Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
A whole range of vaccines is available for goats, but some are expensive and not all of them
are necessary. Follow the recommendations of your veterinarian, local agricultural extension
office, and other local goat owners regarding vaccinations against diseases that are threats in
your area.
Goats everywhere should be vaccinated against tetanus and enterotoxemia (overeating dis-
ease) once a year. These vaccinations are available as a combination in a single vaccine. All
your goats should receive an initial vaccination followed by a booster three to four weeks later
and an annual vaccination after that. Pregnant goats should receive their annual vaccination
one month before they give birth. Kids should be given their initial vaccination when they are
one to two months old, followed by the booster three to four weeks later. Goats that are fed
large amounts of concentrated feed may need to be vaccinated every six months because they
are more susceptible to enterotoxemia.
HOW TO GIVE AN INJECTION TO A GOAT
You quickly can learn to administer routine vaccinations yourself. Use a clean, new syringe
for each session and a clean needle for each goat. Use sharp 16- and 18-gauge needles in
½-,
5
/
8
-, or ¾-inch lengths. Shorter needles are used for subcutaneous injections.
Swirl (do not shake) the vaccine bottle to mix the contents. Pull back the plunger of the syr-
inge a little further than the dose you plan to inject. Holding the vaccine bottle upside down,
poke the needle through the rubber. Depress the plunger to inject air into the bottle. Pull the
plunger back a little farther than the required dose, and then gently squeeze the excess back
into the bottle to get rid of air bubbles. Always use a new needle to draw vaccine from a
bottle to avoid contaminating its contents.
Subcutaneous (under the skin) injections:
Most vaccines are given subcutaneously in the
neck, over the ribs or in the hairless area of the armpit. Choose an area of clean, dry skin,
and swab it with alcohol. Pinch the skin and lift up a little “tent” then slide the needle in, and
slowly depress the plunger. Withdraw the needle and rub the area to distribute the vaccine.
Intramuscular injections:
Some antibiotics are given as intramuscular injections, usually
into the muscle at the side of the neck. Have someone restrain the goat, and quickly and
smoothly plunge the needle deep into the muscle. Pull back on the plunger about ¼ inch. If
you see blood, you have penetrated a vein and must withdraw the needle and try again. De-
press the plunger slowly and withdraw the needle.
First aid for wounds
