A well stocked medical cabinet is a must have when it comes to owning goats. You never know when sickness will hit and what goat medications you will need to fix it.
Most medications have a pretty long shelf life- but even if they only last a year, it is better to have them on hand than to risk losing your goats!
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10 Goat Medications to Have on Hand
A Good Dewormer
Internal parasites will be the number one thing you will fight in your herd. You need a good plan in place and a good variety of wormers in your cabinet.
In my cabinet of goat medications I have the following: Molly’s Herbal Wormer, Ivomec, Cydectin, Quest, and Safegaurd. In the garden I grow Wormwood.
Some of these have sat unused for years since my go-to’s (herbal and Ivermectin, if needed) work well. Also check out my article on Preventing Worms with Herbs including a simple dosage ball recipe.
You don’t want to play around with parasites though- like I mentioned in my article on Anemia in Goats– parasites can cause a goat to go down hill very quickly- so be prepared.
If you are new to goats, I recommend reading up as much as you can before you purchase. You can find a lot of articles here on The Free Range Life that will teach you about goat care and be sure to check out The Busy Homesteader’s Goat Management Binder– it’s full of to-do lists, checklists, record keeping sheets, and resource pages that will get your new goat herd off to a great start!
A Good Antibiotic
We keep LA200 (or other forms of Oxytetracycline such as Biomycin) on hand at all times. We give it to new arrivals, especially if they have traveled far and are at risk for shipping fever. LA200 is also good for treating pink eye, naval infections in kids, uterine infections after kidding and most mastitis infections.
There are other brands if Oxytetracycline such as Biomycin or Liquamycin to choose from as well. If you are dealing with other sicknesses you might need a different drug, but LA200 is a good all purpose goat medication to keep on hand.
Electrolytes
If you have a goat of any age with scours you will want to have Electrolytes on hand to help keep them from getting dehydrated. Dehydration from scours can occur quickly- just as it can in humans with the stomach flu. Electrolytes are pretty inexpensive and the goats usually love the taste of it.
You can also make your own electrolyte solution for goats: Learn to make your own goat electrolytes at home!
Kao-Pectin
Just like with the electrolytes, Kao-Pectin is used to help prevent dehydration and dry up scours that are present in your goats.
Please remember that this is NOT a cure. You still must treat what ever is causing the scours, but while you are making your diagnosis, treating or waiting for a vet, Kaopectate can help buy you some time.
Check out my Goat Resource Page to shop for all my recommended products!
CD&T Vaccination
The CD&T Vaccine
(Toxoid) is one of the most universally suggested vaccine for goats. It protects against clostridium perfringins or Enterotoxemia, which is sometimes called “overeating disease”.
The “T” part of the vaccine protects against Tetanus. I won’t go into all that causes and happens with Enterotoxemia and Tetanus right now, but it’s not something to take lightly. And prevention is key.
You should give your pregnant goats the vaccine a month before kidding to pass on some of the immunity to her kids. Kids should also be vaccinated at 6 weeks and then again 3 weeks later. All goats should receive a booster yearly.
CD/T Anti-Toxin
These Anti-Toxins are used if Enterotoxemia or Tetanus are already present in the goat. If they aren’t vaccinated and you see signs of either of these diseases you should administer the anti-toxin to provide immediate short term protection for your animal.
Occurrences such as disbudding, castration, open wounds and sores make goats susceptible to tetanus (also called Lock Jaw and causes similar symptoms of the human disease of the same name).
These diseases are very painful and fatal- so make sure you take preventative measures and have the anti-toxins on hand to give them a chance to pull through.
Activated Charcoal
Activated Charcoal is used to absorb toxins when your goats get into toxic plants. The dose is about 1g/kg of body weight. You may never use it, but trust me you don’t want to be without it.
A couple of years ago I went out to milk a doe in the morning and she didn’t come to the gate. I found her in the farm covered in green vomit looking so, so ill. Soon after all the goats- including 2 kids- started SCREAMING in pain and forcefully vomiting. It was awful. It turned out that family trimming in another pasture threw them some rhododendron branches thinking they’d like them.
It was a scary few days hoping they’d pull through- giving them whatever I could find around town. I didn’t have any activated charcoal on hand and it was something that could have lessened their pain and symptoms much sooner.
Related Reading: Diagnosing and Treating Scours in Goats
Milk of Magnesia
This is another goat medication to keep on hand in case of toxicity reactions or other indigestion due to overeating or improper feeding. It soothes the rumen and helps them remove toxins from their body.
Milk of Magnesia can also be used to treat constipation- so if diarrhea starts after dosing do not treat it. You want all of the toxins to be removed from the body.
Sulmet (or other antibacterials)
Like many other livestock, goats can be at risk for Coccidiosis. Coccidiosis is caused by a protozoan parasite. This parasite is always present and most goats build up an immunity to it as they age.
Kids are at the highest risk so if you have a kid with diarrhea that you have diagnosed as Coccidiosis you will want to treat with an antibacterial such as Sulmet (what we use). You can also use Albon or Corid (I don’t recommend this one).
These are usually labeled to be added to drinking water, but it is best used with goats by dosing undiluted straight into the mouth.
*Please note that these antibacterials are now only available through your vet.
Epinephrine
This is another one of those just in case goat medications that you should have on hand, because it can be the difference between life and death. If your goat collapses after receiving any injection you might be dealing with Anaphylactic shock and a dose of Epinephrine is the only thing that wills save them.
Most of the time these reactions will occur the 2nd time you administer a certain medication. You may never have to use it, but it is pretty inexpensive and has the peace of mind it will give you is worth it. Note: This is only available with a prescription.
Don’t be caught unprepared! Keep all of these goat medications stocked in your medical cabinet (or refrigerator for some of the vaccines) and you will be well prepared when disease pops up or your curious goats get into something they shouldn’t! And be sure to check out the Advanced Guide to Goat Illnesses and Medications for a thorough, quick reference guide to all goat illnesses!
I had a lot of trouble getting epinephrine. My vet wouldn’t give it to me at all because he said it was “controlled”. Hopefully no one else will have as much trouble as I did. I ended up getting mine from Vetserv.
Due to people that abuse it or use it to make other drugs it is getting harder and harder for those that need it to get it.
I need an antibiotic for my goat that retained a passed kid for several days after the birth of one sibling. It was stuck for about 36 hours. We only have a Tractor Supply and all antibiotics only say for cattle. Is this one comparable to the ones you mentioned?
Thank you for any help you can offer.
It looks like that is Oxytetracycline, which is the same antibiotic…but I’d have to compare to see if the dosing would be the same
I think in some places you can still get it in pharmacies that sell the older bee sting kits.
I have farming with bourbon goats,
I was new to owning Goats. I just wanted to add a goat to the pasture to keep my mini pony company. I figured they could eat what I was feeding my horse. Started out with one goat and ended up with 2 goats because she was pregnant which I didn’t know. They do keep each other company. But I have been reading alot about the care of goats. I need to make some big changes for the goats. Alot of changes. Also, the baby goat never gets out of the pasture or even tries. The moma goat was in a traveling zoo. So she was very tame. The problem with that is she wants to get out every time she sees people or animals. Not even an electric fence and wire fence would hold her in the pasture. My latest try was to put the electric wire as close to the ground as possible. That is a bit of a problem when having to weed-eat the fence line.
Get at least 3 goats they like to be in a herd put a couple of extra strands of wire above fence
I got a 3 month old goat he is in some pain and is crying but can’t pee just a few drips at times what can I do was told he has kidney stones
My problem is danduff is in every where on my goat
Sadly your goat is probably a wether and wethers don’t usually make good pets due to the problem your goat now has. As young kids they were nutured early to reduce stress on the kid but this can restrict the growth of the urethra and usually dooms the wether to a short life span.These goats were destined for show and then slaughter. There are medical procedures to fix this problem but it can be expensive. I have lost several show goat wethers due to feeding enriched grain/pellets (hay,hay,hay, stay away from grain)which is the main cause of the formation of the stones and paired with a small urethra it can result in terrible pain and or death for the wether. If you want a pet goat, get a doe. I sure people will disagree but this is my experence.
Great article! I have Nubians and this inspires me to be better prepared. I haven’t had very many problem but it’s good to have this on hand “just in case.” You should do a post on administering these drugs. Thanks.
If you have allergies to bees, or other allergies, you can get epi-pens. I have to renew my epi pens every year, but I’m certain that they last longer than that, and you could use the old ones in a pinch.
Although you do need a n Rx for them….
How do u convert human epi pen to goat use reguarding usage?
Choose biomycin over LA200, as the biomycin has anti-sting properties. The LA200 is very painful for goats. Both are equal as an antibiotic
I don’t believe in LA
I don’t know why you don’t believe in LA! It is real! Maybe you don’t like it?
Hi I am still very new to goats (I only have one wether). His name is Andy and he is such a people goat! He gets all kinds of attention hiking, grazing, yard work, and even way too many potato chips from grandma! Well recently we have been working on relocating his old day time run and my boyfriend and I left him with the rest of my family for the weekend when he decided that he hated the world. He would jump his fence and charge anyone he could find. Upon hearing this we came home early which helped him lighten up a bit but he was still jumping his fence. Today walking him into his night pen I saw that his accessory digit was torn half off! He was kicking at the flies landing on the red lump behind the hoof and limping when he walked so we washed it and bandaged it after powdering it with Wonderdust. I am reading up online that i could do several things like soaking it in Epsom salt or antibiotic ointment-ing it and such. Nothing is too relative to my particular situation and I was hoping for some insight.
Thank you!
one goat alone will always get out or jump fence put higher fence by adding wire to top of fence get 1 or 2 female goats it may be to late once they learn to hope fence
to the previous comment, Tiffany Anne Marie, goats are herd animals. They are very unhappy alone. Your little wether is lonely and needs a friend. Get him another wether pal and he should settle down. Good luck!
I have a question. hopefully you can help. I have fainting goats. I have a goat named Momma and she got attacked or something about 2 weeks ago. She seemed to come out fine. I have watched her and today i had a funny feeling so I ran home for lunch and found her laying under my pine tree. She was stiffened up like she had fainted and had laid there for awhile. Was not there this morning when I did the chores. I got her up and she ate and urinated. I am wondering if you know what could be wrong and what I should do to help her?
I don’t know much about fainting goats. Does she have any other symptoms? Stumbling, unsteadiness to one side? What kind of injuries did she have? Has she been vaccinated for Tetanus?
Or Selenium Deficiency Possibly. We lost a kid last summer to this. Same starter symptoms but comes on within hours.
I used to have 42 goats and we would get a 50 lb bag of BOSS,black oil sunflower seeds and mix it with their feed .We would do 5-50 lb bags of sweet feed to a 1/2 a bag of BOSS.
Please, am a new comer to goat and reading alot on Goats to able to manage properly. So I will appreciate to know if those handy Drugs on shelves for humans can also be applied on Goats. Thank you.
I have a six month goat (female) who has developed a “hack”…its the best I can do at describing the sound. Its as if she has something stuck in her throat. I am in Mexico and Goat vets are few and far between.
I did find this article on the web…but not sure where to start….
(reprinted by permission from Pygmy Goat WORLD magazine, April. 1996)
Q. Some of my goats have a dry, hacking cough. Friends have recommended various treatments that haven’t worked. What can cause this?
Here is a response from Dr. Steven Parish, a large animal professor at Washington State University.
Some of the possible causes of a chronic dry hacking cough in goats:
Dry, dusty or moldy hay.
Ammonia or other noxious fumes from bedding, etc.
Viral infections, such as P13 and Respiratory Syncytial Virus. These can lead to a chronic cough syndrome without other signs.
CAE virus, although coughing is not usually prominent.
Any chronic bacterial or mycoplasma pneumonia.
Lungworms.
Caseous lymphadenitis – should see abscesses in animals.
So, it sounds like it could be something very simple or something more complicated. My suggestion is that if it persists, have a vet come out and take a look. It would be nice to have the vet visit your farm if several animals have the cough rather than taking just one or two animals in. During the visit, your vet may identify an environmental cause you have overlooked.
I have a young Boer buck that seemed to have some kind of respiratory thing going on, though he had other symptoms as well. I could rule out environmental factors. He was low on energy and would cough/pant. He would rhythmically pull his upper lip up and down. I’ve had goats for years and this was a new one on me! I decided to just hit him with all I had. It was close to time to vaccinate, so he got his CDT and an antibiotic. I also gave him vitamins B Complex, E, and selenium along with an energy concoction I use made mostly of molasses and crushed multivitamins. I still don’t know what was wrong, but he is back to normal. If this hadn’t worked, I would have thought that maybe he just had a bad heart. Good luck with your coughers.
I have about 20 does in my herd and I have been dealing with the cough and runny nose, can you suggest something other than LA 200 as an antibiotic that won’t burn so bad, but will also cure them ?
Vetrx for goats and sheep
My buck had similar symptoms. Other meds did not work. I administered Valbazine. It’s not cheap but did the trick.
I have about 20 does in my herd and I have been dealing with the cough and runny nose, can you suggest something cure them ?
I wanted a couple goats just for pets. I didn’t do my research (BIG MISTAKE) before I bought two young goats…. “Porter” a wether and “Barney” a buck with HORNS (another BIG MISTAKE). (I didn’t want milk or a herd, just a couple pets). Porter is very gentle and sweet, however after a year Barney is maturing and becoming more and more aggressive. Dangerously aggressive. He has seriously injured me on more than one occasion with his horns. I love him, but don’t know what to do. Should I try to find him a home with some does and other bucks? Any advice?
Yes, you really have to watch a buck- especially in the fall when they come into rut. I’d never turn my back on a buck- even sweet ones. You can castrate him if you wish- that might tame his hormones a bit, or rehome him and find a doe or another wether to keep the first one company.
Hi Dina, we just rehomed our buck (with horns) and his companion (who doesn’t have horns and who he has never,ever been mean to.) Personally, I feel that bucks aren’t pets. Their biology says, “go forth and make babies,” and they will never be completely safe, especially during rut season. I ALWAYS carried a staff and kept it between me and the buck ’cause in his affection for me -and he was so affectionate!!! – he would accidentally hurt me. Since your goat is aggressive I think you have a losing battle. I would find him a home where he can be the stud his body is wanting to be. And then I would find a doe or another wether as companion to your hornless goat. We moved our buck with his companion so that he would have an easy transition to a new farm. Starting over is also an option. A good buck is valuable and can be used for stud services but that won’t relieve the aggression problems. If your buck is full blooded or has a really good coat and markings – you should be able to find a place for him easily. Good luck.
I have found that a simple spray bottle of water keeps all “attitude” at bay. If my wether is REALLY obnoxious about my space, i only have to get the garden hose on sprinkle and he’s out of my space before I have to get his feet wet. But since I don’t have a hose handy everywhere on the farm, my little spray bottle of water does the trick. He just plays out of my “circle” and we have respect. It’s easy, and harmless and all I have to say now is “Oh, Sir! Do you want your feet washed?” And he moves a few steps back. He’s a very smart baby boy!
i have two kids they look healthy eating well have given all the shots to them, but, they dont seem to be growing. Why ? they ate boer cross
I could recommend a 1ml vial of adrenalin versus epinephrine – it’s cheap as chips and works perfectly. 0.05 into thigh and five mins later 0.05 if no response
Thanks very much for this info on goats i have two of them Mum and Daughter.
I love your website and all your valuable information on it. I bought your goat binder which I have to add is well worth the price. Got a quick question for you. Can I store the medications and supplements in my barn which freezes in the winter? I live in northern Montana. My plan was to organize them in Rubbermaid containers or drawers.
I wouldn’t keep them in a place where they could freeze. Cool and dark….but not freezing. We keep ours in a cabinet in our laundry/mudroom. And thanks for your purchase!
i have 2 goats that have a little runny nose and a little hack.. we just got them 3 days ago.. they have been eating just fine?? no upset stomach.. what could it be
Moving goats can stress them. People call it “shipping fever”. I would keep an eye on it for a couple of days. If things seem worse and they are acting sick then you might want to consider giving BioMycin.
I have a pigmy goat that is 4 mos. oldhe has hair loss on his back, like something bit it off. The under coat is still in tack and full. Any idea what this could be? We do have other goats.
Any signs of lice or other external parasites?
I just got my pygmy in June. His name is BamBam and lives up to it. The first week I couldn’t get him to go outside. His prior owners have a lot of goats. Outside is where he lived, but not here. I think he thinks he’s a dog. He plays with our 8month would frenchie/boxer cross. Their the same size. Uses doggy door, eats in the kennel, sleeps by me or MeetHead. But my chorkie Colt is the boss of the house. He’s 3yrs old.
Moved from a Tennessee from Texas 3 months ago. I have the one 10 yr old goat I bottled fed from birth. I’ve never had medical issues until I moved and expected the stress so took him to the Vet and all was well….a steroid, Vit B to give him a boost and started him on probiotics. He adjusted!
A couple of weeks ago he started losing his winter fur abnormally as I combed him. His hair came out by the chunks. I called the Vet to come out so he could see his environment. He did an extensive workup…..skin scrape, etc and found no bugs if any sort. Makes sense he’has allegies. He has given him Ivomec and a steroid and his poop has become clumpy for day now.
Any thoughts before I call him back.
Hello – we’re new to goats, getting our first 3 wethered ones next month. working on supplies etc. where do you buy Sodium Bicarbonate?
We get large bags at the feed store- but it’s just baking soda
If you raise wether goats you need to put 1 teaspoon of ammonium chloride on their food to keep them from getting stones. This is caused from grain.
What is the dose for quest?
1 cc/ 100lbs for the quest gel
I raised goats my whole childhood, teen years and early adulthood. If any of y’all have kids (the upright, 2legged sort) put them in 4-h….i repeat put them in 4-H it’s invaluable for the animal knowledge etc. Also great to learn dog training.
I have a doe that we rescued from a slaughter farm and she had 2 babies. We just separated her for weaning and she looks like a concentration camp victim. She is so skinny and I am so afraid for her. It is very hard to give her anything oral, as she is very skiddish and afraid of everyone. (not a good life before us).
I wormed her with safegard on 3/2, have been giving her grain, putting probiotics in it, force fed her nutrical (per vet) gave her water with molasses and pedialyte. (she drank it once, now won’t touch it) She has timothy second cut and and alfalfa hay. I did get her to eat some bannana. She is not eating much, and I don’t know what to do. I think maybe she might need copper, noticed her trying to chew on the barn, which she has never done before and noticed hair on her nose is super short now. I don’t know if she rubbed it off or what. She has minerals of her choice but hasn’t touched them.
Please help!!!
I have an almost 3 week old bottle baby in the house that has a runny nose and eyes. No temperature, eats great and is super active. Her nose runs 24/7. It’s clear and white. I do not want to give her antibiotics since they wont help with a cold or allergies. I give her 2.5 ml of benadryl 3 times a day. Is there anything else I could use? Her lungs are clear
Hi Sarah.. I hope you can help me.. we rescued two goats about 3 years ago and they must have been abused because we have a difficult time being able to touch them even after all these years. My problem is my Bauer doe has udders that are very very large and she seems in pain.. unsociable with her female Nubian mate now and remains in shelter most of the time. Could this be mastitis ? Is there something I can give orally in a treat or anything to help with staving off whatever infection she has? I hate to see her this way but I know I would never be able to get close enough to have her feel comfortable for me to give her a shot. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Has she been in milk? I’m honestly not sure what you could give her orally. You really do need to get more hands on- look closer at the udder and take a temperature. We had a does that was rescued. She used to try and bite me when I attempted to trim her hooves. With a lot of patience and time she did come around to eating treats from my hand. We would get her in a stall, my husband would hold her collar and sort of hold her against the wall so I could do whatever it was that needed to be done. Do you have a vet? Our vet was able to draw blood from our rescue just months after we got her…if they are trained to work with these animals they can usually get tests done quickly.
i have a three months baby goat ,and he has diarrhea (green) .I don’t know
what to do.
What is the dosage of LA 200 for a doe with possible metritis (or uterine infection) after birth? Her vagina is prolapsed and has been swollen for a few days now. She is about 40lbs. Is 1mL enough? Is it a one time injection?
Hi my dad rescude a pygmy goat from a negective and abusive man and he has a hacking and wet cough with slight wheezing and grinds his teeth he’s severely under weight and he passes out if he’s outside idk what to do he loves to sleep with me in my bed against my chest but he does almost pained is their anything I can do to help him?
I also live in NC on a small farm and wanted goats but this article changed my mind. No thanks they are too much trouble!
Hello!
Do you have any pain medication recommendations?
Drugs to treat sour tongue and mouth in goat and this particular infection makes it to stop eating
This article is helpful thanks a lot
Any medicine after castration.
My pregnant goat is not eating and she’s acting sluggishly.
What drugs can you recommend for me to use for the pregnant?
Thanks goat
It depends on a lot of factors- how close is she to kidding, what are her other symptoms, what’s her diet normally, etc
Hello! I’m new to goats and particularly worried about keeping internal/external parasite control. Getting two wethers in 2 weeks. Was convinced to begin Molly’s natural #1 until 6months but now wondering if Ivomec is better. If ivomec…1cc/34# but how often? Thank you!
I wish to know the specific medicine for goat kids which die banding nack and shivering crying until they die
What is the reason to castrate a male goat? Didn’t know they did that!
I have goats want to no more bout goats
I am new and I have some goats, I found out one of my sheep has coldflu and a sore leg, please what can I do to save him, please I need urgent help
I have a kid which got stuck in a hole for half a day by the time we discovered it it was already weak and was not able to move anymore she was also shivering and couldn’t eat what could have caused it and also what drugs could be administered to the kid
Where do you typically buy your sulmet solution. It is. It currently available on Amazon and I am having a hard time finding it else where.
Thank you
Katrina
Hello, am from Nigeria, am a novice to goat farming but I have much interest in the goat rearing, please what can I use us to control skin dryness that leads to goat losing their hairs, secondly, please I need advice on goat feeding and self goat vaccination, thanks
My goat is pregnant and it has cough, diarrhoea, and catarrh can i give the goat la2oo