• Goat Medications and How I Use Them revised 05-01-2023
• Taking reservations for GoatCamp™ 2023
• A Big Thank You to the 2023 Kidding Interns!

injections are required, they are usually given at birth and again at one month of age (one-half cc  SQ). Pregnant does receive injections  six weeks before kidding, and bucks are injected  twice a year. Adult dosage of BoSe is 2-1/2 cc per 100 lbs bodyweight given SQ.   It is easy to overdose selenium.

C&D Anti-toxin - Over-the-counter made-for-goats product that can be safely used for many problems when the problem already exists. . Severe diarrhea in very young kids, toxicity caused by plants, poisons (bites, overeating disease, bloat, ruminal acidosis, and ingestion of toxic substances like azaleas and antifreeze are several examples), one of the products administered to combat Floppy Kid Syndrome . . . these are a few of the applications of this very versatile product. C&D Anti-toxin provides short-term protection (about 12 hours) but works quickly towards solving the immediate problem. Follow label directions. Must be refrigerated. Freezes at very high temperatures.   C&D   Anti-toxin negates any protection previously given by the CD/T vaccine, so you must wait for at least five days after completion of C&D Anti-toxin therapy and re-vaccinate the animal with the initial CD/T vaccine injection plus the booster 30 days thereafter. Must-have medication.  There is no substitute.

CD/T vaccine (Clostridium Perfringens Types C&D + Tetanus Toxoid Vaccine) - Over-the-counter made-for-goats VACCINE  that provides long-term protection against overeating disease (types C&D) and tetanus. Kids of one to three months of age and all newly-purchased animals regardless of age should be vaccinated with 2 cc and then a second vaccination should be given 30 days later. Two injections 30 days apart are required in order to provide long-term protection. Annually thereafter, one injection of 2 cc per goat will renew the protection. Give SQ. It may cause an injection-site reaction called a granuloma,  which is an indication of the body's positive reaction to the vaccine. The granuloma  goes away in time.

Caseous Lymphadenitis (CL) vaccine - Introduced in May 2012 by Texas Vet Lab of San Angelo, Texas, this terrific vaccine made specifically to prevent and treat CL in goats was removed from the market in May 2021 because goat raisers wouldn't spend the money to buy it.  It is gone forever.   Goat raisers really hurt themselves and their goats  by not buying this wonderful vaccine.   Note: The sheep CL vaccine does NOT work on goats.

Chondroprotec - A skin regrowing medication. Prescription.  Applied topically. The January 2013 issue of MeatGoatMania has an article and pictures of this amazing product.

CMPK (or MFO) - Over-the-counter oral solution of calcium, magnesium, potassium, phosphorus, and dextrose.     Used with hypocalcemia ("milk fever"), grass tetany, and to induce cervical dilation in pregnant does.

Colostrum Replacers & Supplements - Do not confuse these two types of products. Newborns must have colostrum during the first hours after birth. If the dam is colostrum deficient, you must use a colostrum replacer. The best colostrum replacer is colostrum saved (and frozen) from does on your property who have already kidded. This colostrum will have antibodies that provide the kids needed immunity to the organisms existing in your particular location. If you don't have a supply of frozen colostrum, then you must use a commercially-made  goat colostrum replacer (NOT  "supplement"). Do not use colostrum or colostrum replacer beyond the first 48 hours of the kid's life. Switch to goat milk or goat milk replacer. Do not use cow's milk; it is too low in butterfat.   Colostrum has already done its job for the newborn after 48 hours and the kid's body can better digest goat milk.

CoRid (amprollium) - Over-the-counter product for preventing and treating coccidiosis. Comes in granular packets and gallon liquid. This product is a thiamine inhibitor, so I prefer    other coccidia medications.   When using CoRid,  also dose with thiamine  (Vitamin B1)   at 4 cc per 100 lbs bodyweight given IM or SQ.      Albon or its generic equivalent Sulfadimethoxine 12.5% (Dimethox 12.5%) is preferred over CoRid. If you must use CoRid, buy the gallon liquid and maintain better control over dosages. Follow package directions. Treatment dosage: Mix 1 oz CoRid in 5 oz. water and orally drench the sick goats twice a day for five consecutive days; kids should receive 20-40 cc of this mixture twice a day, while adults should receive 40-80 cc. This is a higher-than-label dosage but is what it takes to control coccidia in goats. For prevention of coccidia, use 2 oz. per 15 gallons of water; for treatment, use 3 oz. CoRid per 15 gallons of water. Limit the goats' water supply to one source and treat for five consecutive days.   Daily individual dosing into each goat's mouth is much better than using in water.

Dewormers, Feed-based - Feed-based dewormers are usually not effective. Dewormers are dosed based on the goat's bodyweight; there is no accurate way to do this with feed-based dewormers.    The goat needing the dewormer the worst will also be the least aggressive goat who will get less feed, therefore a lower dosage of the feed-based dewormer. Unless you can control the precise amount of feed that each goat receives, I recommend against using feed-based dewormers.

Dewormers - There are multiple classes of dewormers. Some still kill stomach worms; many are no longer effective. Generally speaking, the white-colored dewormers (Safeguard/Panacur and Valbazen) no longer kill stomach worms in most if not all  of the USA. All dewormers should be given ORALLY,  regardless of package directions. See my article on Deworming & Vaccination Schedules on the Articles page at www.tennesseemeatgoats.com.

Dexamethasone - Vet prescription. Cortico-steroid. Use sparingly and under the direction of a vet. Dex can have bad side effects. Used for swelling and inflammation after infection is under control. Do not use if broken bones exist; Dex interferes with bone repair. Do not use on pregnant does unless you are trying to induce labor. Used to induce labor in pregnant does when the slow introduction of labor over a 48-to-72 hour period is desired (pregnancy diseases like Pregnancy Toxemia & Ketosis). Dex interferes with the functioning of the goat's immune system. Usage of this drug must be tapered off slowly.  Reducing the dosage each day for five consecutive days is normal procedure. Dosage varies depending upon the problem being treated.

Dextrose Solution (50%) - This over-the-counter  product in a bottle is used orally with weak newborns by slowly dropping one or two cc in the mouth and under the tongue for quick energy. Can be mixed half and half with water and offered short-term to weak goats or kids who are either having trouble digesting milk or have overeaten on milk (Floppy Kid Syndrome) and need to be taken off milk for several days until the toxicity caused by undigested milk has been successfully treated.

Diatomaceous Earth (DE) - Although this product is being used by some producers as a "natural" dewormer, DE does NOT  kill internal parasites (worms).  Every controlled test done to determine efficacy of this product in killing internal parasites (worms) in goats has failed. It is somewhat effective on external parasites like flies. If  you  choose  to use DE as a food additive, make certain that "food-grade" DE is purchased and use DE in conjunction with an ethical (commercially-produced) deworming product.   There is no such thing as an effective  "natural dewormer" for goats.

Dopram V - Vet prescription.  Eliminates respiratory distress in newborns caused by troubled births, including C-sections. Drop 2/10 cc under kid's tongue immediately upon birth to stimulate lung activity. Also use on "pulled" kids since the normal squeezing of the body during the delivery process is altered.  This is a must-have medication at Onion Creek Ranch.

Draxxin (tulothromycin) - Vet prescription. Injectable respiratory antibiotic. Very expensive product that purports to be a one-time-only usage antibiotic. Because goats have the fastest metabolism of all ruminants except deer, they need to be dosed daily for five consecutive days. Nuflor Gold and Excenel RTU given for five days work and are far less expensive.

Dyne - Over-the-counter oral high-calorie food supplement for animals off feed or needing quick energy. Must-have product.

Electrolytes, Oral (Bounce Back, ReSorb, or equivalent) Over-the-counter products packaged in powdered form. For rehydrating sick animals, regardless of age. Can be used as an oral drench, put into baby bottles for kids to suck, or mixed in drinking water. Can be used in conjunction with Lactated Ringers Solution on dehydrated kids or adults. Store in a cool, dry place. Never be without this product.

Entrolyte- This terrific product was pulled by Pfizer in January 2008 and will never come back on the market. It was an over-the-counter oral nutrient product for both rehydrating and providing nutrition to ruminants that were not ruminating or off-feed. Contained 13.4% protein in addition to electrolytes. No comparable replacement product is on the market, to my knowledge. Best alternative: Mix a package of electrolytes ( Bounce Back or ReSorb) and use  sufficient  powered milk replacer to make an 8 oz bottle and combine with electrolytes.

Epinephrine - Vet prescription. Used to treat Shock. Always have it on hand when giving injections. Shock must be treated within seconds or the goat will die. Dosage is 1 cc IM per 100 pounds body weight.

Excenel RTU - Prescription injectable antibiotic. Ready-to-use equivalent of Naxcel. Effective against respiratory and urinary tract infections. Dose daily at 6 cc per 100 lbs bodyweight. Day One: dose twice 12 hours apart. Days 2 through 5: dose once daily. Give IM.

Ferrodex iron injectable - Over-the-counter Injectable iron supplement for treating anemia. Interchangeable with oral Red Cell.   I prefer dosing   Red Cell orally.

Fleet's Enema or generic equivalent - Over-the-counter product that is useful for constipation and toxicity reactions to clean out the intestinal tract. If a doeling is born with her vagina turned inside out, use part of a children's Fleet's enema to move her bowels for the first time ("pass her plug") and the vagina will return to its proper position. Make sure to put the enema into the rectal opening -- not the vagina.

Formalin (10% buffered formaldehyde) - Classified as a disinfectant, this product works well when injected into CL abscesses and also is very effective in treating hoof rot/hoof scald.  Since the CL vaccine for goats was pulled from the market in May 2021, you may want to use 10% buffered Formalin as a management tool to control these abscesses.  I have a detailed article on how to use this product on the Articles page at www.tennesseemeatgoats.com.   A An effective alternative to using Formalin is to lance  and  clean out the abscess and flush with iodine.    Abscesses other than CL should NOT  be injected with Formalin but instead should be lanced and cleaned out.   Have Bob Glass of Pan American Vet Lab (512-964-3927) test the pus before using Formalin.

Fortified Vitamin B Complex - Over-the-counter product. This product can be used instead of Thiamine since it has 100 mg/ml thiamine in it. Products without "fortified" in the label have inadequate levels of thiamine.     All B vitamin are water soluble; a healthy rumen produces B vitamins daily. Dosage is 4 cc per 100 pounds bodyweight.

Gentamycin Sulfate - Injectable prescription antibiotic. Not authorized for use in all jurisdictions in food animals.  Your vet can authorize its usage.   Works extremely well when used in conjunction with penicillin in the treatment of post-birthing infections and other bacterial infections. Mixed in equal parts with Dexamethazone and Sterile Water, the resulting product is a very effective eye spray for treating Pinkeye. Do not use on ulcerated eyes.

Gentosin Spray - Topical prescription spray useful in treating Pinkeye in non-ulcerated eyes. See Gentamycin Sulfate for details.

Goat NutriDrench - Oral quick energy supplement for stressed and/or off-feed goats. Contains many of the vitamins, minerals, and nutrients that a sick goat requires to survive its illness. Mixes well with propylene glycol or mineral oil for flavored dosing.

Granulex - Topical spray for removing dead & dying skin.  Vet prescription.

Hoof Rot vacccines - Volar & Fusoguard are hoof-rot prevention vaccines for other species.   Goat producers have told me that these vaccines don't work well with goats.

Immodium AD - Do not   use this anti-diarrheal with goats. It can stop the peristaltic action of the gut, causing  death.

Ivomec 1% injectable dewormer or generic equivalent Invermectin - Over-the-counter product for eliminating stomach worms. This clear liquid works best if used orally at a rate of 1 cc per 20 pounds body weight. Do not under-dose. Store at cool temperature and keep out of sunlight.   Also used in treatment of Meningeal Deerworm Infection. Clear dewormers do not kill tapeworms. Ivermectin 1% is one of several dewormers used to kill stomach worms. All dewormers should be given orally to goats.   Before deworming, DO FECAL COUNTS FIRST.

LA 200, Maxim 200, Biomycin (oxytetracyline 200 mg/ml) - Prescription  broad-spectrum antibiotic.  Soon to be prescription.   Thick (use an 18 gauge needle and give SQ over the ribs) and may sting. Oxytretracycline 200 mg/ml must be used to treat abortion "storms." No vaccines are available to treat abortion diseases and no off-label vaccines are effective in preventing abortion diseases in goats.  The sheep vaccine for abortions does NOT work with goats.   Oxytetracycline 200 mg/ml is the goat producer's only choice. Also used to treat Pinkeye, even in pregnant does, as an abortion organism can cause one strain of Pinkeye. Used both injectably and topically (in non-ulcerated eyes) for Pinkeye. Sometimes effective in treating hoof rot/hoof scald infections. Use 1 cc per 20 lbs. body weight SQ daily for a minimum of five consecutive days. The non-sting version of oxytetracycline 200 mg/ml is called Biomycin. Oxytetracycline 200 mg/ml is sold under several brand names; check the content label for correct 200 mg/ml strength. Turns a dark red when opened and air enters the bottle, but if kept under controlled climatic conditions and used before the expiration date, it should work fine.  There are versions that are 300 mg/ml and labeled as single-use.  Don't believe it.  Always use antibiotics for five consecutive days with goats.

Lactated Ringers Solution - Vet prescription. For rehydrating kids and young goats. Comes in IV bag but use SQ. Using a 60 cc syringe with an 18 gauge needle attached, draw up LRS, warm in a pot of water, check temperature as you would a bottle of milk for proper heat, and inject 30 cc under the skin (SQ) at each shoulder to treat hypothermic newborns.   Can be used several times a day until the goat's electrolytes are in balance. Will be absorbed by the goat's body very quickly if dehydration is present. Can be used in conjunction with oral electrolytes (BounceBack/ReSorb). Refrigerate  when storing or strange things will grow inside the bag. A must-have product.

Lime sulphur dip 97.8%.  Used topically for mites and staph infections on the skin.

Lutalyse -- Prescription injectable. Used to cycle does into heat or induce abortion in doe bred you didn't want bred.   Give 2 cc on the seventh (7th) day after observed breeding. Do NOT  repeat.

Marquis - See Toltrazuril for cost-effective alternative for Coccidiosis.

Masti-Clear - Procaine-penicillin-based teat infusion for lactating does to treat mastitis. Vet prescription.   All teat infusions for mastitis are vet script as of June 2023.

Metronidazole.  Brand name Flagyl.  Antibiotic for treating Giardia in goats.  Prescription.

Micotil - Never  use Micotil on goats. Cattle antibiotic causes quick heart attack and death.

Milk of Magnesia -- Over-the-counter laxative product that is useful for constipation and toxicity reactions (to move toxic materials from the body), including bloat, ruminal acidosis, overeating disease, and Floppy Kid Syndrome in conjunction with other necessary medications.  Use as oral drench at a rate of 15 cc per 60 lbs. body weight every four to six hours until the feces goes from normal to clumpy then back to normal 'pills.' Always keep the animal hydrated with electrolytes (BounceBack/ReSorb or equivalent) when using Milk of Magnesia or other laxatives. Useful with mastitis by increasing magnesium levels in goat's body. Keep Milk of Magnesia   on hand at all times.

Multi Min 90- Vet prescription. Cobalt-blue colored injectable liquid that must be used sparingly in goats suffering from severe mineral deficiencies. Chelated (slow release) combination of  zinc, manganese, selenium, and copper.   Helps with weak labor contractions. Overdosing is easy; this medication builds up in fatty tissues.  Very helpful to older goats whose bodies are not processing minerals as well as they used to do.  Dose SQ only.

Mineral Oil - Over-the-counter laxative product. Because mineral oil has no taste, the goat does not recognize mineral oil as a substance to be swallowed and can aspirate it into the lungs. MUST  be stomach tubed. If stomach tube is not available, mix mineral oil with Goat Nutridrench or  Karo syrup to add flavor  and slowly orally drench the goat.

Molasses/Karo Syrup - Use orally with kids when quick energy is needed. See my article on Weak Kids on www.tennesseemeatgoats.com on the Articles page.   Can be substituted for propylene glycol with ketotic does.

Kopertox - Over-the-counter product for hoof rot and hoof scald. Blue-green liquid for topical application as a "liquid bandage." Use with Oxytetracycline 200 mg/ml injections.

Nasalgen IP - Intra-nasal vaccine of short duration.  Use to prevent shipping fever.

Naxcel (ceftiofur sodium) - Vet prescription. Broad-spectrum antibiotic used for respiratory illnesses (pneumonia). Comes in two bottles: One bottle contains a powder which must be kept refrigerated even in powder form, and the other bottle is sterile water. When the two are mixed, they keep for only seven days. Draw syringes in dosages of 1/2 cc, 1 cc, 2 cc, and 3 cc, put needle caps on them, place the filled syringes in a ziplock bag, label and date it, and put the bag in the freezer. Syringes thaw quickly, but hold the needle cap upright, because the medication will settle into the needle cap and will be lost when the needle cap is removed.

Newborn kids with respiratory distress or E.Coli infections need a minimum dosage IM of 1/2 cc daily for five consecutive days. A 100 pound goat needs at least 5-6 cc of Naxcel IM over the five-day course of treatment. I no longer use Naxcel but instead use Excenel RTU, the ready-to-use shelf-stable equivalent product that doesn't require refrigeration or mixing.

Neomycin Sulfate - Vet prescription.   Sulfa-based antibiotic for use  with scouring kids and adults when Coccidiosis is not  the underlying illness. Works effectively against E.Coli and other digestive-system bacterial infections. For kids, give 3 cc orally every 12 hours until diarrhea has stopped and feces is normal. For adult goats, use 5 cc to 10 cc orally and as directed for usage in kids. Do not overdose; constipation can result. Do not stop diarrhea until you know its cause. Sometimes diarrhea is the body's way of eliminating toxins.

Niacin (Vitamin B3) - Give 1000 mg daily orally (crushed and dissolved) to does having weak labor contractions until kidding occurs.  Vet prescription.

Nolvasan - Bolus used inside uterus after difficult delivery to prevent metritis or vaginitis.

Nuflor Gold (florfenicol) - Vet prescription. My preferred antibiotic for respiratory problems, including pneumonia. Can also be used try to keep mastitis from becoming systemic. I tend to use Nuflor on adults and Excenel RTU on kids, but they are interchangeable. This is a thick liquid, so use Luer Lock syringes, or the needle may blow off the syringe. Dosage is 6 cc per 100 lbs bodyweight given IM for five consecutive days; sick newborn and very young kids should receive no less than 1/2 cc.

Nu-Stock  ( Pierce's All Purpose Nu-Stock - apparently also called Riggin's All Purpose Nu-Stock) - Over-the-counter topical ointment  of sulfur, pine oil, and mineral oil  in 12 oz tube. Great for treating mites, lice, mange, wounds, cuts, ringworm, hot spots caused by fleas.  Sulfa based. Steroid free.  MUST keep on hand.

Oxytocin - Vet prescription. Used when a doe has not passed her afterbirth within 24-36 hours of kidding. Dosage is 1-1/2 cc per 100 lbs. body weight.

Penicillin, Benzathine (long-acting penicillin) - Prescription antibiotic. Has been overused and is often no longer effective. Dosage is 5 cc per 100 lbs. body weight IM for five consecutive days. Must be refrigerated. Do NOT use this type of penicillin if Listeriosis or Goat Polio is suspected. I don't keep this penicillin in stock any longer.

Penicillin, Procaine (300,000 IU) -   Prescription required.   Procaine Penicillin must be used in double the normal dosage  in conjunction with Thiamine (Vitamin B1) in the treatment of Listeriosis and Goat Polio. At normal 5 cc per 100 lb dosing, it is also  used to treat infection resulting from injuries, bites, and after difficult birthings.   Must be refrigerated. Always have lots of this product on hand.

Peppermint Oil Cream (Cai-Pan) - Topical application for congested and/or mastitic udders.

Pepto Bismol (pink bismuth) - Over-the-counter product to help with irritation/distress caused by diarrhea in both kids and adults.     Before using Pepto-Bismol when diarrhea is present, first determine the cause of the problem.  Diarrhea is a symptom of many problems, not an illness in itself; its presence can be helpful in instances like overeating disease.  Use up to 2 cc every four to six hours for newborns; 5 cc for kids approaching one month old; as much as 10 to 15 cc for adults. See my article on Diarrhea on the Articles page of www.tennesseemeatgoats.com.

Pirsue - Vet prescription mastitis medication. Expensive but excellent product.

Pneumonia Vaccines: Presponse HM and Poly Bac Somnus - Both vaccines are newer than and provide better protection against pneumonia than the Colorado Serum product mentioned below; they are also more expensive. I use Presponse HM and the dosage is 1 cc for goats under 60 lbs and 2 cc for goats over 60 lbs, with a two injections  21  to 30 days apart the first time and annually thereafter. The extra cost is reduced by the lesser amount of vaccine needed for the 60 lb & under goats. If pneumonia is a problem in your herd, use these newer products.

Pneumonia Vaccine (Mannheimia Haemolytica Pasteurella Multocide Bacterin) - Over-the-counter injectable pneumonia vaccine by Colorado Serum. This is a very old vaccine made for goats but it isn't very effective.   Requires two initial injections of 2 cc each 30 days apart for all young goats and any new purchases brought onto the property regardless of age, then booster annually thereafter. Give first injection in conjunction with first deworming and first CD/T vaccination. Repeat 30 days later then annually thereafter. Dosage is 2 cc for all goats, regardless of age, sex, weight, or breed.

Polyserum or Bovi Sera - Over-the-counter injectable immune system boosters. Give SQ. Use with any ill or unthrifty goat. Give to young kids that did not receive adequate colostrum.

Primor (Sulfadimethoxine & Ormetoprim in 5:1 ratio)- Vet prescription. Oral sulfa-based antibiotic. Tablets sized by weight of animal for gut-related infections, including Coccidiosis. Tablets are scored by animal weight for easy dosing. Primor 120 is for 5-15 lb goats; Primor 240, 10-30 lb goats; Primor 600, 25-50 lb goats; and Primor 1200, 50-100 lb goats. Give two times the appropriate weight's dosage the first day, and then dose to the goat's weight for the next 9 consecutive days.

Probiotics, Oral - Over-the-counter oral ruminant gel which should be used AFTER  the completion of antibiotic therapy, treatment for diarrhea (scours), and daily when goats are in shipment. Helps lessen stress and settle the stomach. Keep refrigerated in warm climates.

Proplyene Glycol - Over-the-counter liquid for ketosis in does. Provides quick energy. Comes in one-gallon jugs. Use 50-60 cc orally very slowly twice a day for an average-sized adult doe until she begins eating. Mix with Goat Nutri Drench or Karo syrup  so the goat can taste it and know to swallow. If this product is not available, use molasses or Karo syrup. Freezes at temperatures well above 32*F, so store indoors under controlled temperature.

Re-Covr (tripelennamine hydrochloride) -   Injectable antihistamine for toxicity problems. Vet prescription.

Red Cell - Over-the-counter Yucca flavored oral iron supplement.   Dosage is 4 cc orally given daily for at least 30 days. Use in treating anemia to rebuild red blood cells along with Vitamin B12 injections.

Resflor Gold - Prescription antibiotic that contains some  Banamine.  Resflor Gold supposedly has a long-acting effect, reducing required number of injections.    However, goats MUST have antibiotics daily for 5 consecutive days because of fast metabolism.  Use Nuflor Gold instead and add Banamine if fever is present.

Robitussin DM  -  Over-the-counter oral liquid medication  for humans that  helps with chest congestion, even when caused by onset pneumonia, with goats.  Use  in conjunction with appropriate injectable antibiotic like Nuflor Gold or Excenel RTU if fever or inflammation is present.

Safeguard (Panacur) dewormer - White-colored dewormer. No longer kills stomach worms in most of USA. Kills  tapeworms. Used to treat Meningeal Deerworm infection.

Spectoguard ScourChek (spectinomycin) - Prescription  sulfa-based antibiotic product is used to control diarrhea in kids. Usage with adult goats may stop the peristaltic action of the gut. Follow label directions when dosing this pinkish-red liquid into the goat's mouth.  Do NOT stop scouring until you figure out the cause;  diarrhea can be  helpful in eliminating toxins.

Sterile Water - Vet prescription. Used in mixing medications.

Sulfadimethoxazine with Trimethoprim (SMZ) - Sulfa-based oral prescription antibiotic. Available in liquid and tablets. I use liquid SMZ with kids and the big easily-dissolved tablets with adults.   Tablet dosage is 1 tablet per 20 lbs bodyweight (5 tablets per 100 lbs).  Use to treat watery diarrhea and other gut-related illnesses. Used with Baytril 100, SMZ is synergistic (better than by itself) in treating E Coli and other difficult to cure infections. Excellent product.  MUST HAVE  in stock in your medicine chest.

Synergized DeLice or generic equivalent - Over-the-counter product. This permethrin-based oily liquid should be applied topically along the backbone from base of neck to base of tail. This back drench works on goats because external parasites are the target; back drenches don't work for treating internal parasites like stomach worms and in fact are dangerous to goat health.

Follow the directions carefully, and do not use on kids under 3 months of age and pregnant does. Topical back drench dosage should never exceed 3 ounces on the biggest and heaviest of goats. I recycle a permanent wave squeeze bottle with applicator tip to apply this product. The bottle tip is just the right size.

For kids under three months of age and pregnant does, use a kitten-safe or puppy-safe powdered flea control product or carefully apply 5% Sevin dust. These products contain pyrethrins, which are much safer for very young animals. Cylence is a comparable topical product used to kill lice on adult goats.

Tagamet  (cimetidine)  - Over-the-counter product for gut-related pain resulting from illnesses like coccidiosis. Dosage is one half of a Tagamet HR200 (200 mg) for 3-5 days.

Terramycin - Vet prescription.   Ophthalmic ointment used to treat Pinkeye, particularly in ulcerated eyes, Entropion, and other eye problems.

Tetanus Anti-toxin- Over-the-counter product for immediate and short-term protection against tetanus (lockjaw) when the problem exists. Tetanus is fatal if not promptly treated. Comes in single-dose 1500 unit vials; use the entire 1500 unit vial IM for adults; use half the 1500 unit vial for kids. No sooner than five days after this medication is last used, you must re-vaccinate with tetanus toxoid or CD/T (the complete two-injection series given 30 days apart) to reinstate long-term protection. Keep refrigerated.

Theo-Dur (theophylline) - Vet prescription. Used to clear air passages when bronchitis exists. Precise dosage is not known for goats, but I have, under vet direction and supervision, used 1/2 tablet per day on a 15-20 pound kid. Theo-Dur suppresses the appetite; you  must make sure that the animal is kept hydrated.

Thiamine (Vitamin B1) - Vet prescription.   Strength must be 100 mg/ml.   Used with any goat that is off-feed. Also used to treat goat polio and listeriosis. Use daily with all antibiotic therapies.  Dosage is 4 cc per 100 pounds bodyweight up to three times per day IM, or SQ.

Thrush Buster - Topical product to treat and prevent hoof scald (between toes).

ToDay (cephapirin sodium)- Prescription teat infusion  product for mastitis treatment in lactating does. Milk out the udder and infuse one tube of To-Day into each teat for three to five consecutive days. Use the alcohol wipe provided to clean the teat thoroughly before infusing medication to avoid introducing new bacteria into an already-infected udder.

Toltrazuril - This is a close "relative" of the  expensive Marquis and Baycox for treating Coccidiosis. I have never used it but am told but  goat producers that they find  it very  effective, dosing one time at one cc per five pounds body weight.   It is a one-time oral dosage of 1 cc per 5 lbs bodyweight preventative and 1 cc per 3 lbs bodyweight curative treatment.    OTC product available at www.horseprerace.com.

ToMorrow (cephapirin benzathine)- Prescription teat infusion  for mastitis in dry does.

Triple Antibiotic Opthalmic Ointment - Vet prescription. Use topically to treat Pinkeye, particularly in ulcerated eyes.

Tylan 200 (tylosin) -Prescription  antibiotic of the erythromycin family of drugs for respiratory problems. Use 1 cc per 25 lbs. body weight for five consecutive days intramuscularly (IM).  The prescription products Nuflor Gold and Excenel RTU are far more effective with goats.

Universal Animal Antidote Gel - Over the counter.  Give orally when toxicity is suspected.

Valbazen - Over-the-counter white-colored dewormer. Can cause abortions in pregnant does if used in first trimester of pregnancy. For safety, never use on pregnant does. Kills tapeworms; does NOT kill stomach worms in most venues.  Dosage is 1 cc per 25 lbs. bodyweight given orally.

Vitamin B1 (thiamin) - Vet prescription. See Thiamin for uses and dosages.

Vitamin B-12 - Vet prescription. This red-colored injectable liquid is MUST HAVE  for anemic goats.    Stimulates appetite. Administer 4 cc per 100 lbs. body weight IM.

Wound Care Clay - Terrific over-the-counter product used to protect wounds.  Molds to fit animal's body.  Curicyn is one of several brands.   Available in jars and individual packets.

All medications should be stored inside in a temperature-controlled environment away from sunlight.   Some medications also require refrigeration.

This listing is not comprehensive, but is a good overview of medications available for goat health problems. I am NOT a vet. I do NOT encourage anyone to use these products and/or dosages without supervision and direction of a qualified goat veterinarian. I encourage goat producers to find a qualified goat vet and develop a working relationship with that professional.

This is what has worked for me with my goats. Many variables can affect the usefulness of this information, some of which may include breed, sex, age, nutritional and reproductive status of the goat, climatic conditions and general cleanliness under which the goats live, knowledge and skills possessed by the goat producer, and a host of other items. Consider this listing to be a guide.   Remember, what works for me may NOT work for you in your goat-production operation.

Suzanne W. Gasparotto, ONION CREEK RANCH, Texas Revised   5.1.23