Goat diet in late pregnancy- How do you prevent hypocalcemia?

[Green Acres Farm]

"Cattle pour-on dewormers should NEVER be used in goats to treat internal parasites."

"NOTE that the cattle pour-on formulation should NOT be administered to goats orally – this is not permissible under extra-label use law."

http://media.wix.com/ugd/aded98_c7a6cc3b624043aeaefe8693f9f13c71.pdf

"Cattle pour-on dewormers should NEVER be used in goats to treat internal parasites."

"NOTE that the cattle pour-on formulation should NOT be administered to goats orally – this is not permissible under extra-label use law."

http://media.wix.com/ugd/aded98_c7a6cc3b624043aeaefe8693f9f13c71.pdf

Thanks for the post! I knew Cydectin should NEVER EVER NEVER be given as a pour on, but I didn't realize the pour on couldn't be given orally (I have the horse stuff and have not bought any other kind)

What are your opinions on hypocalcemia?

 

[Goat Whisperer]

I do give some alfalfa to the girls before kidding, but I don't really do anything drastic to increase the calcium. The alfalfa is more to keep them happy while they are alone in a stall. Once they kid I do offer TUMS after each milking. I had a doe that I was a little concerned about and she gobbled down a few tums and seemed ok after that. I don't know if it was a fluke thing or is the tums actually did something.

I do plan on getting a bottle of calcium drench maybe a bottle of calcium gluconate before next kidding season. We may freshen as many as 20 does, and I am a worry wart and always like to be prepared. I can get the drench for ~$10 and the calcium gluconate for $3 (BIG bottle). Well worth it to me in the case of an emergency!

When you have increasing numbers and years in goats these things become more likely. I am going to continue the way I've been feeding for years but I will be prepared if something goes wrong

 

[Green Acres Farm]

I do give some alfalfa to the girls before kidding, but I don't really do anything drastic to increase the calcium. The alfalfa is more to keep them happy while they are alone in a stall. Once they kid I do offer TUMS after each milking. I had a doe that I was a little concerned about and she gobbled down a few tums and seemed ok after that. I don't know if it was a fluke thing or is the tums actually did something.

I do plan on getting a bottle of calcium drench maybe a bottle of calcium gluconate before next kidding season. We may freshen as many as 20 does, and I am a worry wart and always like to be prepared. I can get the drench for ~$10 and the calcium gluconate for $3 (BIG bottle). Well worth it to me in the case of an emergency!

When you have increasing numbers and years in goats these things become more likely. I am going to continue the way I've been feeding for years but I will be prepared if something goes wrong

I've got the Calcium drench on hand and the calcium gluconate in my Jeffers shopping cart. Don't you hate it when right after you place an order you realize you forgot something!

 

[babsbag]

Just make sure you read up on giving the calcium. The treatment can kill them if it isn't given slow and easy. I really prefer letting a vet do it if I had a choice. The IV was done with a slow drip and heart rate was monitored during.

 

[Goat Whisperer]

Just make sure you read up on giving the calcium. The treatment can kill them if it isn't given slow and easy. I really prefer letting a vet do it if I had a choice. The IV was done with a slow drip and heart rate was monitored during.

YES! I would rather have a vet here with me, it is very dangerous!

 

[Green Acres Farm]

Just make sure you read up on giving the calcium. The treatment can kill them if it isn't given slow and easy. I really prefer letting a vet do it if I had a choice. The IV was done with a slow drip and heart rate was monitored during.

I was not planning on doing it myself. Anyone use MFO solution?

 

[Southern by choice]

Just make sure you read up on giving the calcium. The treatment can kill them if it isn't given slow and easy. I really prefer letting a vet do it if I had a choice. The IV was done with a slow drip and heart rate was monitored during.

Absolutely agree! It can be dangerous. We want it on hand but will call the vet in at the slightest hint of a problem. Not all our vets have everything on hand so better for us to make sure it is here.

Great point @babsbag

 

[babsbag]

I have a bottle of MFO but never used it.

 

[Green Acres Farm]

I have a bottle of MFO but never used it.

Do you know if that can be used in place of calcium gluconate?

 

[babsbag]

The calcium gluconate will be given IV or injected. The MFO is an oral drench. While the MFO will help a goat that just needs that extra boost it will not help in a crisis when the goat is down.