"LA-200 (oxytetracycline) - Over-the-counter product for broad-spectrum
antibiotic use. I use it very rarely. I don't like the fact that this
thick liquid is painful to the goats. Never use LA-200 or any
tetracycline product on pregnant does or kids under six but preferably under 12
months old. Interferes with bone & teeth formation both in utero and
while kids are growing. Can cause abortion in pregnant does at certain
points in the pregnancy, so it is best not to use it at all. The chance
for birth defects is highest in the first and second trimesters of
pregnancy. Oxytetracycline is sometimes used for prevention of late
pregnancy abortion caused by chlamydia and other bacteria susceptible to it.
Use 1 cc per 25 lbs. body weight IM every third day for a maximum usage
of three doses."
I found this information at the following URL:
http://www.boergoats.com/clean/articleads.php?art=72.
Because this information is so different from everything I had learned,
I first checked the information in a book I have; "Plumb's Veterinary
Drug Handbook, Fifth Edition," by Donald C. Plumb. The only
information it contains about the use of Oxytetracycline during pregnancy is
that it states that "a canine and feline study can cause congenital
malformation or embryotoxicity." And, while I could not find any
information in the Plumb text as to the effect on bone and teeth formation, it
does state that the use of oxytetracycline can cause "staining of
developing teeth and bone."
Because I could not verify any of the new information in the Veterinary
Drug Handbook, I sent the quote to an e-mail list that is
specifically for health and veterinary issues pertaining to goats. As it is
sponsored by a University, it is monitored by a Veterinarian who has had a
goat practice for many years. Following is first my question and then
her response:
Question:
"Below is a quote from a drug use article at
http://www.boergoats.com/clean/articleads.php?art=72.
'LA-200 (oxytetracycline) - Over-the-counter product for broad-spectrum
antibiotic use. I use it very rarely. I don't like the fact that this
thick liquid is painful to the goats. Never use LA-200 or any
tetracycline product on pregnant does or kids under six but preferably under 12
months old. Interferes with bone & teeth formation both in utero and
while kids are growing. Can cause abortion in pregnant does at certain
points in the pregnancy, so it is best not to use it at all. The chance
for birth defects is highest in the first and second trimesters of
pregnancy. Oxytretracycline is sometimes used for prevention of late
pregnancy abortion caused by chlamydia and other bacteria susceptible to it.
Use 1 cc per 25 lbs. body weight IM every third day for a maximum usage
of three doses.'
Can anyone tell me how much of this is true?
The Plumb Veterinary Drug Handbook states that Oxytetracycline can
cause "staining of developing teeth and bone."
It also states that a canine and feline study can cause congenital
malformation or embryotoxicity.
Is is known to be true for goats and should oxytetracycline not be used
during gestation except for in late-term situations?
Thanks,"
Response:
Hello Susan,
Almost none of this is true for using oxytet in the goat. In picking
out what is correct, birth defects are most likely to occur if drugs are
used in the first 30 days of a doe's pregnancy. It is not about
trimester. The dose for abortion prevention, when using
Biomycin which is
less painful, is 1 cc per 20 lb given once weekly , SQ,until the doe
kids.
So, not much good information there.
Michele"
The "Michele" is Michele Konnersman, DVM.
Also, I wante to add that Dr. Konnersman advises goat owners to,
whenever possible, avoid giving any drug during the first 30 days of the
pregnancy of a goat because it is during that period that the embryos
undergo the main formation. So, this is when most birth defects occur.
If anyone has any technical information that supports the information
in the quote from GoatWorld, I would appreciate you sharing it so I read
it and pass it along.
Thanks,
Susan
Susan Rektorik Henley
Evening Star Farm
Larue, Texas
http://eveningstarfarm/
Messages in this topic (2)
But the "burning" was my own doing. :doh: I have got to be willing to be open to new ideas and the truth.