Often in chat groups over the counter treatments are recommended for this situation or that. Do they work? Yes, in a way. Pepto Bismol and Milk of Magnesia are two we hear of quite
often. But...........always the buts. Are they the right thing to
use for our goat kiddies?
often. But...........always the buts. Are they the right thing to
use for our goat kiddies?
PEPTO BISMOL. Pepto Bismol can be a very effective treatment when used properly. Is Pepto Bismol completely safe? There are risks when taking any over the counter medications. Here are some issues when using Bismuth subsalicylate. It is not recommended during the last half of pregnancy, due to a
condition called bismuth encephalopathy, which is a premature closure of the ductus arteriosus. Taken within the last 3 months of pregnancy has caused interference with normal labor and delivery in humans and some harm to the fetus. Salicylate containing
medications have been linked to Reye's Syndrome in children, teens, and adults.
Yes, these are conditions for humans, but consider the following....Pepto Bismol works by slowing the growth of bacteria that might be causing the diarrhea. Goats need various bacterium in order for their stomachs to function properly. For a goat, their rumen is their life! Without flora, good flora in their gut they can sicken and die quite fast.
Another thing to consider is that using Pepto will slow the SYMPTOMS of parasitic issues, but not resolve those nor help fight them. It should never be used if there is a fever or blood/mucus in the stools. So would we use Pepto for our
herd? Actually never. We wouldn't even use Pepto Bismol ourselves for that matter.
Other inactive ingredients' are: benzoic acid, flavor, magnesium
aluminum silicate, methylcellulose, red 22, red 28, saccharin sodium, salicylic acid, sodium salicylate, sorbic acid, and
water.
MILK OF MAGNESIA. Who hasn't heard of MOM. We,
ourselves, grew up with the MOM jingle as often as we heard the famous Alka-Seltzer 'Oh what a relief it is' every time we turned around. But what do we really know about MOM? Known generically as magnesium hydroxide, Milk of Magnesia is actually a magnesia suspension. What does that mean? It means the inorganic compound that is 'suspended' in water, making the product liquid instead of solid. In solid form, the mineral is called brucite.
Milk of Magnesia is used to reduce stomach acid and increase water in the intestines to help with constipation. Like Pepto, they don't recommend using this product if pregnant or breast-feeding. Children under 2 years of age should not be given this product either.
Some side effects include: difficulty breathing; closing of your
throat; swelling of your lips, tongue, or face; weakness; nausea; vomiting; diarrhea; and hives. MOM also interferes with the absorption of folic acid and iron. There have been issues with drug interactions, such as some antibiotics, blood thinners, antifungals, etc.
Now let's think about our goats. Why would we dose them with MOM? If it effects the acid in stomachs, then this product would affect the rumen of our goats. Anything that would risk the rumen flora is to be avoided. Especially if our goats aren't constipated. Probiotics would work far better assisting their rumen and aiding their digestion. Would we use this
product? No, so why would we give this to our goats?
Other inactive ingredients' are: Purified Water; & Sodium
Hprochlorite.
TREATING WITH OVER THE COUNTER PRODUCTS. When considering treating livestock with over the counter products, we need to consider some serious issues first, especially when products are formulated for human use, not animal use. Ask
yourself some simple questions:
What is the product recommended for?
What symptoms do our goats actually have?
Will it affect their rumen in a negative way?
Does the product have a children's dose listed?
What other treatments are we giving our goats?
Think about these questions. Answering these simple questions will help you use over the counter products or better yet, not use them at all is possible. Remember products made for human consumption may not be the best item for our goats. But any product that affects their rumen, we need to use caution.
Peace always
Brenda Lee
condition called bismuth encephalopathy, which is a premature closure of the ductus arteriosus. Taken within the last 3 months of pregnancy has caused interference with normal labor and delivery in humans and some harm to the fetus. Salicylate containing
medications have been linked to Reye's Syndrome in children, teens, and adults.
Yes, these are conditions for humans, but consider the following....Pepto Bismol works by slowing the growth of bacteria that might be causing the diarrhea. Goats need various bacterium in order for their stomachs to function properly. For a goat, their rumen is their life! Without flora, good flora in their gut they can sicken and die quite fast.
Another thing to consider is that using Pepto will slow the SYMPTOMS of parasitic issues, but not resolve those nor help fight them. It should never be used if there is a fever or blood/mucus in the stools. So would we use Pepto for our
herd? Actually never. We wouldn't even use Pepto Bismol ourselves for that matter.
Other inactive ingredients' are: benzoic acid, flavor, magnesium
aluminum silicate, methylcellulose, red 22, red 28, saccharin sodium, salicylic acid, sodium salicylate, sorbic acid, and
water.
MILK OF MAGNESIA. Who hasn't heard of MOM. We,
ourselves, grew up with the MOM jingle as often as we heard the famous Alka-Seltzer 'Oh what a relief it is' every time we turned around. But what do we really know about MOM? Known generically as magnesium hydroxide, Milk of Magnesia is actually a magnesia suspension. What does that mean? It means the inorganic compound that is 'suspended' in water, making the product liquid instead of solid. In solid form, the mineral is called brucite.
Milk of Magnesia is used to reduce stomach acid and increase water in the intestines to help with constipation. Like Pepto, they don't recommend using this product if pregnant or breast-feeding. Children under 2 years of age should not be given this product either.
Some side effects include: difficulty breathing; closing of your
throat; swelling of your lips, tongue, or face; weakness; nausea; vomiting; diarrhea; and hives. MOM also interferes with the absorption of folic acid and iron. There have been issues with drug interactions, such as some antibiotics, blood thinners, antifungals, etc.
Now let's think about our goats. Why would we dose them with MOM? If it effects the acid in stomachs, then this product would affect the rumen of our goats. Anything that would risk the rumen flora is to be avoided. Especially if our goats aren't constipated. Probiotics would work far better assisting their rumen and aiding their digestion. Would we use this
product? No, so why would we give this to our goats?
Other inactive ingredients' are: Purified Water; & Sodium
Hprochlorite.
TREATING WITH OVER THE COUNTER PRODUCTS. When considering treating livestock with over the counter products, we need to consider some serious issues first, especially when products are formulated for human use, not animal use. Ask
yourself some simple questions:
What is the product recommended for?
What symptoms do our goats actually have?
Will it affect their rumen in a negative way?
Does the product have a children's dose listed?
What other treatments are we giving our goats?
Think about these questions. Answering these simple questions will help you use over the counter products or better yet, not use them at all is possible. Remember products made for human consumption may not be the best item for our goats. But any product that affects their rumen, we need to use caution.
Peace always
Brenda Lee
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