HI, I was wondering if anyone out there is using Equimectrin (oral paste wormer for horses) to worm their goats. I only have three Nubian goats and it is not econmical to buy the drench. I have 2 adult does and a baby that is 6 weeks old weighing 20lbs, I read somewhere that you can triple their weight to use the paste. I am not concerned about the does but am about the kid. The kid is coughing a fair bit but other wise healthy. Temp is normal, eating and playing well just has a cough and a little runny nose. I was going to vaccinate her this weekend but was a little hesitant to do everything at once. Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks Linda

-- Linda Sexsmith (newtogoats@hotmail.com), March 28, 2002

Answers

I use 3 equine paste dewormers from different classifications that I alternate every 2 months. I use them on my equine, swine and bovine, with the vet's blessing. When I had a pygmy goat, the breeder said to give her just one notch of the paste. IMHO, I would not triple the weight.

I would also suggest you hold off deworming the kid. Her immune system is already compromised with the cough and I believe you should get her healthy before deworming.

-- ~Rogo (rogo2222@hotmail.com), March 28, 2002.

Here is an excerpt from the Kinder Goat Breeders newsletter.

*********** There is a very useful and informative web page that gives information on a long list of anti-parasitic drugs for sheep and goats. Take a look at:

http://www.sheepandgoat.com/antheltable.html

The table includes the trade name, drug ingredient, drug family, species approval specificity, labeled dosage, and withdrawal time (for meat and lactating animals). In addition, there is a page that defines and describes drug (chemical) families, has notes about dosing, and a special note about goats.

Goats metabolize dewormers differently than sheep or cattle, and the drugs clear their system faster. Because of this, they require higher doses of the drugs for effective treatment. Virginia Tech advises that goats should receive two (2) times the recommended cattle/sheep dose when ivermectins and moxidectin are administered. Because of their higher toxicity, Lavamisole (Tramisol) products should be given to goats at only 1.5 times the cattle/sheep dose. Don't do any dosing without accurate weights on the goats, and oral dosing is the recommended route of administration for them. *********************

-- Judy (JMcFerrin@aol.com), March 30, 2002.