Important info for new goat owners

[goatkid]

Last night (Saturday - no vets office open) one of my doelings presented with symptoms of goat polio. Fortunately, I had the medicines she needed on hand and was able to treat her immediately. Had I not, I would have lost precious time in saving this kid. I often read on this forum where people have a sick goat, but then have a hard time acquiring the medication they need to treat it. Even if you have a small herd, it's really important to stay ahead of yourself and have medications, especially the prescription ones on hand. Thiamin is one thing I will never be without. It saved this goat's life. Other meds I keep around are Banamine, Nuflor, Excenel, Norcalciphos, propylene glycol, Penn G, Biomycin, B complex and BoSe.

[hoofinitnorth]

A great reminder! There are many sites that have a basic checklist of supplies and meds to have on-hand for the more common emergencies.

Good for you that you recognized an illness and switfly treated it accordingly! What type of thiamine did you use (injectible, oral, etc.)? How is your doeling doing?

[goatkid]

I used the injectable thiamin. The goat is responding and doing much better.

[DocM]

Oral thiamine therapy is useless for treating polio. Either have thiamine (RX) or B-complex that provides 100 mg of Thiamine per mL on hand. Knowing the dosage is important too..

[hoofinitnorth]

DocM (or others) - can you refresh our memories here and help us newbies on dosages, frequencies of dosing, method of injection (subQ, IM, IV, etc.)?

[meleahbee]

Also, what are the symptoms of goat polio?

[hoofinitnorth]

Info. on goat polio: http://goatconnection.com/articles/p...ticle_39.shtml

[DocM]

Dosage info
http://www.greatgoats.com/articles/c...g_dosages.html
This site will allow you to figure dosage for the strength of the thiamine you're using.

[goatkid]

I first noticed a problem with this doeling when she stumbled into her water tub which indicated to me that her vision was off. When I went to lead her from her pen to my lighted milking parlor, she was uncoordinated and wouldn't lead. I had to half carry her She staggered, walked into things and was stargazing (holding her head with her muzzle upward). In other words, you see neurological problems and blindness. She was also crying. I gave her 5cc thiamin subQ and 1cc Banamine IM. My vet also has me give 1 dost of Biomycin. I continued with 5 cc thiamin every 6 hours for 3 more doses. She is now getting 3 cc twice daily.

[hoofinitnorth]

I have some meds that say they are for IM or IV use only (and I think my thiamine is like that). Can you still things like thiamine, bio-mycin, pen-g, etc. SubQ (recognizing they might not be as effective/fast)?

[DocM]

SubQ is fine, although an advanced case of polio can sometimes respond to an IV dose when a sq has no effect. It's a good idea to become experienced in that - it's not that hard. A vet tech would probably teach you. Many polio victims won't eat, and tubing a mixture of ground alfalfa pellets and water is another sometimes effective therapy.