Pls help - doeling off bottle. Distressed, 105.7 temp

[cmjust0]

The 'armpit' (which, if I'm not mistaken, is what veterinary science calls 'the axillary space') is indeed my preferred spot for shots...however...if I'm going to be giving a poopload of something requiring many injections, I might also go over the ribs in a couple of different spots. The hide there is a bit tougher, but not terribly so. If you picked two spots over the ribs on each side (about halfway down, fore and aft, for instance) and used each armpit...that's six sites. Spreading as many shots as you're looking at across six sites isn't so bad.

Also...and you didn't hear this from me, but... ...some folks recommend 7-10 days of PenG. Whenever my vet has advised penicillin, he's always said "about a week." I've given it that way, and I've given it longer based on hearing/seeing/reading of other folks' usage...just depends on what I'm doing and how I'm feeling about the animal.

Going longer is probably safer in terms of potential relapse and so forth, but...well, do what you will with the above info..

Probably a good time to point out another fun part of goat world, which is that things that should maybe -- or perhaps I should say, would normally -- come down to simply reading a label end up becoming judgement calls in many cases. Making judgement calls requires experience...experience is learning from one's mistakes...unfortunately, mistakes sometimes cost lives. That's just how it works.

Goats can be fun.. Goats can be frustrating.. Goats can be rewarding.. Goats can be heartbreaking.. If you enjoy a challenge, and if you enjoy reading and researching and learning all sorts of new things you never knew you'd need to know, and if you can make life or death decisions quickly and live with the outcome either way...you've got the makings of good herdsfolk.

Keep us posted.

 

[aggieterpkatie]

I also give sub-q injections in the neck. It's easy to tent the skin on the side of the neck and inject there. I really don't like giving anything over the ribs, because the skin isn't loose and it makes it more difficult, IMO. But, I also don't have a problem giving anything (when the label calls for it) IM either.

 

[Lil-patch-of-heaven]

I might try the neck then. Last night I was eying her neck and considering it.

The first injection went fine. Yesterdays am one leaked out a bit, which I didn't like. Yesterdays pm dose was worse. If I'm going to give anti-b, which ... I certainly don't believe in jumping right to them without good cause, but when you NEED them I am certainly glad we have them! The very last thing I want to do is sub- dose them or stop too soon. IMO you run far too great a risk of breeding stronger bugs.

I don't get it. I've given hundreds on sq puppy shots. I've given more human shots than that, sq and im, in various sites. I'm really having a hard time with this little girl. And I hate it all the more because she will lie there and let me -- she trusts me. Well, I guess that's really a good thong. If she were fighting it'd be that much more difficult.

Seems like she doesn't HAVE any loose skin. I did try over the shoulder and along the ribs. I poked the baby so full of holes last night that when I DID get a good spot the penG just ran out. Maybe through another hole. The am dose seemed to partially run out the hole I injected it through.

I may just do the armpits for a while if I can't get loose skin on the neck. I'm going to feel the other kids and see if they feel the same. I'm just afraid I'm hurting her more by giving lowered doses.

On the good side, she SEEMS perfectly fine now. Took two full bottles yesterday, ran all over the pasture looking for me, holding her own with the bigger kids and the does, browsing fine, and trying to steal food or a bottle from the fridge when I brought her in for a shot. (she's always squeezing through the gate behind me when I go out and will follow me anywhere) I haven't taken her temp again -- I was
going to after the 4th dose, but she seems like she's fine.

It's very frustrating, especially when I feel it's important she gets the full amt AND I think I should be able to do this. I sure wish there was something I could give by mouth though.

 

[cmjust0]

Couldn't tell you the number of times I've given SQ shots only to go...oops...there goes the med, running out the bottom of the tent.

Straight through...two holes.

It happens. The less skin they have to pinch up, the more likely it is to happen. Happens less in the armpit area for me, but it still happens occasionally. Wish I could be more help than that..

Glad she's improving, though!