Important things to have on hand if you own livestock
We always hope nothing will ever happen to our precious animals, but inevitably if you own livestock, something will happen out of the norm at some point. And instead of panicking, if you have some basic essentials on hand, you should be able to determine what is the issue and if it warrants a vet call or if you can handle it yourself.
The very first thing one should do once you own livestock, is invest in a good relationship with a local livestock vet. Usually they are mobile, and a good way to establish that relationship, is to invite the vet out for a "herd health check" BEFORE you have any pressing issues. A good time to do this is springtime or fall, when they might need a vaccination or a deworming, depending on the vet's recommendation after checking out your herd.
Then, this will usually suffice as the beginning of them officially being YOUR vet, and now you can call on them for health related items such as vaccines, pain relief, and antibiotics. The great thing is, often they are willing to sell you the item you need in individual doses if you have a small herd.
I will list my first aid stuff I keep on hand below, but know I have been advised or trained by my vet to administer these things first, and have had practice. A good knowledgeable mentor is also helpful.
Here is what I keep on hand year round in the animal's "medicine cabinet".
- Thermometer
- Bloat-Ease
- Blood Stop
- Vitamin B Complex
- Probiotics
- Stress-aid
- Metacam
- ketamalt (contains 5 sources of sugars/starches: including propylene glycol)
- iodine
- purple spray or silver spray
- thiamine
- Dewormer
- Cylence (topical parasite treatment)
- Broad spectrum antibiotic (I have biomycin and Penicillin)
- Vaccines
- syringes (I keep 1ml, 3 ml, 5ml on hand)
- needles (I keep 18g, 20g, and 22g).
- oral drenching gun
- flex fit bandages
- clippers
- hoof trimmers
- brush
- lice comb
If an animal seems "off" ... here are some things I check, and the questions I ask myself. Be sure to record the answers to these questions, as it will be what the vet asks if you decide to call them.
-Observe: is the animal eating? Are they peeing and pooping normally?
-Take their temperature. 38-39 celsius is normal. (101.5 to 103.5f).
-Then, check their poop. Is it diarrhea? what colour is it? is there something in it abnormal (blood, tape worm segments?). If seeming normal, I move on.
-Then, check their nostrils. Are they clear? Is their nose running? Is it clear or greenish?
-observe their stomach: is it ruminating? (signs of this are chewing cud, active rumbling sound, movement from the stomach)
-is the animal walking around normally? no lameness, tripping, dizziness
-if the animal lays down and won't get up, this is the time to call a vet.
When you have a sick animal, try to isolate them from the rest of the herd as soon as you notice, by putting them in a warm dry stall with fresh, luke warm water, hay, and some scratchy stuff to nibble on such as fir branches, raspberries or blackberry branches.
The above items in my first aid kit are things we use often enough with our large herd and flock of animals that it warrants keeping them in stock. Even so, when given the option of buying the bottle, I always ask the expiry date and note the dosage and price, and then see if it is something I feel makes sense to carry or should I just come back for a dose if I need it again.
I hope you found this helpful, and don't hesitate to ask if you have any questions. I have found some great facebook groups and online communities that can be very helpful. The only thing is you have to take the advice all in to perspective, and see what makes the most sense for your animal. Everyone may have varying opinions, and it is not the best idea to throw everything at an animal all at once. So, if ever in doubt, call that vet.
I do know that there are certain areas and circumstances where the vet is not able to come or is not in your area, and having these things on hand could help save a life.
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