Just been out to the barn to examine a doe goat my son mentioned might have a problem. She is just under three years old, fresh for the second time, receiving alfalfa, prairie hay, lots of fresh water and grazing. Exhibiting no other obvious signs but a swelling a little larger than a golf ball on the left side of her anus, but a little higher on the back. We are not milking her, but her little buck is still getting some milk, according to my son. The swelling is quite firm, feels just like muscle, but is clearly not muscle. I plan to contact a vet, but any suggestions tonight? What might it be? What symptoms could I look for? What could I do in the mean time for her? Thanks for your help. While your responses are coming in, I'll contact any other resources I can. Brian

-- Brian (Scout@Kanokla.net), July 24, 2000

Answers

Brian, It could be an abcess, although that is unusual place for one. I would definitely consult a vet. Is she exhibiting any other symptoms besides. Does she seem uncomfortable? Is she Maaing a lot? Does she have a runny nose or cough or fever? If she is not uncomfortable or ill, she'll probably be fine till tomorrow. You should also make sure she is eating, ruminating, and drinking. There is no way she could be pregnant is there?

little bit Farm

-- Little bit Farm (littlebit@calinet.com), July 24, 2000.

A doe can get an abcess anywhere from rubbing her butt on a fence or tree, sticking a sticker or sliver in it and then it forming into an abcess. I doubt that this would be CL unless it was farther down near her rear udder. You don't give any shots in the rump do you? If not I would guess a sting of some sort, wasps are really bad here this year. Make sure and post back as to what it was! Vicki

-- Vicki McGaugh (vickilonesomedoe@hotmail.com), July 25, 2000.

I am 99.9 percent sure that it is an abcess.This is not a big deal unless it is a contageous abcess.If it is, it can spread within your entire herd.(Chances are that it is not...unless this is a new doe to your herd.)If you are the "squemeish type" take her to the vet... but if you are a "do-it-your-selfer" you can...watch her,and when it's ready to be cut,the hair and skin will be easy to pull off.Clean the area with Betadine... take a scalpel,make an incision all the way across it...squeeze out all the puss(it will be very messy).Look at the puss...if it's white it's non-contageous. Now if it has a greenish tint to it, it's probably contageous and the doe should be quarantined from the rest of the herd until the wound is completely healed.Whether or not it's contageous you can give penicillin G at the rate of 5cc per hundred pounds.Also after opening the abcess you should flush the area with peroxide daily until it's healed. Ensure that you do this in an area that your goat herd has no acess to.Thats' it, and good-luck.

-- doug (mrandmrsfarmer@yahoo.com), July 30, 2000.