Medicane advice

[punkgirrl]

My herd of two goats got attacked. One goat was hurt pretty bad and is at the vet recovering. But I am having to give penicillin shoots two time a day. I am having trouble giving her the shoots. I have watched a few youtube videos of how to give one. But the videos are on big goats that stand still. My girl is a 36lb and will not sit still. So my question is can I give her the penicillin oraly or do I have to give it in the shot form?

 

[Roll farms]

You shouldn't give it orally. The medicine could kill off the 'good' stuff in her rumen that helps her digest her food.

Can you find someone to hold her for you?
If not, try wrapping her in a large towel or throw so she can't kick / wiggle.

I find it much easier to give shots to a 36# goat than a 300# goat.

 

[punkgirrl]

I can find someone to hold her. But I am having trouble finding the muscle. The last shoot I gave her left a big whelp on her. I also read I can kill her from the shock of giving her a shoot. I am so worried about hurting her. I take them to get the CD&T shoot so I have never had to get used to giving them.
Any tips would be great

 

[Roll farms]

Penicillin can be given sub q (under the skin) instead of IM (in the muscle) if that makes it easier for you.

 

[AlaskanShepherdess]

Can you ask your vet to give you some tips? Maybe guide you with giving a shot? Or an experienced goat friend who lives close by? The lady I bought one of my goats from has been such a huge blessing to me in that way, she is always ready to come over for whatever I may need her help for and she doesn't mind my annoying emails and phone calls full of questions.

 

[ksalvagno]

An easy spot to give SQ shots is the base of the neck where it goes into the body. There is a lot of skin there that you can pull out like a tent. Just make sure the needle doesn't go out the other end. The other thing you can do if you are by yourself is halter them and tie them to a post so they at least can't run away from you or put them in the milkstand.

Everything but hormones can be given SQ. I find SQ easier to do than IM.

 

[Our7Wonders]

An easy spot to give SQ shots is the base of the neck where it goes into the body. There is a lot of skin there that you can pull out like a tent. .

Do you mean the nape of the neck area - like where cats and dogs are given shots at? I like that idea much better - we've given shots to our dogs before in that area and it was really easy.

 

[ksalvagno]

Basically yes. I usually do it a little lower than you would a cat or dog.

 

[chubbydog811]

I usually do SQ in the shoulder or hip area (I actually did both because my goat was getting 2 very large doses a day)

The way I found works best for giving a feisty goat shots by yourself - stand over the goat, with the goat's head between your legs - you facing the goat's rear. Then either back yourself into a corner, or put the goat's rear in a corner (or whatever works so that you can pin the goat to the wall without getting pushed over!)...Doesn't take as much strength, and it is a good way to give shots, trim feet, ect...I even milked this way while I was waiting for my milking stand to be done (the goat was a kicker, and a runner...so tying her didn't work.)

Hope this helps!

 

[DonnaBelle]

I have read it's always a good idea to use a l/2 inche long needle for SQ because it won't come out the other side of the "tent" of skin.

DonnaBelle