Well, it's been 3 days since my goat started limping. It is now apparent that it is a hoof problem, one of her toes is redish (she's white) and very sore. There is a small amount of clearish yellow fluid oozing from where her hoof meets the skin. I've been reading obout foot rot and scald, so I soaked her foot in an Iodine solution for a few minutes, then applied Koppertox to the entire area, both toes. It seems as though the sore toe is softer than normal in the heel area. Does foot scald sometimes affect just one foot? I always thought these things would occur in both front feet. Any ideas on if that is what this may be, or how to best treat it? Should I start her on LA 200 or something?

-- Sharon in AL (Sharonspaws@aol.com), January 20, 2002

Answers

Sounds like she has an abscess. And I will pass on giving info since we have never dealt with one before. Would get the ooze cleaned out, keep it dry, perhaps someone that has dealt the a hoof abscess with a horse would know? Vicki

-- Vicki McGaugh TX (vickilonesomedoe@hotmail.com), January 20, 2002.

With a horse, you would want the abscess to drain so you would trim down the hoof until you reached the abscess (big oozing and mess). Clean it up then treat as a foot wound. Clean it up a couple times a day and make sure it isn't re-abscessing. You might also want to treat with a course of injectable antibiotic. Make sure, if possible, that the animal stays in a clean, dry area for awhile until the wound heals over. With foot rot and scald, the bottom of the hoof would be soft and stinky.

-- Sheryl in ME (radams@sacoriver.net), January 20, 2002.

It could be foot scald, although that normally appears between the hoof and looks very raw and reddened.And yes,it can affect just one hoof. If it is, this is what I do with my sheep. I clean the area well with mild soap and water, soak well with a zinc sulfate solution, available commercially as Dr. Naylors hoof 'n Heel Solution, put some carded wool or cotton gauze pads between the hoof, soak all well with the zinc sulfate, put a plastic sandwich bag over, wrap all up with vet wrap tape, which is self clinging and leave on for a few days, checking to see that its not too tight. I also give an injection of LA200, subcutaneous as its very irritating to tissues, just one time. The LA200 can be repeated in 3 days if she is still limping.Sometimes I just put a little bagbalm ointment between the hoof for very mild cases and that seems to give instant relief. Now these are all sheep remedies, but I think could work as well in goats. Correct me if I am wrong Vicky.

-- Kate henderson (kate@sheepyvalley.com), January 21, 2002.

Give here the LA.Soak her foot in 1/4 cup to 1 quart of bleach to warm water daily and keep her in a dry area. Terry

-- Terry Lipe (elipe@fidnet.com), January 21, 2002.