Can anyone help me with meds?

[valsey]

Can anyone help mw with meds? I need to get some Dex for a case of meningeal worm. I can order it, but I'm not sure which is the correct one. There is Dexamethasone Solution Injection 2mg/mL and Dexamethasone Sodium Phosphate I.V. Injection 4mg/mL. Do I want just the solution?

[Heritagefarm]

Doesn't sound like they're different, aside from the suspension. Is your goat sick enough to require an IV tube?

[valsey]

No - is that the difference? One is for IV one is for injection? I need to inject 1.0 mg/kg dose. And I'm not even sure how to figure that out either for a 195 lb goat.

Thank you

[Heritagefarm]

Well, let's say you use the first option, at 1 mg/kg dose... That can't be right. You'd be using bottles!
ETA: With our Dexasone we just give about 2 mL for a goat that size.

[Bearfootfarm]

And I'm not even sure how to figure that out either for a 195 lb goat

I need to inject 1.0 mg/kg dose

195 divided by 2.2= 88.63 Kg

Dexamethasone Solution Injection 2mg/mL = 44-45ML = 88-90Mg

I.V. Injection 4mg/mL = 22-23ML =88-92 Mg

[mygoat]

Well, a kg is approximately 2.2 lbs. Your 195lb goat weighs approximately 89kg. (195/2.2=89).

*sigh* I think I did my math wrong that I had here originally, looking at BearFootFarm's math... At least that math adds up to the proper mg needed by the goat LOL. I guess I should get back to doing my physics homework...

If the doe has meningeal worm, can she wait to get the injection or could you get it from your vet asap?

[valsey]

I am totally confused. This is the dosage from my vet. I've been under the impression that about 3ccs was a dose for a goat this size. A 44 ml shot is way too much. Does anyone have a bottle around that can recommend a dosage?

[valsey]

From the vet's email:
For the first 3 days, a 1.0 mg/kg dose of dexamethasone would be beneficial. The dose can then be decreased to 0.5 mg/kg for another 4 days, then go to every other day treatment for a few more days.

[valsey]

This website describes Dex and the dosages listed are a lot closer to what I was thinking. Could the vet have typed it wrong or is it our math?

http://www.drugs.com/vet/dexamethasone-solution.html


Bovine - Dexamethasone Solution - 5 to 20 mg intravenously or intramuscularly.

Equine - Dexamethasone Solution - 2.5 to 5 mg intravenously or intramuscularly.

Canine - Dexamethasone Solution - 0.25 to 1 mg intravenously or intramuscularly. The dose may be repeated for three to five days.

Feline - Dexamethasone Solution - 0.125 to 0.5 mg intravenously or intramuscularly. The dose may be repeated for three to five days.

[Bearfootfarm]

A 44 ml shot is way too much

Not at the 1mg/kg you said you needed.

Could the vet have typed it wrong or is it our math?

Call the vet and get him to tell you in MLs
for the specific drug you're using

The math is right going by what you told us.

This website describes Dex and the dosages listed are a lot closer to what I was thinking

Different amounts apply to different species.
It take 5 times the amount of Safeguard to worm as dog compared to a sheep

Just call the vet to clarify it for you

[valsey]

Well how do you like that? Didn't prompt the vet and just received this email:

"I rechecked my dosage on dexamethasone. The dose is 0.1 mg/kg followed by a 0.05 mg dosage. That decimal place makes a big difference!"

Now that makes more sense!

[Laverne]

Banamine is also recommended. Here is a thread I thought informative. http://dairygoatinfo.com/index.php/topic,12243.0.html

[Bearfootfarm]

Well how do you like that? Didn't prompt the vet and just received this email:

"I rechecked my dosage on dexamethasone. The dose is 0.1 mg/kg followed by a 0.05 mg dosage. That decimal place makes a big difference!"

Now that makes more sense!

LOL Glad you got it figured out before you gave it to them

[pygmybabies]

really! Good thing the vet thought enough about it to go back and check the email he sent you

[valsey]

Well there's no way I would have given THAT much! Lordy! I'm glad she rechecked too!

Thanks all!