My husband and I rescued a 4-H goat last year after having been neglected by the owner. Being a novice at goat raising, we've noticed our goat seems to be stiff and tends to limp on his right front leg - - He's also quite bloated - - Could this be worms?? Any help you could provide would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

-- lynette henson (lynettehenson@hotmail.com), November 28, 2001

Answers

Worms and bloat and stiffness/limping are not related. He could be stiff and limping from CAE, he could also have foot or hoof rot. Bloating is nutritional, so what are you feeding him? It could also be bouts of enterotoxemia, have you vaccinated him? Now the potbellied look that goats get, skinny everywhere, but the belly, is the "poster child" look of scar tissue in the intestines from untreated cocci, as a young guy. How old is the goat? Have you wormed him? Have you trimmed his feet. Neglected by the previous owner how? Is he an intact buck or wether? There is more information than you could read in days in the archives about hoof trimming, foot rot, worming and cocci. Perhaps some more information and we could help more. Vicki

-- Vicki McGaugh (vickilonesomedoe@hotmail.com), November 28, 2001.

Since it's only one leg, you might also check just to be sure he doesn't have a small stone or burr or something between his toes.

-- someone (someone@somewhere.com), November 28, 2001.