antibiotic question

[Suburbanfarmer]

Ok, so we just did our first delivery and the kid got stuck so I had to go in and help. The advice I was seeing is to do a round of antibiotics if you have to go in at all. So, my vet gave me penicillin. I really, really want to move toward a much more organic/holistic approach. What does everyone else do? I guess since I've started the round (1 out of 5 injections done) I have to continue. I'm thinking more for next time. And it's killing me that she is producing so much extra milk (that I have to milk out anyway) that we would have been able to use, but can't because of the antibiotics. *sigh. I'm going to chalk this up to a learning experience.

What advice do you have? Should I have waited to see if she started to get an infection? Start her on something herbal? If so, what do you use?

Thanks!

 

[elevan]

Continue the antibiotics since you (the vet) started them. You don't want to create super bugs that will be impossible to deal with.

Use all that extra milk for soap or lotions. Freeze it until you're ready for it.

Also make sure that you have a talk with your vet so that s/he understands your position on antibiotic use.

 

[byardbabe]

Hi,
I am fairly new to goating. I have Nubians and try to worm ect. using different herbs. Goats give colostrum for 24-48 hr but it will still be present in the milk for 5 or more days. I do milk enough out that they don't get engorged, still leaving plenty for the babies. Then I freeze it labeling what day post kidding I got it from. That way in case there would ever be a problem where I would have to bottle feed I would have some ready in the freezer. (also with the first 24 hours colostrum I freeze in 4 oz containers. )