Normal Vital Signs, Barn and Trail First Aid Kits, and Poisoning Treatment and
Poison Control Contacts
Presentation by Carolyn Eddy for NAPgA National Rendezvous 2005
More will be added to this when “Packgoat First Aid” is released in March 2007.
NORMAL VITAL SIGNS
Normals: Normal Temp: 101.5-105F Related to stress, exercise, and outdoor temp, the average goat at rest
in 70-80 degree weather is 101-102.
Normal Respiration: 12-20 breaths per minute at rest, will accelerate with even light exertion
Normal Pulse: 70-80 bpm at rest, will accelerate with even light exertion
Normal Mucous Membrane Color: Tested by looking at the gums Healthy pink in a goat with pink
skin, more difficult to tell on a goat with black skin. If your goat’s skin is black he will look cyanotic, (blue)
even when he’s normal. A better test of the mucous membranes in a dark skinned goat is the capillary refill
time test, where you press on his gum for a few seconds. The color should return to normal in 1-2 seconds.
Any longer and he is shocky. Compare to another goat or yourself.
Barn first aid supplies
baby wipes
betadine/povidone swap sticks
blood stop powder (may be put into plastic bottle with tip for easier application) use on nicks during hoof
trimming
Blu-Kote spray or liquid, fungicidal/germicidal, footrot, ringworm, surface wounds, abrasions, chafes, galls
gauze, 4x4’s
ice pack (chemical)
latex disposable gloves
leatherman tool, or pocket knife
needles for injectable medication, size 21 or 22, 1inch for injecting,
size 18 or 20 for withdrawing thick meds from bottle
razor, disposble
scissors
space blanket to retain heat
stethoscope
syringes, disposable, 60 and 20cc for drenching, 3, 6, and 12cc for administering
injectable medication
tape, adhesive and duct
thermometer, digital is quick and easy, otherwise a rectal one
tongue blade, to squeeze ointments onto and apply with
trimming shears for hooves
vet wrap
weight tape and current, as up to date as possible, list of goat weights
On The Trail First Aid Kit
Ampoule of epi with syringe, ANA kit or Primatene™ mist inhaler for anaphylaxis, IN YOUR POCKET OR
FANNY PACK, assembled and ready for use!
activated charcol capsules (open for use)
banamine
aspirin tablets
epsom salts
ground ginger
baking soda
salt
gatorade
gas-x
pepto-bismol tablets
probios gel
gatorade aid
drench syringe
vetwrap
leatherman or pocket knife
space blanket
raincoats for goats
povodine swabs
duct tape
saline or clear eyes for eye lavage
neosporin antibiotic ointment, one for ophthalmic use is good for both
ice pack, chemical
Poison Control Information
National Animal Poison Control Center Numbers
1-900-680-0000 $20 for the first 5 minutes, then $2.95/minute after. Charged to your phone bill
OR
1-800-548-2423 $30.00 per case, (bills to your VISA, Mastercard, Discover or American Express only)
The 800 number cost includes follow-up calls and will consult with your veterinarian.
Using The Service:
1. Be ready to provide your name, address and phone number.
2.
3. Information concerning the exposure (amount of agent, time since exposure. Etc.)
4. Species, breed, sex, weight, age and number of animals exposed.
5. The agent the animal(s) were exposed to, if known.
6. The problems your animals are experiencing. If you are unable to access the 900 number, call your telephone
company for assistance or use the 800 number. When the 800 number is used your credit card number will
be required in addition to the above information.
SYMPTOMS OF POISONING
Symptoms of poisoning can occur as soon as 2 hours up to 14 hours after ingestion.
Symptoms include:
Frothing at the mouth
Vomiting
Staggering
Trembling
Crying for help
Rapid or labored breathing
Altered pulse rate,
Paralysis of the limbs,
Convulsions
Sudden death
Treatment:
Treatments are varied. In the case of ingestion where you are present shortly after, the best course is to
induce vomiting. 2 Tablespoons of salt on back of tongue to induce vomiting, then give activated charcoal,
1/4 to 1/2 pound of powder to 1/2 cup mineral oil, or Toxiban TM, used per directions, and as much water
as you can get into them. (Recommended up to 3-4 quarts) If your goat is not in distress, but has eaten
something questionable, give Pepto-Bismol 2 Tablespoons or 2 tablets, crushed, to coat their stomach,
followed by 1/8 cup (for 100# goat) to 1/4 cup (for 200# goat) of mineral or salad oil and observe carefully.
Be careful with the mineral oil, as it has no taste and can be inhaled quite easily, causing a possible further
complication of aspiration pneumonia. Mixing it with the Pepto Bismol ™ will help prevent this. This will
coat the stomach and move the toxins through.
This will give them diarrhea; so don’t be alarmed the next day.
If the goat is already showing symptoms and is vomiting, wait till he stops then get the mineral oil, PeptoBismol or charcoal into him. This goat is further along in the toxic process and will have to be monitored
carefully. Try to administer first aid, and get to a vet as soon as possible. When using an emetic, the use
of Toxiban is indicated over the use of Activated charcoal due to the fact that charcoal may be vomited up
again for up to an hour after the first vomiting episode. Toxiban is much less likely to cause emesis and the
absorption of the Toxiban is more effective than the vomiting in removing toxins.
Rhododendron Antidote
This antidote works for any andromedotoxin, and can be used for first aid for any toxic plant, as it counteracts
toxins and coats the stomach. The sooner you do this the more likely you will have a positive outcome.
This formula has been recommended by several vets and is worth carrying if you go into rhododendron
country but it will help in the case of almost any plant toxin.
The best way to carry it is to mix all the dry ingredients in a plastic bag. When you need to use it, fill a 60
cc dose syringe with the powder, fill with water to about 3/4 capacity and shake well and drench by pouring
slowly into the corner of the goats’ mouth. Carrying a large drench syringe in your first aid kit will make this
easier.
Ingredients:
2-3 tablespoons Epsom’s salts
1 teaspoon ground ginger
1 teasoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
2 Tablespoons or 2 tablets of Pepto Bismol (crushed)
This dose is for a 50 to one hundred pound goat. Increase the dosage appropriate to the animal’s weight. A
slight overdose will not be a problem.
Administer every two hours for one day and then every four hours tapering to six to eight hours for the next 4
days.
This antidote can and should be administered for first aid in any type of plant poisoning. Carrying dry ingredients
makes it easier to pack a lightweight trail first aid kit.
A further complication of poisoning is that the rumen may shut down in the beginning phases and then restart
later causing another load of toxins to be dumped into the system. Treatment should be continued for at least
4 days, the first 2 days every 6 hours or at the first signs of distress and later going to twice a day.
NOTES: If you don’t have all the ingredients, first induce vomiting with the salt, and then give charcoal.
Even burning a few small sticks (make sure they are non-toxic such as fir) and powder it. Add it to water in
the drench syringe. The active ingredients in the Rhody antidote are the salt, ginger, baking soda and Epsom
salts, so if you have nothing else, at least carry these in your first aid kit.
Although plant poisonings are the most likely, animals can also be poisoned by overeating feed supplements
such as horse or cattle supplements containing Selenium, common household items as Decon™ Rat poison,
or other rodent poisons, or household products such as antifreeze. If you suspect that your animal has eaten
one of these call your vet or local emergency animal clinic or Poison Control Center immediately.