Modern medicine has given us vaccines for many of the animals that come in contact with humans and goats are no exception. We aren’t kidding you. In this article, Northwest Veterinary Clinic of Stanwood will go over what vaccines a goat needs.
Vaccines
Vaccinating your herd is important because they live in a herd so one sick animal can spread an illness to all the others. Goats do not follow social distancing procedures.
Always ensure that your animals are in good health before you vaccinate them. Serious complications can arise if the animal is not in good condition before you vaccinate it.
Vaccination is normally administered using a 20-gauge needle. If you are administering it yourself please consult a vet to verify the vaccine is appropriate for your herd and area then follow the instructions the manufacturer provides on schedule and dosage
CDT
At a minimum, you should vaccinate your goat with CDT, or as it is sometimes called CD&T. It protects against Clostridium perfringens type C + D and tetanus. This vaccine requires annual boosters, with the first vaccine being administered at approximately 1-month-old and a follow-up booster 1 month following that.
Other vaccines are optional but recommended with various levels of urgency depending on the area and herd. We recommend that you consult your veterinarian for specific vaccine recommendations for your area.
Optional Vaccines
Rabies vaccines are important for areas that are prone to outbreaks. It is recommended to make sure that if you have any other animals that are on your farms such as barn cats or farm dogs they are also vaccinated.
Not all of the vaccines are available in every state but please ask your veterinarian about the following optional vaccines and if they are recommended for your herd.
- Pneumonia
- CLA
- Chlamydia
- Sore mouth
- Caseous lymphadenitis (CL)
Summary
Vaccinate at minimum for CDT and consult your veterinarian for special recommendations for your area. The cost of a needle is cheaper than the cost of replacing a goat