elderly goat-problems

[Blue Dog Farms]

We have Aussies and have used Ivermectin for years with them. My sister actually had one test positive for h/w when he was maybe a couple years old and started treating him with ivermectin monthly, the dog lived to be 12 and actually tested negative for heart worms in later testing.

 

[elevan]

We have Aussies and have used Ivermectin for years with them. My sister actually had one test positive for h/w when he was maybe a couple years old and started treating him with ivermectin monthly, the dog lived to be 12 and actually tested negative for heart worms in later testing.

This has gotten WAY off the topic. There is not a dispute that ivermectin is used for heartworms - that is not what I said.

 

[Blue Dog Farms]

No I know, I just have never heard that it wasnt good for Aussies, just commenting that we have used it. I wouldnt suggest anyone else use it if you have heard that it could be bad for the breed, but thank you for the info I will look it up. Back to topic, I did notice a little bug on one of my does today and was a little grossed out, thinking lice. Will herbal wormers do anything?? Im thinking no, so maybe a spray along with the herbal? How would a closed herd get lice?

 

[elevan]

Back to topic, I did notice a little bug on one of my does today and was a little grossed out, thinking lice. Will herbal wormers do anything?? Im thinking no, so maybe a spray along with the herbal? How would a closed herd get lice?

Some people claim that DE will work

 

[redtailgal]

x

 

[smoky73]

Well, I was just asking as to why you would use a medicine labeled as a pour on as an oral med. Does not make sense to use as it was not intended on the packaging.
I still believe that its a old age thing, I do not really feel its a bug problem as there has NEVER been one here in my goats, and no one else has any signs. If anything, I will admit maybe it could be nutritional, although she does get good grass/alfalfa hay, sweet feed and loose minerals. However, I did just purchase some vit E & selenium top dress to feed them. I do not like paste, its too hard to get them to eat it, and I have at least 1 aggressive biter. So I opted for some I can add to some sweet feed and dose each individually.

Edited to say that I do own some DE, and hubby usually puts it in their water as it keeps the algae down in the tank. So I can go out and Dust them with it too. I also got her the other day with a fly spray, I think it was called Tri-tech, it was in a grey bbottle and for horses.

 

[elevan]

Well, I was just asking as to why you would use a medicine labeled as a pour on as an oral med. Does not make sense to use as it was not intended on the packaging.
I still believe that its a old age thing, I do not really feel its a bug problem as there has NEVER been one here in my goats, and no one else has any signs. If anything, I will admit maybe it could be nutritional, although she does get good grass/alfalfa hay, sweet feed and loose minerals. However, I did just purchase some vit E & selenium top dress to feed them. I do not like paste, its too hard to get them to eat it, and I have at least 1 aggressive biter. So I opted for some I can add to some sweet feed and dose each individually.

Edited to say that I do own some DE, and hubby usually puts it in their water as it keeps the algae down in the tank. So I can go out and Dust them with it too. I also got her the other day with a fly spray, I think it was called Tri-tech, it was in a grey bbottle and for horses.

If you have external bugs, you'll be able to see them (lice or mites)....if you don't then you probably don't have them.

I use DE as a lice preventative for my chickens. For me dusting down the goats is a PITA, so I choose not to use DE (or any dust) ON the goats...their housing is a different story.

There are several posts on here about goats with nutritional problems and what has been done or tried to fix them. Do a search and read up...maybe you'll get some ideas. I've not had to deal with anything other than copper deficiency yet and hope to keep it that way.

The reason that Merial chose to label the pour on as a pour on according to the study I read is because it is NASTY tasting (unpalatable they said) and the animals won't take it orally readily...and it was found to be effective in CATTLE as a pour on. I found the clinical studies...others can too...2 weeks of research for my own satisfaction that I am NOT going to do again to satisfy others who want to beat me over the head for my decision. I never said that anyone had to use it orally I just said what I found and why I made the decision to give it a try. And each person on this forum needs to do their own research and make the decision to do what they feel is best for THEIR OWN farm...as stated before this forum is for sharing ideas.

 

[SDGsoap&dairy]

Yep, some collies are ivermectin sensitive and need an alternative (which there are available.) But by and large MOST of the heartworm preventative we sell at the practice I work for is Ivermectin based.

 

[cmjust0]

...I found the clinical studies...others can too...2 weeks of research for my own satisfaction that I am NOT going to do again to satisfy others who want to beat me over the head for my decision. ... each person on this forum needs to do their own research and make the decision to do what they feel is best for THEIR OWN farm...as stated before this forum is for sharing ideas.

In my experience, it's pretty widely recognized that if you state something as *fact* on a forum like this -- especially in regard to a particularly controversial subject -- people will ask to see some type of reference material. I'm only saying this now because it seems as if my having requested some material to back up your claims was taken personally -- but it wasn't meant to be personal.

I just wanted links.

 

[elevan]

...I found the clinical studies...others can too...2 weeks of research for my own satisfaction that I am NOT going to do again to satisfy others who want to beat me over the head for my decision. ... each person on this forum needs to do their own research and make the decision to do what they feel is best for THEIR OWN farm...as stated before this forum is for sharing ideas.

In my experience, it's pretty widely recognized that if you state something as *fact* on a forum like this -- especially in regard to a particularly controversial subject -- people will ask to see some type of reference material. I'm only saying this now because it seems as if my having requested some material to back up your claims was taken personally -- but it wasn't meant to be personal.

I just wanted links.

I stated what I found and what I decided to do on my farm. I am NOT telling others that is what they should do without first doing their own research. If I come across the links again, I'll post them.

I too was skeptical about using a pour on orally originally. I've changed my mind after doing my own research. If we all used ONLY things labeled specifically for goats or only as "prescribed" then we wouldn't have any options as goat herders, now would we?? ALMOST EVERYTHING goat is controversial because we are using so many things OFF LABEL.