How to Drench a Goat

Drenching a goat is more difficult than doing the procedure on sheep or cattle, because goats are more prone to stress. Goats tend to struggle and vocalize or yell during drenching, which increases the risk of the drench going down their windpipe into their lungs. If this happens, goats can choke to death. Drenching is a way to give medicine through an animal's mouth and is a common method for treating goats for stomach worms. A standard drench gun for sheep also works well for drenching goats.

Things You'll Need

  • Scales
  • Drench gun for sheep
  • Drench
  • Graduated container
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Instructions

    • 1

      Remove goats from feed 12 hours before drenching, but give them continuous access to water.

    • 2

      Weigh and record weights of goats to be drenched. Calculate dosage for each animal using information on the drench product label. Recommended dosages vary according to animal weight.

    • 3

      Test accuracy of the drench gun. Fill the gun with water and set it for a certain dosage. Squirt this dosage into a graduated container and then measure the amount of liquid expelled from the gun. Repeat this procedure two or three times to test dosage consistency. If the gun does not deliver the selected amount, but is consistent, allow for the inaccuracy when regulating gun dosage. Throw away an inconsistent gun and buy a new one.

    • 4

      Restrain the goat to be drenched, open its mouth and place the tube of the drench gun in the left side and over the base of the tongue. Close the animal's mouth and hold it closed during drenching. Raise the goat's head slightly and slowly push down the drench gun plunger until the selected dose has been administered.

    • 5

      Keep drenched goats off feed an additional four hours with water access. At the end of this period, continue the regular feeding program.