In terms of approved-use products and extra-label-use products, the veterinarian gives owners no ability to change dosages or to change target species, however they do give that ability… as of just about six years ago, they officially gave that to veterinarians. So what that means, for instance, Ivermectin is not a label-use product for use in goats for parasitism. It is in sheep but not in goats. Technically a veterinarian needs to prescribe that product for your goat and to prescribe the correct dose and then what we’re responsible for when we prescribe those drugs is making sure the animals are individually identified and making sure that an adequate withdrawal time is covered so that when that animal if it goes to slaughter, which is not a common endpoint for pygmy goats perhaps, but that animal will be free of drug residues at that point.

Tammy: Well and it also sounds like it would be important for somebody with a pet pygmy goat if their vet prescribes medication that they follow the directions exactly.

Dr. Olcott: Oh critical. Absolutely. And that’s just like with people there’s all sorts of half-use medicine prescription drugs in the cabinet because you got better and you decided you didn’t need that other half of the prescription and usually that’s not true. You may feel better but you’re not completely better yet and it’s always best to follow those directions to the tee.

Tammy: Or you end up with something resistant and I’ve talked to a couple of vets who’ve talked about resistant worms in goats.

Dr. Olcott: Yeah a huge problem.

Tammy: Okay. Well tell me a little bit about how long you’ve worked on pygmy goats and a little bit about your experience with that.
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