Drench is a term used for an oral medication.Goats are susceptible to internal parasites, so knowing how to keep them healthy is important.It's fairly simple to drench your goat once you know what type of medicine to get, how to measure a dosage, and what to do with the drench.
Step 1: Purchase it as recommended by your doctor.
Broad spectrum and narrow spectrum are the main types of drench medicine.The narrow spectrum drenches are perfect for goats that have been professionally diagnosed.Broad spectrum drenches are a good option when you don't know what's causing the problem.Valbazen, SafeGuard, Ivomec, Cydectin, Prohibit, and Rumatel are some deworming drenches.You can find them at pet stores.Check the label to make sure that the drench is safe for goats.Drenches can be white, clear, and mectin.If your goat builds up an immunity, switch which subtype you use every 12 months.
Step 2: You can weigh your goat with a bathroom scale.
You need to know the weight of your goat in order to calculate the proper drench dosage.Pick up your goat and step on the scale again to find this.The weight of the goat is different between the first and second measurement.If the animal is too heavy to be lifted, weigh it using a commercial scale.Ask if the feed store has a scale that you can use to get an accurate weight.The goats should be separated into sections based on their size.The goats should be weighed in each group.The average weight per section is the basis for determining the drench dosage.
Step 3: Your goat's weight should be used to calculate a proper drench dosage.
To find out how much medicine is recommended for goats that weigh the same as yours, read the label on the container.If you want to calculate the dosage, you need to take the recommendations immediately above and below your goat's weight.Don't give your goat too much drench, it can poison it.If your container has more than one set of recommendations, make sure to follow the ones for goats.
Step 4: Take the gun and test it.
To make sure your gun delivers the recommended dose, Calibrate it.The gun has a central chamber and a graduated cylinder.To make sure the amount is correct, check the cylinder.If the recommended dosage is higher than your gun's maximum dose setting, you should pick an option that divides into it.If your goat needs 20 liters of drench, you can give it 2 doses of 10 liters.Check your gun's user manual for model specific information as every gun has a different calibration process.If you need to shake it before you use it, check the label on the container.
Step 5: Don't let your goat's head get too big.
To restrain a small, calm goat, approach it from behind and straddle its neck with your legs.This will give you a clear view of the animal's mouth.A second person is needed to hold the goat's head steady.Lift your goat's head by 1 or 2 in while you restrain it.It will be easier for the goat to swallow the medicine.The barn or a pen is a place that your goat can't escape from.You could try backing it into the corner to keep it out of the way.The risk of getting bit is minimized if you keep your fingers away from the goat's mouth.
Step 6: The gun should be put into the goat's mouth.
Push the nozzle of the gun into the goat's mouth.To get the best results, position the nozzle so that it rests over the animal's tongue and points at its throat.Don't put the nozzle through the goat's front teeth as drench guns are not designed for that position.
Step 7: To deliver the water, squeeze the gun.
To deliver the medicine, slowly squeeze the gun.The recommended dose should be administered several times.Don't push the nozzle into the goat's throat while delivering the dose.It can lead to mouth cuts, broken teeth, and lung issues.The medicine is more likely to be swallowed if the goat's head is raised slightly.Let the goat go if it struggles.
Step 8: After the goat swallows the drench, release it.
When your goat swallows the entire dose of drench, hold it steady.Remove the gun and let the goat go.The animal will most likely spit it out if you don't wait for the goat to swallow it.The animal will not have received the full dose if it spits, coughs or vomits.Check the product label to see if you can give a partial dose.
Step 9: Put away your drench supplies if you want to clean your gun.
If you want to keep unused medicine out of the sun, store it in a safe room away from direct sunlight.Put your gun in a sanitary area after you clean it with warm water.Store your medicine at a temperature between 39 and 77 F.
Step 10: After your goat has been treated, Quarantine it for a couple of days.
If you have enough space, keep your goat away from other goats and sheep.The risk of re-contamination is minimized by doing this for 1 to 2 days after treatment.If you don't have a yard or pasture to use, keep your goat in a private pen.
Step 11: Do you know if the goat's milk is safe to drink?
The milk of a goat is unsuitable for humans due to the tainting of the medications.If this is the case and how long you must wait before consuming goat's milk, check your container.You may have to wait for up to 28 days for some drenches.
Step 12: Your goat's fecal matter needs to be tested after 10 days.
Wait 10 to 14 days for the medicine to take effect after you drench your goat.Put on a lubricated glove, insert your pointer and middle finger into the goat's rectum, and remove a stool sample.Once you have the sample, peel off your glove with the fecal matter still inside, tie off the glove, and store it in an ice chest until you can deliver it to your vet.The stool sample should be collected after the animal deposits it.
Step 13: If you don't see any improvement, repeat the treatment process.
The stool sample will be checked by your doctor.If you don't see a significant decrease in worms or other parasites, you'll need to repeat the treatment with a new type of drench.There will be few or no parasites in the sample if the drench was effective.Pick a product that has a different type of substance than the original one.You can use this to get around any immunities your goat has built up.