Vaccine questions?

[Reptigirl]

I have two 9 week old kids.. they are due for there second CDT booster. I was not the one who gave them there 1st one. I have given many Vaccines before to my dogs & cats so I'm not too worried.

But I was advised to have epinephrine on hand because some goat kids can go into anaphylactic shock. Is this really a big risk? I know it is always a risk but by the way this person was talking it is very common in goat kids? Should I run out and get some before vaccinating them?

Also they were given there first shot 4 weeks ago... this will be the 2nd booster.... Do they need any more boosters? Or is it just the yearly after this?

 

[elevan]

After the first shot they get a booster in 3-4 weeks and then an annual booster thereafter.

The threat of anaphylactic shock isn't great...but IF it happens and you don't have epi on hand then you're gonna lose the goat.

I would have epi on hand because you run the risk of needing it any time you give an injection to your goats.

 

[Reptigirl]

Okay, thanks! I SHOULD have it on hand anyways. It is that time of year for all my pets to get there shots... I just have never had a problem so I never got around to buying any...

The person who told me sure made it sound common... made me a little scared!

Do they sell it at the feed store? Never used it before

 

[elevan]

It's RX so you'll need to get it from a vet.

 

[Ariel301]

I've never seen one get a reaction to a CDT shot. It's much more likely with an antibiotic, especially penicillin.

Epi is something you should have on hand if at all possible, but it has to be purchased with a prescription, so you sometimes run into a problem with that--some vets won't give you one because they don't want you doing your own shots, they want you to go to them and pay them for doing it. At least, that's the case for me right now. They either say that or they won't give out anything at all for goats no matter what, or they won't give a prescription without an exam, and they charge $300 for the exam...

After the second booster, they will need one dose annually. Some people do it every six months, so it's whichever you prefer.

 

[Reptigirl]

I've never seen one get a reaction to a CDT shot. It's much more likely with an antibiotic, especially penicillin.

Epi is something you should have on hand if at all possible, but it has to be purchased with a prescription, so you sometimes run into a problem with that--some vets won't give you one because they don't want you doing your own shots, they want you to go to them and pay them for doing it. At least, that's the case for me right now. They either say that or they won't give out anything at all for goats no matter what, or they won't give a prescription without an exam, and they charge $300 for the exam...

After the second booster, they will need one dose annually. Some people do it every six months, so it's whichever you prefer.

$300 for an EXAM!!!!! Geeezzzzzz I so wish my normal dog/cat vet would see goats! LOL She is awesome. She knows I do most of my own meds. She always works WITH me not against me! Hum... maybe she can get me some.....

Is there a specific dosage for goats? I have Nigerians....

 

[Goatherd]

My vet didn't sell me a bottle, but sold me two syringes filled with Epi should I need it.
Actually, with the small number of goats that I have, and the chance of never needing it, this will suffice for me.

I keep it refrigerated and then take it with me when I'm administering a vaccine or injection.

Maybe your vet will sell it to you this way?

 

[20kidsonhill]

I would say it is very rare, We have had goats 15 years, 30 to 70 head given the year and time of year(when we have all the babies). and I have never purchased epi. Never had one with a reaction. We are not organic, we do give shots, vaccinations and antibiotics.

With that said, If it is going to really bother you to give a shot and then by the off chance your goat should have a reaction and falls over in front of you, you probably should have epi on hand.

 

[Reptigirl]

I have an appointment on Friday to see the vet so I will ask about it when I'm there!

 

[BetterHensandGardens]

I just went through the same thing, getting all set to give our goats their annual CDT & BoSe shots, and then realizing that I should have epinephrine on hand. Here's the story if you're interested: http://www.betterhensandgardens.com/2011/05/04/annual-cdt-bose-injections-for-goats/

Anyway, I decided better safe than sorry too, our vet called it into Pet Supplies (didn't have to pay anything for the vet), and they shipped it out overnight. It's a fairly large bottle that should last our small farm just about forever for $30.