Disbudding

lkmartin1230

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Okay. I'm have heard about this study for a year now I believe. It's about using clove essential oils to disbud. My question is has anybody used this, did it work, and was it safe? I'm just curious because I'd like to try it, but I'm afraid of allergic reaction in the babies. Any tips, info, pics, and advice would be greatly appreciated. Would it be worth it to try it?
 
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lkmartin1230

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Also is injection the only way for not to work, or can your rub it on?
 

babsbag

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Yes, it works. Is it safe...no. It seems that the dosage is related to the weight of the goat. My friend did four or five goats and the two smallest ones died of respiratory distress about 6 hours later. The bigger ones had very rapid breathing for most of the night. Respiratory distress is a symptom of clove oil overdose.

I did it on two Alpine bucklings and I used a lower dose and it did not work. I was hoping I could do less and not run the risk of the overdose but it didn't work. If I were to do it again I would do one side one day and the other 2 days later, but still not sure you won't kill them. I would never do a Nigi or Pygmy, or a mini for the matter.

Injection is the only way as it needs to get between the horn bud and skull and prevent the tissue from attaching to the skull.
 

lkmartin1230

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Okay. Well, I won't try that. I'll just find a vet to disbud.
 

lkmartin1230

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Me too. I am at the point where I'm having to replace some does that died earlier this year and last year (had 3 doelings born this year) so I'm keeping the doelings and selling 3 bucklings, and my Buck...next buck I keep WILL be either polled or disbudded my sweet buck has just forked me multiple times, bruises everywhere and cause so much damage to the fence the does can get out. Even had one doe get out over night and I had to wake up at 430 in the morning right as my dad was leaving for work!(Not to mention i had my finals that day)Should be selling my buck and bucklings over the next few weeks locally(hopefully) and be Buck/buckling free for a few months. Everything should already be bred for August and September babies. Wish me luck on selling.
 

BlessedWithGoats

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:hugs Sorry to hear you lost a couple does! :( I also lost one of mine this year.
I'm also at the point of possibly selling my two adult bucks, and looking for another. The Nigerian I have is related to both of the girls I need a Nigie for, I'm getting an Alpine buckling, and I may sell the Alpine/Oberhasli I have now. :) I wish you the best!!
 

lkmartin1230

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Thank you so much! Yeah one of the does was my first goat so was kinda hard to let go of.....we ended up having to put her down before she had a prolapse of some kind and couldn't pass her dead babies......pretty bad experience. Didn't talk to anybody for days because it was so stressful and tramatic. Hope you have good luck getting some bucks.
 

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