The Oklahoma Meat Goat Conference

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The Oklahoma Meat Goat Conference

• Pharmaceuticals and Goats

Dave Sparks D.V.M Oklahoma Cooperative Extension
Service
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Drugs and Management

• The availability of drugs for use by goat
  producers is limited by economics.
• Develop and market a new drug 200 million
• Prior to WW II all livestock producers had to
  depend on management and hygiene.
• Many old texts take on new significance
• By combining the prudent use of drugs, along with
  best efforts at observation and management, we
  can ensure the future of our farms and our
  industry.

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Food for Thought!

• Reliance on drugs with insufficient management
  inputs jeopardizes
• Profitability of individual farms today.
• Future productivity of farms as well as entire
  regions
• Human health how well do we follow directions?
• The right to treat our animals in the future
• www.ncifap.org

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Information Superhighway or Speed Trap?

• Beware of the internet as your information
  source. There is excellent info there but
• Always check the source. Anyone who is computer
  literate can post anything. Be sure it is
  furnished by a licensed veterinarian or
  university. They are required to stand behind
  their information.
• Remember that in the case of violations, the
  government will hold you, the producer, liable.
• Epinephrine??

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OTC vs Rx

• Over the counter drugs (OTC)
• Can be used by producers without involvement of a
  veterinarian.
• Marketed at feed stores, pet shops, etc.
• Must be used in accordance with the label.
• Prescription drugs (Rx)
• Available only on the order of a veterinarian who
  has a veterinarian/client/patient relationship.
• Must be used in accordance with label.

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Veterinarian/Client/Patient Relationship

• A V/C/P relationship exists when these 3
  conditions are met
• The veterinarian has assumed the responsibility
  for making clinical judgments and treatments, and
  the client has agreed to follow the veterinarians
  instructions.
• The veterinarian has sufficient knowledge
  obtained by actual examination of the animal or
  appropriate visits to the premises.
• The veterinarian is available for follow up
  evaluation and/or emergency coverage.

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Requirements for Off Label Use

• www.fda.gov/cvm/amducatoc.htm
• Exclusively by licensed veterinarians who have a
  valid V/C/P relationship and must consider
• Species and disease to be treated
• Dose, route and duration of therapy
• Possible adverse reactions and contraindications
• Withdrawal times

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What Drugs Can Never Be Used Off-Label in Goats?

• Any drug used as a feed additive.
• Floroquinolones (Baytril)
• Niitrofurazone
• Micotil
• Clenbuterol
• Any drug used to enhance performance or
  production.

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MUMS

• Minor Use and Minor Species Animal Health Act of
  2004
• Not currently being utilized for goats
• Most current utilization is for the catfish and
  aquaculture industries.
• Producers and organizations need to make the
  pharmaceutical industry aware that we need legal
  drugs, and that we will purchase them.

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Keep Records

• Slaughter animals are tested at random for drug
  residues.
• The producer is liable. Offenses are punishable
  by fines and in severe offenses by imprisonment.
• The FDA says that accurate records help the
  producer avoid or explain problems.
• Dont forget that culls are meat animals too?

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Drugs Available - Dewormers

• Morantel (Rumatel or Positive Pellet) - marketed
  to be fed to groups
• Relatively expensive
• Must make sure each individual gets correct share
• Fenbendazole (Panacure or Safeguard) oral
  administration via dose syringe
• Not very effective due to parasite resistance
• All others are off-label usage, even OTC

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Drugs Available - Antibiotics

• Ceftiofur (Naxcel) (Rx) injectable for
  respiratory infections, pneumonia
• Must be reconstituted, storage issues
• Neomycin (Biosol) oral for digestive tract
  infections, scours
• All others are off-label usage, even OTC

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Drugs Available Anti-inflammatory, Anesthetic,
Tranquilizer

• ? NONE ?

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Get a Vet in the Loop

• Develop a relationship with a veterinarian before
  a crisis occurs.
• Ask questions, you have a right to know your
  veterinarian, his credentials, his interests, and
  his practice philosophy.
• Arrange a farm visit and consultation session.
• www.aasrp.org click about aasrp for list of
  member veterinarians

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Reducing Dependence on Dewormers

• Dewormers can no longer be thought of as a cheap
  input to maximize production!
• Cydectin should be saved a lifesaving last
  resort.
• This is a requirement of off-label usage.
• On many farms, especially in the southeast, tests
  show this is the only drug still effective. The
  next stop is no small ruminants on your farm.

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Reducing Dependence on Dewormers

• Select for strong parasite immunity
• Breed differences
• Within breeds
• Within your herd cull problem animals
• Employ grazing management
• Dont over populate the area, more goats means
  more parasite egg shedding
• Monitor grazing height
• Maintain clean feed and water equipment

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Reducing Dependence on Dewormers

• Sericea lespideza, birdsfoot trefoil
• Sericea - shown to reduce egg counts by 80
• Copper Oxide Wire Particles (Copasure)
• Currently labeled only for cattle
• Dangerous for sheep due to copper toxicity
• Nematophageous fungi
• Not currently available but on the horizon
• Alternative Species Grazing
• Host specific, other grazing species are dead end

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Reducing Dependence on Dewormers

• Well nourished animals are more resistant and
  more resilient.
• Are they doing poorly because they are wormy, or
  wormy because they are doing poorly?
• Dont buy resistant worms.
• Quarantine, treat aggressively, check for egg
  production
• Increasing the dose doesnt help, but increasing
  the time the drug is in the tract does.
• Withhold feed, or repeat dose in 12 to 24 hours

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Reducing Dependence on Antibiotics

• Stop problems before they get serious
• Watch for goats that are off by their selves
• Who are the last goats through the gate?
• Use drugs strictly as labeled or prescribed
• Use a thermometer
• Practice good hygiene
• Facilities
• Equipment

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Manage Your herd to Reduce Stress

• Identify stressors and make adjustments
• Work animals in small groups.
• Provide shade or shelter.
• Spend time looking for problems
• Keep animals vitality high
• Nutrition including water
• Current immunizations
• Fresh air and exercise
• The animals immune system will be directly
  impacted.
• Vaccines are always labeled for healthy animals

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Most Problems Are Purchased

• Dont bring problems home with your replacements
• Buy from known healthy herds with a good herd
  health plan similar to your own.
• Dont be tempted to purchase cheap sale barn
  replacements. You are very likely buying someone
  elses problems.
• Have a suitable quarantine area and plan
• Be aware of biosecurity issues.

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In Summary

• Use available drugs prudently to avoid
  development of drug resistance in your operation
  and in human health concerns.
• Develop and maintain a good relationship with
  your local veterinarian.
• Manage your herd to reduce dependence on drugs.
• Dont purchase problems that may require a drug
  warehouse to overcome.

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As Management skills improve
Management
Bandaids
Bandaids are needed less and diseases become
less prevalent