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Should Beginners Vaccinate Their Own Goats?

3K views 24 replies 15 participants last post by  O'Boy Goats 
#1 ·
I have a few goat vets in the area, but I am wondering if it would be more cost effective, and easier to vaccinate my own goats? Now I have never given anything an injection so this would be a completely new experience. How hard is it for someone who has never done it? Would you recommend a first time goat owner vaccinate there own goats?
 
#8 ·
it is very simple to do! You for sure want to know how to give shots not just with vaccines but with antibiotics if they get sick. I'm not sure what all vaccines You plan to give but the CDT doesn't seem to bother them at all and is a good one to learn to give. Unless they are serious cry babies about it they should just stand there, that's way better then some antibiotics that sting like crazy. I also vaccinate for CL and the vaccine is thick and they don't like it one bit!
 
#9 ·
it is very simple to do! You for sure want to know how to give shots not just with vaccines but with antibiotics if they get sick. I'm not sure what all vaccines You plan to give....
I'm still doing my research on which ones I want to give.
 
#10 ·
If Middle Earth is anywhere near Maine you can roll on over here and I'll teach you. ;-) Actually, if a vet won't teach you (my vet LOVES teaching me stuff!) then there may be goat folks around you who would take you under being and teach you.

Shots are not hard. My teens give them to the goats.
 
#12 ·
I have always given my animals their injections. It's not difficult. The main problem is when the process is 'over thought' and you become nervous. Just plough ahead and do it. Probably helped that I was a nurse. Hmm! Don't want to steal your post but if I remember I will tell you a funny story about a husband, a kangaroo and a huge needle. I'm still laughing...he's not.
 
#13 ·
Don't want to steal your post but if I remember I will tell you a funny story about a husband, a kangaroo and a huge needle. I'm still laughing...he's not.
No, I wouldn't mind hearing your story. I've read a lot of your post and have enjoyed your tales from the bush.:D
 
#15 ·
It can be a little difficult to do the first couple, but it get's very easy to do after awhile. I give mine CDT, Pneumonia, and CL. It is much cheaper to do it yourself, plus like mentioned, it's a good skill to know in emergencies.

Some act like you're killing them, I had one try to bite me this year (first for everything I guess), and other's just stand there and take it.

I agree, there's some very good Youtube videos on it.
 
#16 ·
It's honestly so easy. The first time I ever gave a shot I was terrified. Now I do all the shots for family and friends on goats, cats, dogs, and even chickens. I used to do the rabies vaccines on all the stray cats my mom takes in but can't do those anymore. It's funny because I am the only person I know allergic to penicillin but i get called to do those, too. Lol
 
#17 ·
We have faith in you, that you can do it.

Me being a professional now, I do mess up on shots here and there. It doesn't help when you are all alone and have a goat tied up and squirming around, when you are trying to give that shot.
I have needles bend, so I have to go get another one. Or prick myself with the needle, ouch. To going all the way through the skin. Drats~!

I was really scared at first, it was my dear husband who was giving the shots for a long time. He said now is the time for you to learn, I said, no~! But I did, and yeah, I made mistakes going all the way through the skin and giving the ground it's first CD&T shot, LOL. I also poked my finger with the needle, Ouch again.

Do know, as the needle is inserted under the goats skin, gently feel where the needle is in there. Be sure it is not all the way through the skin. Also pull back on the syringe and check for blood with any kind of shot, in the syringe, if you see blood, remove it and find another spot. Also when you pull back on the syringe if you are in there correctly, it will not be as easy pulling back onto it.
If it is too easy, you are all the way through the skin.
Here is a good link:
https://video.search.yahoo.com/yhs/...=21f1676674bd9c170869aad3c3474a86&action=view
 
#18 ·
Well Mellonfriend, Kangaroos sometimes get bloat like goats and need vet care to alleviate the pain. Like all animals, injections are easy when they are really ill but as they start feeling better, it's harder to hold them and inject at the same time because they know what's about to happen and hop off. I had my husband holding our big guy, he stands behind the roo with his calves holding the roo's legs firmly together, then he holds each of his little arms in his hands and crosses them in front of the roo and then hunches over the top of him. They are very strong animals. I could just lift his tail off the ground a few inches and he's going nowhere but can't risk breaking a needle in him. I stood behind them both, with the injection ready to go into his rump, roo not hubby, and when hubby says go.. I inject. You only get one shot to get it right. I plunged the needle in on hubbies command only to see his face in the mirror in front of us. It was sheer pain and shock. In my panic to get it right I had stuck the needle through the skin on his calve and knowing I only had one go at this I decided to just keep going into the roo's rump.
 
#25 · (Edited)
I also do vaccinations myself. It's scary at first but you can do it. And having a vet show you the first time is the best thing you can do. I usually do that with everything just to make sure I'm doing things correctly. But I will say that when you start to give a goat a shot, don't hesitate and get all wishy-washy. If you have them cornered, tied up, or whatever method you use to restrain them for this, as soon as the needle pokes the skin they're going to try to bolt so there's no time for hesitation. (that's my experience anyway) I have to corner mine and hold them between my knees like I'm riding the goat, but I already have my prepared syringe and needle open, in hand, and ready to go so 10 seconds after they're caught, it's done and over and I grab another prepared syringe and move on to the next goat. Another thing is please be careful not to stick yourself. It's easy to do when you 'tent' the skin to give the shot. The only other thing I can think of is if you're not used to preparing the syringe, have the vet show you that too or watch some good videos. It always takes me a bit of time to make sure there are no air bubbles in the syringes but I get it right eventually. I know---this sounds terrible but it's not. It's a real money saver and a great experience to know how to do this. If your goats are ever sick and need other shots, you'll be comfortable doing it yourself. One of mine last year needed a shot of Banamine every day for a week (vets orders). She gave him the first one since she was there to see him and left me 5 more to do one each day. I was very glad I already knew how to give them.
 
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