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This is not meant to be a substitution for professional help, be sure to consult your vet! Have you vet show you
how to give a sub-q and IM injection.
1. Make sure you need the product before you buy it. This may seem obvious but I hear of a lot of people who
hear of a vaccine for something, run out and buy it, and then learn it’s not a good idea to give it to their goats. An
example of this is the vaccine for CL. Its labeled and tested for sheep. It can cause major site reactions in goats, the
effectiveness is uncertain, and once you vaccinate-your goats will always test positive for CL.
2. If possible, buy a product made and labeled for goats. Know what it does and who it is safe for.
Safeguard is a great example, for the longest time they did not make a goat formula. We had to buy the tubes of it made
for horses which you would think would go pretty far for goats. Unfortunately the goat’s metabolism is so much higher
then a horse that we had to give large amounts of the wormer (once we finally figured out the dose) which was very
expensive. They now make a goat formula which makes it so much cheaper and easier to figure out a accurate dose.
Also-some products made for livestock are not safe for goats, read products carefully. Make sure you are not treating for
the same things. There are a lot of wormers out there, be sure you know what each one kills so you aren’t over-treating
for one type of worm while ignoring another. Rotate your wormer brands once a year or so to fight against drug-resistant
worms.
3. Read how it needs to be stored. Some drugs need to be refrigerated, kept from extreme heat and cold,
and/or kept out of sunlight.
4. See if it is given “as is” or needs to be reconstituted or diluted. Also check to see if it needs to be shaken.
5. Check the expiration date
6. Never combine drugs! Do not draw up 2 drugs at once. Do not reuse syringes or needles (without sterization).
Do not inject drugs so closely that they might mix.
7. Do not use the same needle and/or syringe on more then one animal. You are risking site-reaction at
best, transfer of disease is possible.
8. Make “Cheat” labels-often the dose won’t be spelled out for you on the label. I often stick my own label on the
back or write on the box dosing information so I don’t have to look it up every time.
9. Only buy what you need. If you have 2 goats, don’t buy a 50 ml bottle of Bo-Se that’s going to expire in a year!
See if the Vet will draw up individual doses with you or partner up with another goat ranch.
10. Keep good records Don’t rely on your memory. Document where you give shots too, so if a lump turns up,
you will know what its from. Check your goats in a couple of days for site reactions.
11. Always have epinephrine on hand! I’ve never had to use this with my goats, but it is always on hand and
everyone knows where its at, just in case. Be sure to check the expiration date on this too. I have seen a lot of mis-
information about this medication on the internet. First, this is not a vaccine. Another name for this med is adrenalin. An
injection of this med could save your goat’s life in the event of a allergic reaction to a vaccine. Check with your vet on
dosing. This medication can be absorbed through the skin so caution should be advised. A jump in heart rate and
feelings of panic can be brought about which could be dangerous if you have a heart condition. That said, I have spilled
epinephrine many times on my hands and have never noticed ill effects (We mix large quantities of it at work). Be very
careful once it’s in a syringe though-do not put it in your pocket!
12. Use good sterile technique. The inside of the vaccine bottle, the inside of the syringe, and the needle are all
sterile until you contaminate them. This is expecially important with multi-dose medications and vaccines. When drawing
up vaccines, swab the top of the bottle with alcohol and put a sterile 18 gauge needle into the top of the bottle. This is
your transfer needle and is not removed until you are done with drawing up all your syringes. This cuts down on the
chance on contamination of the bottle, as well as reduces coring of the top, dulling of your injection needle, and speeds
up the time it takes to draw up your meds (this is a big needle). Draw up your meds in a clean environment. I draw up
my meds in the house and label them with a sharpy pen. (Drug's name on the white plastic bottom and goat's name on
the side). Before attaching the syringe, draw up about as much air as you will be removing from the bottle. Inject this into
the bottle to keep too much of a vacuum from building up (this is why you shouldn't draw up your meds in the barn). As
you draw up each syringe, put on a smaller sterile needle such as a 25g. Be sure to expel all air from the syringe.
Before you inject the goat, put alcohol on the area. Since we are usually dealing with a lot of fiber, we part the fleece and
then use a squeeze bottle to administer rubbing alcohol to the spot. Whether you are doing sub-q or IM, be sure to
aspirate (draw back on the syringe) before you inject. If you see blood enter the syringe, stop and try another site. This
keeps you from injecting directly into a blood vessel which is very dangerous!
13. Dispose of your needles and syringes responsibly. It is against the law to throw away these items into the
regular garbage. Sharps containers are available at most feed stores or you may be able to have your vet dispose of
them for you.
14. Follow the 5 Right’s of giving medications: double check these while planning a treatment, and then again
right before giving it. Stop and think:
a. Right Goat (Who is this goat? Double check goat against your record to make sure you’ve got the right one for
the treatment. If your goats look alike, check their tattoo.)
b. Right Time (Is the goat due for this treatment, is there anything about the goat that would preclude it from
receiving treatment, such as pregnant goats should not receive certain wormers.)
c. Right Route (How is the drug supposed to be given? Oral? Sub-Q? IM?)
d. Right Medication (Double check the name of the med, while your at it double check the exp date and look at the
med. If its supposed to be clear and you see crystals-do not give it!)
e. Right dose. Check decimal points, whether its talking about cc or units…Know what med doses are dependant on
goat’s weight.
Nurses do this every time they give a medication (or are supposed to). This is supposed to decrease the frequency of
medication errors.
Just a quick note on herbs. I am a great fan of herbal medicine and believe some can do things that no med out there
can do. However, I hear too many times "oh its safe, its herbal." Herbs can be every bit as dangerous as regular
medications, many poisonous plants are used as medications in small quantities. Please be sure you research anything
you are thinking of giving and pay heed to what is listed as a safe dose.
This article was created by Erica Trainer, R.N.- BSN of Chimera Creek Ranch in 2005. All rights reserved. Please do
not reproduce without permission.