When you're raising livestock there are often times when you can't call a vet. It's also not always feasible when you have to consider the return for your money. While you may feel that the animal is a pet and deserves to go to the vet no matter what, the reality is that its not always the best choice to take an animal that is worth less then the vets visit. For example a $20 meat rabbit would cost much more then $20 to cure at the vet and most vets don't see rabbits anyway. There is less research and medicine available for animals like goats and rabbits then there is for dogs, cats and horses. Part of the reason is because there is typically more money to be made in the veterinary field for pets. Another reason is that the veterinary drug companies don't get as large a return on the research and manufacture of drugs for goats, chickens and rabbits.
So what is a person to do when faced with a sick animal and there is no vet available or you determine that the trip to the vet is too much to offset the value of the animal? Of course you want to do everything possible to save or cure the animal. What people who raise animals as part of a meat program usually do is learn to take care of those animals themselves. Often that includes a trip to the vet for direction and help but other times it means you are on your own.
I have had to learn to give injections, oral medication, set bones, sew cuts and often diagnose the problem with sick animals. I have a relationship with the vet so that he will sometimes show me what to do and then I take it from there at home. Most times I have seen it before and I am able to go it alone without the vet. I have a stack of books that I refer to when faced with a problem. No book covers every species or every illness so over time I have had to build a library of books to help with caring for animals. I consider those books a valuable investment and resource and recommend that anyone who wants to raise animals as part of a self sufficient homestead endeavor to have books to help. Whether its information printed from the Internet or in a hard bound book, information is a lifesaver. Animal care books can be expensive so many of mine were bought used which is fine.
Other items I have collected over time and consider part of my animal care supplies are all kept together in one place. I have a large tool box filled with supplies as well as a shelf in the goat shed with supplies. The same supplies are used for various animals but are kept together in one place so they are easier to keep organized and stocked. The following is a list of supplies that I keep on hand. I'm sure I will leave a few things out and other people will have other must have items to add.
I collect old towels, sheets and blankets from friends and family. I also buy them used at yard sales and thrift stores when they are cheap. They can be used for bedding or padding as well as bandages.
I also collect cages/carriers when I find them since often an animal needs to be quarantined from the rest of the animals for safety, warmth, closer care from me and also to keep other animals from catching whatever is being treated.
The tool box contains many syringes in various sizeas and styles as well as the needles for them. Often a syringe is used without the needle to administer a medication by mouth. They are handy for more then just injections and can be washed and reused if they are used for something like giving wormer or oral antibiotics. If they are being used for injections then you will need a new needle every time.
The box also includes several good surgical pairs of scissors, hemostats, tweezers, scalpels (disposable and reusable), prethreaded sutures, trocar, mastitis test cards, bottle nipples for bottle feeding goat kids and other animals, glass slides for microscope, feeding tubes and pill administering tools. Finally, that box contains a thermometer and a stethoscope.
In another box I have castrating bands and tool, teeth clippers, calf and kid pullers,various hoof trimming tools and regular scissors.
On the shelves I have gauze, vet wrap bandages, cotton balls, qtips, cotton string, surgical gloves, small plastic medicine cups, two glasses for measuring like used for mixed drinks or labs, microscope, alcohol, bentadine, triadine, OB wash and lube, therabloat, kaolin pectate, tums, milk of magnesia, activated charcoal, powdered kid milk, wormers (seldom used), various shelf stable medications both oral and injectible, bag balm, blue kote, wound clotting powder, sevin dust, kitten flea powder, scales, weigh tapes,leg splints,Power punch, probiotics, keto drench, keto test strips, calcium drench, drenching syringes, collars, harnesses, leashes and animal crackers.
Seems like alot of stuff but for the most part much of it goes unused. Much of it is for just in case of an emergency and some of it is for once a year use or reusable year after year. I did not go out and buy everything at once. I built my supplies up over time. I rotate them out. Almost all of the supplies are available online from animal supply companies. Things like syringes are inexpensive and can be bought in boxes of 50 or 100 or so which makes them cheaper. If you spend a certain amount, shipping is often cheaper or free so that is makes sense to throw a couple extra scalpels or other small supplies on the order to get the free shipping.
I didn't list individual antibiotics or medicines because there are hundreds of medicines available and depending on which type of animal you are raising it will make a difference what you will order. There are multi species Antibiotics and other medicines as well as medicines that treat multiple illnesses. There are no medicines designed for rabbits and typically if it is used for a cat it is safe for a rabbit. The same is true about goats. There are more medicines for sheep then goats and if it is safe for sheep is is often safe for goats BUT anything with copper in it including feed is NOT safe for sheep.
When you are preparing for a time with no veterinarian and you want to have pets or livestock as part of that plan then be sure to remember their medical care as part of that plan. Many of the items in the animal stockpile also has the benefit of being the same as those used for humans. Plan properly and you can have a suitable med kit for everyone. Do your research and be sure to print out directions for each medicine and piece of equipment you plan to use and you should be well prepared for whatever medical emergency you are faced with.
Southern Wood Elf