Vet says No Bo-Se necessary

LFRJ · #1 02/09/13, 06:28 PM

Our Kinder is due 1st / 2nd week of April, so on cue, I figured it was about time for the Bo-Se treatment. We've never been through a kidding before, so I've been following the Fiasco Farm instructions.

At first I thought one could get it OTC, but found out it had to be ordered through the vet. (Thanks Goat Servant). When I contacted our vet, he felt that it is better to get the nutrients naturally and asked about the mineral we were giving. I explained we offer Onyx and relayed the ingredients. He thought that sounded like pretty good stuff and explained that we would probably be okay without a Bo-Se shot, so long as we were faithfully providing mineral daily, free choice.

Our vet is the first to admit he is not a goat expert. He has been our farm valley's vet for over 50 years, but specializes in cows, sheep and horse. He took us on as a client because we all know how hard it is to find a goat vet, and the fancy livestock vet up north has earned a pretty bad reputation the past two years. Hour vet know that copper is important, as well as adequate selenium. What do you think? Can we get by without a shot, so long as we provide the onyx ass he suggests? Not meaning to start an argument here, but does everyone give a Bo-se shot? pre-kidding?

KrisD · #2 02/09/13, 06:37 PM

No I think your vet is wrong. We are in a deficient area and they need it. I would get the Selenium and Vit E paste that's over the counter. I think Coastal Farm and Garden carries it.

francismilker · #3 02/09/13, 06:39 PM

I do not give it pre kidding but keep it around and give 1/2cc at birth sub-q to kids. I was told to do that by my kid's Ag teacher who's our local goat authority and it seems to work for me.

That being said, if your goat is getting plenty of selenium through the loose you're giving it may not need it. Some live in a selenium deficient area and need to give supplement from time to time.

Goat Servant · #4 02/09/13, 07:02 PM

LFRJ, as per our conversation, I had given the pregos their BoSe early.
Two of HouseBoat's trips were ok in the legs, but one started off walking on his rear knuckles. Each kid got some anyway & within a few days he was fine, which he might have been regardless.
No other kids needed it.
We ARE in selenium def area. Pchuck does have a pretty decent goat vet now.

motdaugrnds · #5 02/09/13, 08:56 PM

Sorry, but I would not keep the selenium supplement away from my goats in a deficient area no matter what a vet said.

SilverFlame819 · #6 02/09/13, 09:20 PM

I never gave it, but I was NOT in a deficient area. You do what is best for you, your goat, and your region!

LoneStrChic23 · #7 02/09/13, 09:27 PM

Many folks will say they are not in a deficient area.... That's great, but where is your hay & feed produced? Are they getting every bit of their nutrients right off your land, or do you bring in their feed items? Do you know if your hay and feed come from a selenium deficient area?

I would try to get Bo-Se to keep in hand. I've seen in work miracles with kids who have wonky legs and poor suck reflex...

Goat Servant · #8 02/09/13, 09:53 PM

I think both LFRJ & we are getting hay from the same place. Grown in Eastern Wa. We are both using the same minerals.
My mentor from there gives BoSe.
I find that if does get it shortly before kidding, kids dont usually need it but once in a blue moon.
We used to give it to all newborns, but now only if I think they need it.

LoneStrChic23 · #9 02/09/13, 10:08 PM

Yep, I too found I had better luck giving it to my does while bred.

Last year I gave one doe her Bo-Se about 6 weeks before breeding, again about 7 weeks into pregnancy and one last booster 3 weeks before the due date. She was the only doe I boostered right before kidding (the others just got the first 2 shots) & her kids were the only ones with perfect legs and suck reflex right from the get go.

Zilli · #10 02/09/13, 10:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LoneStrChic23

Yep, I too found I had better luck giving it to my does while bred.

Last year I gave one doe her Bo-Se about 6 weeks before breeding, again about 7 weeks into pregnancy and one last booster 3 weeks before the due date. She was the only doe I boostered right before kidding (the others just got the first 2 shots) & her kids were the only ones with perfect legs and suck reflex right from the get go.

How much do you give a full size dairy doe?

I've only given it to the babies right after they're born.

LFRJ · #11 02/09/13, 10:40 PM

Looks like Hoeggers has a tube of paste/gel. Will that suffice? Instructions say 5ml per goat, but I'm wondering if that isn't for a kid or something already showing signs of white muscle.
??? Thank you for all of your replies.

LoneStrChic23 · #12 02/09/13, 10:44 PM

1cc per 40lbs.

I know a lady who was doing blood testing and such with A&M to see how long the Bo-Se was staying in the goats system in her herd.... On average it was pretty much gone by 21-27 days. Hence the reason I decided to give that one doe hers 21 days before the due date to see if it made a difference.

Goat Servant · #13 02/09/13, 10:57 PM

Lonestar, yes, BoSe does not stay in system long.

Zilli, Bose Injection is 1 cc pr 40lbs.

Lynette Ive never used the gel. But I do have some BoSe left if you want. (just got new bottle) Or I can provide you with a few doses.

KrisD · #14 02/09/13, 11:01 PM

I'm pretty sure Coastal farm and garden in MT Vernon carries it, probably other feed stores near you too. I use the paste regularly and never had kid problems, I too give it right before kidding.

Zilli · #15 02/10/13, 12:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LoneStrChic23

Yep, I too found I had better luck giving it to my does while bred.

Last year I gave one doe her Bo-Se about 6 weeks before breeding, again about 7 weeks into pregnancy and one last booster 3 weeks before the due date. She was the only doe I boostered right before kidding (the others just got the first 2 shots) & her kids were the only ones with perfect legs and suck reflex right from the get go.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Goat Servant

Lonestar, yes, BoSe does not stay in system long.

Zilli, Bose Injection is 1 cc pr 40lbs.

Lynette Ive never used the gel. But I do have some BoSe left if you want. (just got new bottle) Or I can provide you with a few doses.

My goat is about four weeks bred (this Monday) and it's too late for me to give her the dose prior to breeding obviously.

I can give her the shot at seven weeks bred and then the booster three weeks prior to her due date. Should I still give the babies a small dose, too, when they're born?

I've never noticed any problems; I've just given the babies 1/2 cc when they're first born as a precaution.

KrisD · #16 02/10/13, 01:18 AM

BoSe before breeding is to increase chances for conception. At this point I would wait until closer to kidding time.

motdaugrnds · #17 02/10/13, 07:10 AM

You can get selenium in a tube NOT needing an Rx from vet? OMG is it strong enough, clean enough of other stuff; and where can it be found?

o&itw · #18 02/10/13, 07:21 AM

http://nigeriandwarfgoats.ning.com/f...ectable-or-gel

KrisD · #19 02/10/13, 07:26 AM

I buy the tube at the local feed store but I know most of the catalogs have it. It's selenium and Vitamin E gel. Comes in a big fat tube like wormer. My vet said I could have the BoSe but this is what he uses on his animals with excellent results and it's WAY cheaper. I've used it for about 5 years now with no issues at all.

Copperhead · #20 02/10/13, 07:27 AM

If you're like me and can't afford hundreds of dollars for a vet to come to the farm and establish a "Working Relationship", try going to Walgreens. Selenium comes in 250mcg tablets which means 4 = 1mg of Selenium. VitE comes in softgels with 400i.u. ea. Don't reckon the extra VitE will hurt.

Now where can I score some Banamine? lol