
Revive can be used for any sick goat if the Calcium Gluconate is left out.
Connie does not use CMPK until after the doe has kidded and states that the Calcium Gluconate works better before kidding.
Helpful links:
Onion Creek Ranch, Lohn, TX
Jack & Anita Mauldin Boer Goats
Fiasco Farms