Posted by Vicki McGaugh on January 16, 2001 at 18:29:01:
In Reply to: Use of Gentamicin posted by GoatWorld on January 16, 2001 at 15:53:44:
A big atta girl for Tracy!
My biggest concern is the over the top medicating that so many new folks are doing. In 15 years I have used Naxcel twice, once on a doe with navel ill, and once on a doe with menengial worm, since she was down we didn't want respiratory problems. If you start of using the big guns, Naxcel, Banamine, gentamicin, Cydectin wormer, Dexamethazone etc. what on earth are you going to be able to use when you start showing resistance? The refridgerator method of management (grab anything and everything you have and treat the doe) is rarely the best.
A simple milk sample is about 3$ in the mail and $7 to 15$ to the lab, you can bypass the vet fees by sending it in yourself to Texas A&M. Then if your infusions and penicillin doesn't work, the results will be in from the lab, complete with the drugs they recommend you use to kill the specific mastitis. If you use Naxcel for every snotty nose, what are you going to grab for that really bad case of bacterial pnemonia? A good working relationship with a vet is so important. Some vets will have to learn along with their clients, I know mine did, but after 15 years of putting up with me, and now with real money to be had in the Boer goats, I know my vet is great!
This was mentioned today on another board, but in your medicine chest for your goats really should be your vets phone number, and if you have a stethascope in their, your vet should be connected to the other end 99% of the time! Vicki