Administering Medications

**Just a reminder - I am not a vet - if you are uncertain of administer drugs to your animas consult your veterinarian. **

Things to know

1 CC (cubic centimeter) = 1 ML (Milliliter)

15 CC = 1 TBS (well, actually 14.78, but we round up)

Drenching - When drugs are administered orally, this is often called 'drenching'.   It is often done with a syringe - NO NEEDEL, syringe only.  Or a drenching gun.

If you are drenching your goat with large amounts of liquid - always administer slowly - giving the goat time to swallow. Tip their head up slightly, and insert the syringe / dosage into the side of the mouth, not the center.   

Way to administer injections -

SQ or also called SC - Subcutaneous - and injection given under the skin.

IM - Intramuscular - an injection given strait into the muscle.

IV - Intravenous- an injection given strait in the vein

Which method should you use?

Most common ways to administer injections to goats are SQ & IM.   Because goats have a very high metabolism (3-4 times that of a cow) injections given into the muscle usually are not in their system long enough to do their job.  SQ injections move through their system slower, giving the drugs the time they need to work properly.  Most all meds are given to goats via SQ injections.

When to NOT give injections SQ -

All hormonal drugs should be given IM, deep in the muscle to be effect.  These drugs work through the system differently then most other medications.

 Sometimes when a goat is very ill and meds are needed fast for their recovery IM injections may be used instead.  In some cases meds may be given both IM and SQ, to be effect quickly and also over a longer period of time.

IVs are generally only done by your vet, or needed with a goat is on deaths door.

SQ injections are generally given in the 'arm pit' area - right behind where the leg meets the body.  Pull/pinch the skin up and away from the muscle - insert the needle into the side of the 'tent' area.  If you are administering several drugs or on a daily bases like in the case of antibiotics, rotate which side of the goat injections are given on.  You may also spread father from the 'arm pit' area, going up to the shoulder and also over the rib cage.  Rub over the injection site afterwards in a circular motion to help circulate the fluid more evenly.

IM injections are generally given in the neck.  Find the shoulder blade, and shape a triangle in the center of the neck in front of the shoulder blade.  Insert the needle strait into the muscle.

** You may find the rear leg as a suggested spot for IM injections, use caution if administering drugs here as there is a main nerve that runs along and down the leg.  I do not suggest this injection site.

In this picture the pink area suggest ideal SQ site, with green being secondary for when larger amounts of injections are given.  Blue on the neck indicates IM injections sites.

Supplies -  

Syringes - available at most feed stores.  3 ML and 6ML are most commonly used.  12 ML are handy for drenching.  1 ML syringes may be harder to find locally, but are really handy to have on hand if you  have kids.

You will see 2 basic types of syringes and needles - Luer lock, and Luer slip.  Luer lock will actually have a screw type attachment, whereas luer slip will simply push together.

Needles - also available at most feed stores.

What size you ask?  Because there are soooo many !

These are measured in 2 dimensions - length and gage (width or thickness of the needle).   The higher the number on the gage - the smaller the thickness.  So a 22G needle will be smaller then a 16G needle.

Suggested needles size per use  -

SQ injections on adult animals - 18G x 3/4"

IM injections on adult animals - 20G x 1"

SQ injections on newborns - 22G x 1/2"

For blood pulling - 20G x 1" Or 20G 3/4" for Mini's and younger animals - on rare occasion I have needed 18G x 1" for larger bucks. 

** Never use the same needle twice !  When pulling meds from a bottle, use a new needle and syringe.  After administering to one animal, throw it away.  Use a new needle and syringe every time.  Failure to do so can result in infection, spoiled meds, and ill side effects. **

Things to watch out for -

** All injections should be given SLOWLY.  Take your time !  The larger the dosage the slower you should be injecting.   You are inserting a foreign substance into their body - too fast and you will send them into shock causing their heart to stop.  Goats suffering from shock will exhibit tremors or appear to stumble and fall over shaking, unable to stand.  Usually within minutes of receiving an injection.

How to counteract -

Epinephrine - Vet RX drug -  adrenaline, used to counteract anaphylactic shock.

Given IM at 1ML per 100lbs.

A lump may appear at the injection site - this is more common when administering vaccines, and should clear up within a few months.

Occasionally SQ injections sites may bleed immediately after an injection is given.  Don't panic.  Most likely you just hit a capillary in the skin.  Apply pressure to stop the bleeding.

Ovoid using too small a gage needle, as it may not be strong enough for the task and break off in the skin.  Have help restraining the animal to avoid this as well.

I feel injections are something every goat owner should know how to do.  It may mean the difference between life and death if your animal is taken suddenly ill.  Although seemingly scary at first, it really is quite simple and easy to master.  You can do it!  :)