How to Add Flavor to Mineral Oil for Goats

Mineral oil is a clear, odorless lubricant that helps your goat pass compacted feces if constipated. Mineral oil also minimizes the gas accumulation in your goat's stomach if your goat has bloat, a health condition characterized by too much gas in the rumen. Since you medicate your goat orally with mineral oil, it is important that you flavor it so your goat is aware that it should swallow. Failure to flavor mineral oil for your goat can cause your goat to aspirate the substance, which can cause lung and breathing problems such as aspiration pneumonia, according to Mary Smith, DVM, in "Goat Medicine."

Things You'll Need

  • Mineral oil
  • Powdered ginger/goat energy supplement
  • Measuring cup
  • Bowl
  • Spoon
  • Drenching syringe
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Instructions

    • 1

      Collect your supplies ahead of time. Untreated, bloat is a potentially life-threatening condition in goats, so have your materials in a convenient location so you can provide medication as soon as you see symptoms. You can find mineral oil at a local drugstore or in the health section of your grocery store; powdered ginger is located in your grocery store baking aisle with the other spices. Order goat liquid energy supplement from a goat or livestock supply website.

    • 2

      Mix mineral oil with powdered ginger, a mild spice that can help settle your goat's stomach after the mineral oil does its work. Pour 6 fluid ounces of mineral oil into a measuring cup and sprinkle approximately 3 teaspoons of powdered ginger into the oil. Mix the two ingredients thoroughly with a spoon, then put it in a goat drenching syringe and administer it to your goat orally. If you're dosing a kid under the age of about 8 months, use approximately 3 to 4 ounces of mineral oil and 1 teaspoon of powdered ginger.

    • 3

      Mix the mineral oil with a liquid energy supplement for goats, such as Nutri-Drench or Goat Ade. This can help your goat regain its strength after being off its feed. For an adult goat, measure out 6 ounces of mineral oil and pour it into a bowl. Check the energy supplement bottle for the correct dose for your goat and measure the appropriate dose into the bowl. The typical dosage rate is 1 ounce for 100 pounds. Stir the contents of the bowl thoroughly, then put it in a drenching gun and administer it to your goat orally. If you're dosing a kid, adjust the dosage amount accordingly (use 3 to 4 ounces of mineral oil).