Rhododendron/Azalea poisoning
The following information was obtained from the Abiqua Animal Clinic website Dr. Acton's Rhododendron Drench Mix with one quart water: ¼ cup molasses 1 tsp Ginger 2 Tbl Epson Salts 1 tsp Salt 1 tsp Baking soda Shake well Drench 1 pint-quart Then repeat with smaller amounts, 3-4 times a day, until signs resolve. Use care when drenching to prevent aspiration. |
orThe point of a well stocked veterinary medicine kit is not to use everything you have, but to have anything you need, when you need to use it.
I've learned over the years, there are a few items that are absolute MUST HAVES - when you need them, you need them RIGHT NOW. You have hours, maybe only minutes, for intervention to have any hope of working. Having these things on hand could mean a life and death difference of intervening early enough the goat has a chance of surviving, and/ or not declining further until the vet can see them for further required treatment. Maladies such as goat polio (polioencephalomalacia), listeriosis, hypoglycemic kids, bloat, grain binge/high risk event for clostridial disease, and rhododendron poisonings are just some of the situations in which immediate intervention can make a big difference in the outcome. One further note - this is a list of some of the items I keep on hand, and strongly encourage others to include in their animal medical care kit. However, this list and any information given is not, nor is it intended to be, veterinary advice. Recommended MUST HAVES (not all are pictured)- These every goat owner should have on hand in their goat medicine cabinet * Orally administered bloat treatment medication (active ingredient docusate sodium); i.e, Bloat Release, Thera-bloat, etc. * Injectable Vitamin B-Complex (especially for the thiamine) *Anti-inflammatory: all are off-label, discuss with your vet. Aspirin or ibuprofen are OTC options that might be used. Dosages for goats can be found online by doing a google search. Meloxicam (oral) or Banamine (injectable) are more effective, but only available via veterinary prescription. *at least five each of Sterile 3 ml syringes with 18-22 gauge, 3/4 - 1" needles (needle and syringe attached and sold as one sterile unit, or sterile needles purchased separately.), plus a few 6ml and/or 12 ml syringes. Recommend purchasing an extra packet of just needles, same size as given above. *One 50 ml oral dosage syringe with metal dosing cannula or "nozzle". this is for getting liquid medications into the goat. You will never regret getting this , especially if you ever have to drench a goat by yourself * Vegetable oil * Activated charcoal - Vegetable oil and activated charcoal can be critical in the case of ingesting poisonous plants or overeating grain. *Anti-diarrheal, such as Kaolin Pectin (Pepto Bismol is no longer recommended due to added ingredients that can irritate the goats gut). NEVER give goats Immodium AD or its generic form, as it can the damage peristaltic function of the gut. Diarrhea is always cause for concern, especially liquid/watery diarrhea, and warrants a call to the vet. Tums or other calcium based ant-acid if you have or will have pregnant or lactating does. OTHER HIGHLY RECOMMENDED ITEMS: These are either by prescription from the vet, or have to be special ordered but very worthwhile to have: *Penicillin Procaine or LA 200 or LA 300 or other antibiotic Antibiotics are now only available via veterinary prescription. Discuss with your vet need to keep a bottle on hand if you are raising goat kids. *C&D ANTI-TOXIN different from the vaccine!) - often on back order, but important to have on hand especially if raising goat kids, and/or if goats are pastured. |