How to Give Glucosamine to Goats

Goats can suffer from painful joints just like humans. Fortunately, they can also take some human supplements to help. Glucosamine may help with the associated pain and inflammation of swollen joints due to arthritis. However, it isn't easy to convince a goat to simply chew a tablet. Fortunately, it isn't too difficult to get him to take his medicine either.

Things You'll Need

• Glucosamine tablet or capsule
• Spoon
• Water
• Drenching syringe/Feeding syringe

Instructions

1. Crush the glucosamine tablet into a powder using a spoon. If using a capsule, open the capsule. The dose should be the same as for a human, given to your goat once a day.

2. Mix the glucosamine powder with water until fairly dissolved or suspended in the water. Use enough water to fill a syringe.

3. Draw the water-glucosamine mix into a syringe. A metal tipped drenching syringe/feeding syringe works best. Cup the goat's mouth under his chin to gain control, and hold his head slightly elevated. If need be, use your body to exert some control and pressure from the side. Insert the syringe into the side of the goat's mouth, past the tongue and a little further than the back teeth. It will go back pretty far, but don't go far enough that you are ramming it down his throat.

4. Squirt in the liquid. Press down on the syringe plunger in a smooth motion. Watch for signs that the goat is swallowing the mixture. Withdraw the syringe.

Tips & Warnings

• Instead of plain glucosamine, consider using a glucosamine-chondroitin supplement with MSM.

References

• About Glucosamine
• Glucosamine for Goats
• Fias Co Farm on Glucosamine for CAE

Resources

• Glucosamine Tablets
• Glucosamine/Chondroitin Capsules
• Molly's Herbals for Goats