Isabella is doing much better and appreciates all of the advise given on her behalf. We took that advise. I had to work and Ted was a good sport, collected a fecal sample. A fresh, very fresh fecal sample from Isabella, and trekked over to Dover-Foxcroft Vet for analysis. I called in the afternoon and yes, it was worms. Strongyles. We had de-wormed in the fall. The vet recommended using Ivermectin anthelmintic (big word for de-wormer). When I got home I looked up the treatment recommended for goats in my "Goat School" book. Out to the barn we went with Ivermectin Sheep Drench (off label use for goats is okay but the dosage is different), a drenching gun, tape measure, and a weight chart from Fias Co Farm. We measured Isabella just behind her legs, around her chest. She was 38" and from the chart she weighs approximately 160 lbs. According to the book she was to receive 3ml of Ivermectin for each 25 lbs. We withdrew the 21ml's with the drench gun and placed the nozzle to the left side of her mouth and instilled the liquid. No coughing. She did make a horrible face. One that I have seen on my children's faces with medication administration. She wanted to know where the bubble gum or grape flavor was. Goats! I noticed that she had picked up a little weight with the extra grain over night. Annie, Isabella's daughter, was with her so we weighed the little girl and treated her too. The spent the night in the stall with fresh hay, water and some grain. Everyone else still looked good. No other outward signs of weight loss. We will weigh and treat all of the goats after I get through with my 3 shifts this week. Ted said that everyone was happy in the barn and Isabella's appetite was back to normal this morning. Our temps got down to -14 last night. Isabella is refusing to give me back my shirt. I guess it does look kind of good on her.
Much Love and Prayers from Mainely Ewes Farm
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8 comments:
I think it's interesting about what Vet's recommend and I maybe it has to do with the region too. My Vet always says to use Valbazen. Are you supoosed to repeat in 10 days to kill the new hatch? Sure glad Isabella is back to normal.
Kelly, I use NC State Vet School and Hospital for my goats and the head of the goat and sheep dept told me to get Ivermectin for horses but give 1cc to the goats orally every season. I did that with my big herd and with buttons but dang is it ever hard to catch Nigerian Dwarfs when they see you have nasty medicine in your hand. LOL Glad all is better at your place.
Ok. I just have so many questions about this. I spend a lot of time thinking about parasite management, but I feel like my head is full of unsubstantiated Internet "truths" and less-than-knowledgeable vet (not a goat expert, so he's of the "one-size-fits-all" mentality) information.
First, regarding the weighing with a tape measure - is it possible to get an accurate weight with winter coats on? My Pete and Reggie are HUGE with their winter coats currently. Seems this would skew (is that spelled right? lol) the reading.
I would like to teach myself to do fecal tests, but need to get some supplies first. The lady who originally rescued the llamas I took in has posted some great step-by-step info on how to do your own fecal tests, I'm assuming this would apply to all critters and not just llamas, but then to figure out what to give and how much to give stresses me out. That's a LOTTA ivermectin you gave Isabella. Did you get nervous dosing her with that much of a product that isn't labeled for her?
Loved this post - thank you for writing it. Sorry for the long comment/questions. :-)
Thanks goodness for the internet. What did farmers do before?
Kisses to Isabelle!
Smiles,
Lisa
It's always so exasperating to have a sick animal; I'm always caught between what the vet says and what others day. Glad you've got a good outcome with Isabella.
Isabella is a lot like our Gidget, she loves making fashion statements.
bless your heart. It is so hard when animals get sick. Sometimes even when we try our best to keep them healthy, they can still run into trouble. I hope Isabella is doing better. blessings,Kathleen
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