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The Vitamins
Vitamins
can be harmed by a number of factors. It is important to know that
all vitamins are destroyed by light and by the use of mineral laxatives
such as liquid paraffin; these should never be used under any circumstances.
Olive oil or sunflower oil used for cooking are perfectly good laxatives
which do not have this effect. Antibiotics can also destroy vitamins,
especially vitamin K. Behind every vitamin deficiency there is usually
a mineral shortfall and these will be discussed in the following
section which examines the relationship between vitamins and minerals.
Vitamin
A (Retinol)
Vitamin
A is essential for the health of any animal. The health of the skin,
eyes and reproductive tract — all depend on this vitamin. Deficiency
signs can be a harsh staring coat, failure to conceive, reabsorption
of the fetus, uterine ill health, death of the kids within nine
days of birth, especially if deficiency is widespread, and ophthalmia
(pink eye, sandy blight), genital and urinary tract infections,
lack of resistance to interior parasites and, on occasion, cancer.
Beta carotene is the precursor of vitamin A and can be used where
small doses are needed. Like vitamin A, it is especially useful
topically for eye problems (see Chapter 11).
Normally
vitamin A is obtained from well grown green stuff and is stored
in the liver, thus ensuring a supply through the long, dry months
of summer. But prolonged drought, interference due to hormone treatment,
or electrical disturbances such as those mentioned below can all
mean that the supply will not last the goat through the dry months.
If the green feed is grown with chemicals, only 72 percent of the
available minerals and vitamins will be present (research done in
the United Kingdom). Well harvested, organically grown hay would
be the ideal, but no matter how well grown, badly made hay with
no green color is lacking in vitamin A.
All
animals need a period of darkness every 24 hours, otherwise they
cannot synthesize vitamin A properly. Occasionally this inability
can be a inheritable factor and should a goat be consistently deficient
in vitamin A, when others are not, it would be wise to cull her.
Other
reasons for difficulty in synthesizing vitamin A are overhead power
lines and hormone treatments. The latter have to be used occasionally
and have their place, but farmers must take into account the fact
that the goat will need extra vitamin A supplementation — regular
dosing with cod liver-oil or A and D emulsion would be the easiest
way to give it to dairy stock. Intramuscular, high-potency injections
can be used in herd situations (occasionally they set up sores at
the injection site). Steroids have also been found to inhibit vitamin
A, as well as assimilation of calcium and magnesium. However they
should not figure in goat husbandry.
In
Goat Husbandry, David Mackenzie’s excellent work, he states
that cod liver oil as such should not be given to goats as it can
induce vitamin E deficiencies. But Mackenzie did not live in a country
where these shortfalls are quite frequent; Australian goat keepers
have often had to depend on cod liver oil as it was the only available
supplement. It was certainly better than none at all and produced
no ill effects, except possibly a slight lowering of butterfat levels
just after administration — do not give it just before a milk test.
This
vitamin is destroyed by light, it should always be marketed in opaque
containers. Do not add it to drinking water where the light will
destroy it. It is best put in feed that is going to be eaten immediately.
Vitamin
B Complex
This
is a range of B vitamins, all of which are needed for good health
— lack of most B vitamins can be directly linked to low magnesium
in the diet. Ideally, adequate amounts of all B vitamins should
be obtained from well grown feed, grains in particular (unmilled).
In theory, parts of the B complex should only be given with a B
complex supply, this applies to humans, but as animals normally
obtain their B complex from their feed, this complex need not be
given. Very few B vitamin deficiencies will arise if dolomite (for
the magnesium) is fed regularly.
Vitamin
B1, Thiamine
Vitamin
B1 is a water-soluble injection, usually in 50 ml bottles. A deficiency
of this vitamin can be very serious, signs are lethargy, staggering
and lateral incoordination followed by blindness and death within
72 hours. B1 is destroyed by thiaminase which occurs in molds, either
from moldy fodder (very dusty feed is often due to dried mold) or
moldy paddock feed.
Vitamin
B1 is obtainable as an intramuscular injection in 50 ml bottles
from a chemist or feed store. Each ml of injectable B1 should contain
125 mg of thiamine. Assuming that this is so, doses of 6.6 to 11
mg per half pound of body weight should be given every six hours.
Generally one dose brings relief but occasionally two or three are
necessary.
Feeds
very high in carbohydrates can increase the need for vitamin B1.
In France where goats are heavily hand fed, the addition of 60 mg
of dietary thiamine daily is recommended. Occasionally an unexplained
malaise that shows no clinical signs of B1 deficiency and does not
respond to vitamin C or B12 will clear up quite fast when two to
three cc of B1 is injected.
Vitamin
B5, Calcium Pantothenate, Pantothenic Acid
B5
is found in barley and if that grain is fed, whole and soaked as
recommended, there should not be a shortfall. B5 is needed for a
healthy immune system and should be obtained from well grown feed.
Vitamin B5 and vitamin C together ensure that the adrenal glands
function correctly — doing their task of maintaining the output
of natural cortisone — which is very important.
B5
is therefore a necessary part of the B Complex. A deficiency can
occur through poor nutrition. It is not obtainable as an injection
at present. Should it be needed, 500 mg tablets (or lesser amounts)
can be obtained from a pharmacy or health shop. This can be used
as an added aid in combatting severe illness, 400 to 500 mg daily
crushed up would be sufficient.
Vitamin
B6, Pyridoxine
This
part of the B complex is helpful against herpes infections. For
those who show, vitamin B6 is a preventative against travel sickness
(not necessarily tetany, that is a magnesium problem) and could
be useful. About 250 mg of crushed up tablets in the feed the night
before travelling is usually enough.
Vitamin
B12, Cyanocobalamin
Both
iron and cobalt are synthesized into B12 in the gut. In the case
of a cobalt deficiency (check section on cobalt), it is necessary
to restore the balance initially by intramuscular injection of B12,
the oral route will not work until this has been done. This is because,
in healthy animals, this synthesis is controlled by what has been
called the intrinsic factor. In cases of deficiency, sickness or
the administration of antibiotics, this factor ceases to work and
must be reactivated by injected B12 before oral cobalt can be utilized.
B12 has a tonic effect on goats, from newborn kids that are off
color to high-milking does that are a little low — all seem to respond
to the vitamin.
David
Mackenzie was a great advocate of this part of the B complex. He
considered that its effects far outweighed the normal reasons for
its administration and was hopeful that one day further research
would be carried out on the vitamin (I hope so too).
Lack
of copper (because it is needed to utilize iron) and cobalt can
both be indirect causes of a B12 deficiency.
It
should be a rule that if any drugs — especially antibiotics — have
to administered, an intramuscular B12 injection is given at the
same time. Many antibiotics and drugs seem to upset the gut flora
and B12 helps to restore them. As this, like other injectable B
vitamins and vitamin C, is water soluble, all three can, if necessary,
be drawn up into the same syringe thus avoiding the necessity for
three different injections. For this reason there is also no risk
of an overdose, any excess is thrown off by the body.
Vitamin
B15, Pangamic Acid
This
is obtainable as an injection and occasionally in tablet form. It
is a great help in restoring liver function after an illness or
the administration of drugs. I would include one cc in the daily
B vitamin injections of any sick animal for as long as necessary.
Vitamin
C, Ascorbate, Ascorbic Acid, Sodium Ascorbate, Potassium Ascorbate,
Calcium Ascorbate
Make
sure when buying injectable vitamin C that it is 500 mg to a ml
or two ml to a gram. It is important to make certain any supply
is at this strength.
Any
or all of the names above are used to denote various forms of vitamin
C. This vitamin is synthesized in the liver of all animals (excepting
cavies, some monkeys, passiform parrots and humans) from green feed
especially, but all fodder (unless irradiated) should contribute
to its production. Goats make approximately 10 to 15 grams a day.
Vitamin
C is absolutely essential for life, the health of the collagen round
the joints, spinal discs, the manufacture of cortisone (with vitamin
B5) by the adrenal glands — all depend on this vitamin. Without
Vitamin C the animal could not maintain its health. Under stress
of any kind — sickness, travelling, disease conditions and immunizations
— vitamin C is depleted faster than it can be replaced (see Chapter
11 regarding immunizations). A heaped teaspoon a day is a good maintenance
dose for a goat at risk.
At
present, vitamin C is the only known substance that controls viral
attacks. One well known dog vet (Wendell Bellfield in California)
uses it in mega doses to cure viral diseases in dogs. He gives up
to 200 grams on occasion. The vitamin is a great detoxifier; many
poisons, especially those of animal origin like snake, spider and
tick bites are all cured by vitamin C — the kind of snake is immaterial
— a great advantage. Cancer is also controlled by large doses, either
orally or by injection, but here one must bear in mind that because
the animal makes its own supply as well, the cure is, so to speak,
backed up and works surprisingly fast.
Ascorbate
powder (or crushed up tablets in emergency) can be given by mouth;
sodium ascorbate can be broken down with saline or distilled water
for intravenous or intramuscular injections, or given by mouth.
One heaped teaspoon of sodium ascorbate equals five grams. The only
recorded effect of an overdose is diarrhea, and I have never seen
it in a sick animal, in spite of some very high doses. For bad cases
of scouring, possibly due to disease, oral vitamin C and dolomite
mixed together often bring relief very quickly. Sodium ascorbate,
which is virtually tasteless, can be mixed with milk when needed
for kids. Goats generally react quite badly for 30-40 seconds to
intramuscular injections of vitamin C — if the goat shows no sign
of pain at all, it is very sick. This is actually a good yardstick
for recovery. When the animal starts to object, one can usually
change to oral doses because it is starting to recover. Blackleg
appears to be the only exception to this, the injection is very
painful at any stage. In Chapter 11 amounts needed for various conditions
will be given.
Vitamin
D, Cholecalciferol
Vitamin
D is synthesized on the skin from sunlight and is also found in
well grown feed. Light skinned goats absorb it more readily than
dark skinned ones, which is why the latter do better in areas where
the hours of strong sunlight are longest (they cannot get an overdose).
Light skinned goats can also be prone to cancer or heat exhaustion
in tropical areas.
This
vitamin is essential for bone growth and rickets is a deficiency
disease due to lack of vitamin D which is also needed for the correct
absorption of calcium and magnesium. In nature, vitamin D is always
found bonded with vitamin A and on its own it can be highly toxic
and is best avoided. Fish liver products, A, D and E emulsions or
injections can all be used.
Feed
that is too high in phosphates can depress vitamin D. A and D preparations
must be stored in light-proof containers.
Vitamin
E, Tocopherol
This
vitamin is essential because it plays a great role in healing, fertility
and general good health. It is totally destroyed by excess iron,
which is why iron tonics should only be used in an emergency and
for a short term. Supplementary oral vitamin E is very expensive;
horse suppliers usually handle the powder so it can only be used
sparingly unless essential. Vitamin A, D and E as well as vitamin
E on its own as injections are probably the cheapest way of administering
it.
Vitamin
E deficiencies should not really arise in goats, as it is found
in all well grown grains, especially wheat. But as it is destroyed
by milling, old age and rancidity (which too often is not even apparent)
the food source can be lacking. Raw, fresh wheat germ could
be used in an emergency.
As
mentioned in the section on selenium, the two are bonded in some
way — selenium deficiencies and muscular dystrophy-type conditions
all respond to vitamin E in the short term. The healing powers of
vitamin E are particularly useful in cases of lung damage, where
vitamin E can restore an accelerated breathing rate to almost near
normal.
Vitamin
H, Para Amino Benzoic Acid (PABA)
Until
the middle 1980s this vitamin was referred to as a member of the
B complex, but it has now been reclassified. PABA would not often
be needed by the goat farmer unless an animal was suffering from,
or likely to suffer from, sunburn — usually on the udder. It has
great sunburn preventative properties and helps with the utilization
of folic acid in the gut.
It
is obtainable in tablet form, 200 to 500 mg could be crushed up
and put in the feed — about 250 mg a day would be enough for a goat.
PABA is also obtainable in sun-barrier creams which could be used
on susceptible udders. This, of course, applies only to goats whose
skin is not dark enough, the desirability for tan skins has already
been stressed.
Vitamin
K, Menadione
Vitamin
K for coagulation of the blood is normally found in all green stuffs,
particularly alfalfa. A deficiency should not arise in a normally
fed goat. But, it is destroyed by irradiation and at the time of
writing, irradiation of fodder is being suggested as a feasible
preservative. Should this become the case, fodder thus treated should
be avoided and the vet consulted if there is any likelihood of a
vitamin K shortfall.
Using
Herbal, Homeopathic & Natural Remedies
There
are a number of excellent herbal books on the market — Juliette
de Bairacli-Levy’s Herbal Handbook for Farm and Stable is
one of the best. One must remember when reading her work that all
of it was done in countries where herbs grew in the pasture and
woods naturally and rainfall was on the whole regular and plentiful.
I
turned to vitamins and minerals as they were always obtainable when
animals were off color. Mrs. Grieve’s Herbal is another book
which I found useful because she often gives the mineral or other
make-up of the herb and one can use this in place of the actual
plant when the plant is unavailable. Homeopathy is now being used
quite extensively and so are Bach Flower Remedies and acupuncture;
there are good books on all three — study them. Look for a vet who
uses all modalities including drugs occasionally when necessary,
although this does not happen too often. Below are just a few of
the items that I have used personally and successfully with animals.
Aloe
Vera
This
is a plant of the cactus family that grows naturally in parts of
Australia and the United States. Those lucky enough to have the
actual plant often use the leaves directly, otherwise it is obtainable
in liquid, ointment or gel form. Care should always be taken with
any creams and mixtures from plant or other sources, always checking
to see that they have not been scented or added to — the original
is always best. Aloe vera can be fed or used externally, I tried
the latter on a badly ulcerated wound I had in a buck goat that
I bought with severe foot rot. The feet were easy enough to deal
with, but the ulcer which was near the hock was of a long-standing
and very obstinate nature. After trying anything and everything
without success, the aloe vera effected healing in three days.
Apple
Cider Vinegar
This
simple and easily obtainable liquid is invaluable anywhere potassium
is often found in short supply. It contains natural potassium in
a safe form. It should always be bought in bulk and unpasteurized.
Nowadays the demand is such that nearly all fodder stores sell unpasteurized
cider vinegar in bulk and it is often grown without chemicals as
well. The pasteurized variety is not popular with animals, nor is
it so effective.
Feeding
quantities of apples as such can lead to digestive problems in any
stock, but they will tolerate cider vinegar in large amounts and
it is wholly beneficial — a quickly assimilated source of potassium
as well as other trace minerals. When I first read one of Dr. Jarvis’
many books on cider vinegar, I did as he instructed and left a container
for the animals to help themselves. It may have worked in Maine
where the deficiencies were not so great, but I could not afford
to continue it ad lib in Australia.
Cider
vinegar maintains the correct pH in the body, which is probably
one of the reasons it is so useful. Because of its potassium content,
it is invaluable for all animals coming up to breeding. Potassium
deficiencies cause blood vessel constriction, affecting the extremities
and it seems the cervix and uterus in the final stages of pregnancy;
dystokia is the result. I first used cider vinegar on my milking
goat herd after a season of very difficult births. The next year
I was amazed at the difference, even the largest kids from maiden
does arrived relatively easily and in very good health. Many stock
owners and human mothers have observed similar effects.
Cider
vinegar helps prevent bruising and assists the tissues to recover
from exertion. Given regularly to stud males, it will help prevent
urinary calculi and this is especially useful if your male stock
is limited to hard water — as is the case on many properties in
Australia. Cider vinegar added to feed twice a week would be sufficient
to stop stones in the urethra or kidneys and prevention is certainly
better than cure for this dangerous condition. A dessertspoon twice
a week would be enough for most animals.
It
can also be used as a mild cure for skin conditions like ringworm
when it is too close to the eyes to use a copper wash; rubbing it
in well two or three times a day for a couple of days is usually
enough. Those wishing to learn more about cider vinegar should read
any of Dr. Jarvis’ very interesting little books on cider vinegar.
There are various editions available.
Arnica
Montana
This
is a perennial herb that grows in the mountains of Europe and it
is now being cultivated successfully in Australia and other countries.
It is best used in homeopathic tinctures, pillules and ointments
which are generally available in health shops — as always, make
certain the product does not contain additives. In homeopathic form
it is an excellent painkiller. I have used it postoperatively with
astonishing results by normal rules. The dog concerned had no idea
she’d had an operation and did not try to scratch or lick the site
at all. It seems to have a healing effect as well as the dog in
question has no scar from an operation to remove a salivary gland
that needed about 14 stitches and drainage tubes.
In
common with vitamin C, arnica is good for shock or trauma. Another
case involved an unconscious dog whose owner, trying to stop a fight,
hit it with a heavy stick. The dog recovered within three minutes
of placing the arnica under its tongue. A book on veterinary homeopathy
recommends that it is the first mode of treatment in all cases,
as it calms the patient completely. Available from homeopathic doctors
and hopefully vets, as well as health shops, 200 C is the potency
most often used for animals.
Comfrey
Because
it helped heal broken bones, knit-bone was the old folk name for
comfrey. It is a broad-leafed plant that grows quite readily in
damp, cool areas. It will not thrive without plenty of water. Unfortunately,
comfrey tends to die back in the winter, but can sometimes be kept
going in a sheltered frame where it is protected from frosts. In
spite of much publicity to the contrary, it is completely safe both
internally and externally. In many parts of Germany and also Japan,
comfrey is used exclusively for dairy cattle fodder during the summer
months as it is highly nutritious. Comfrey is also of great assistance
when used internally or topically for bone problems, including breaks.
It is one of the few plants that contains natural vitamin B12 which
may be one of the reasons why it is so good in the case of sickness.
Comfrey may be used in poultices and will often reduce bony swellings
in a matter of days. It may be made into an ointment or used as
a liquid obtained by boiling the leaves. Distilled comfrey oil is
the best source of the plant, if obtainable. All forms are useful
at some time or other. The plant also has the reputation as an inhibitor
of cancer. Like many plants it has a poison (in this case an alkaloid)
constituent which if separated from the plant could be dangerous,
however fed as a plant it is safe.
The
best way to feed comfrey is to offer a few leaves once or twice
a week to goats that are stall fed, they appear to find it very
palatable.
Emu
Oil
This
is now readily obtainable from chemists, fodder stores and breeders
as well. It is one of the by-products of emu farming. The oil should
be odorless with no additives; it is quickly absorbed through the
skin and is very helpful in cases of deep-seated injury. In horses
it has reduced bony swellings in the same manner as comfrey.
Garlic
This
is an onion-like plant that will grow very prolifically if kept
damp and well fed. Either the bulbs or the chopped leaves may be
given. It is also available in oil-filled capsules or tablet form
or in bags already chopped for addition to fodder. It would be suitable
for meat or fiber goats, but there would be a risk of tainting milk
which would preclude its use in commercial dairy set-ups.
Garlic,
like onions, contains natural sulfur and sometimes reduces the incidence
of exterior parasites; it is a natural antibiotic, especially useful
in intestinal disturbances. Garlic also has the reputation of being
a vermifuge and, although it undoubtedly helps, in my experience
it cannot entirely take the place of a balanced diet with the correct
amounts of copper. In cases of sickness in any stock, persuading
them to eat garlic in some form can only be beneficial. It can be
blended or offered whole, the farmer must experiment.
Mistletoe
This
parasitic plant is a great tonic for goats, well or ill. I pull
it down from trees and feed it directly to my animals. Be warned,
it turns the urine bright red for the next 24 hours — the goats
have not developed bleeding kidneys.
Parsley
This
is a plant high in iron and vitamin A and would be an excellent
supplement for cases of acute anemia. According to Juliette de Bairacli
Levy it is also very good for edema. I had an aged doe desperately
ill with this complaint; she had a badly swollen udder which was
pulling her down rapidly (literally). In desperation I looked in
Juliette de Bairacli Levy’s book and tried the parsley she suggested.
The doe had refused all feed and was unable to move, but ate the
parsley avidly (I tried it on the other goats — they were not interested).
So I gave Catriona a bucketful, which she ate. I had not put any
feed out for her and when I came out two hours later to do the milking,
she was standing up in a state of high indignation asking for her
tea, which she promptly dispatched. The udder was almost normal
and I was able to milk her regularly from then on.
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