More...

Must haves for those little (and occasionally big) medical adventures

Basic First Aid "Equipment"

  • Thermometer: A normal goat temperature is between 101.5 to 103.5 degrees. A digital thermometer is quick and easy to use. It's good to have at least 2 on hand in case one is low on batteries.
  • Stethoscope: Helpful for listening to their lungs and rumen and even checking heartbeats.
  • Gloves: Disposable gloves are handy for assessing wounds, applying topical medications, giving shots, or just generally keeping yourself clean when your goat isn't!
  • Scissors: Great for cutting bandages or gauze, trimming around wounds, etc.
  • Small Trimmer: Handy for quick shaves of small areas.

Other Necessary Items

  • Needles and Syringes: Generally, 20 or 22g for giving SubQ or IM medications. Syringes (big and small) are also handy for a variety of other non-shot related things!
  • Hoof Trimmers: For trimming hooves every month or two.
  • Drenching Gun: For dosing supplements, medications, or electrolytes. Watch a video online to make sure you are using it correctly!
  • Scale and Sling: Small scale is handy for doing weight checks on goat kids, weighing feed, and for checking milk production. A sling keeps the squirmy small (and big!) goats contained while weighing!

Supplements and Medications

  • Probios: Helpful in times of stress, feed issues, moving, etc. to keep their rumen happy.
  • Activated Charcoal: Lifesaver when your goat eats something toxic!
  • Herbal Dewormers: Land of Havilah, Fir Meadows, Molly's Herbals - I mix 1/4 cup with a pound of kelp and free feed.
  • Electrolytes: Powder (or a homemade mix) can help with dehydration during hot weather or bouts of scours.

Wound Cleaning

  • Chlorhexidine: For cleaning wounds and preventing infection.
  • Vetericyn Wound Care Spray: Good for cuts and abrasions, skin irritations, and more!
  • Saline Solution: Helpful for flushing eyes or open wounds.
  • NuStock: Contains sulfur to help with deep wounds, cuts and skin abrasions. It is also great for areas of hair loss, treating mites and pretty much most issues related to the skin.