Goat with a Lump

[ckbrigade]

I have a question regarding what this lump may be. I am not sure how long it has been on this doe but I noticed it a few days ago. It has not changed in size and is has hard as rock! I don't feel fluid around it and I can't move the lump. She has not lost any hair on the lump.

I am completely new to goats and have searched everything and am completely overwhelmed with all the information-especially regarding CL. I feel like I should prepare myself if the results come back as CL positive. I do not know if the previous owner did testing ( something I know to do next time!) so I am unaware if this was an issue in their herd.

She is currently pregnant and I just wormed them 3 months ago and then wormed the other day (just in case that is an issue). Any advice is appreciated! The lump in is under her chin in the picture kinda where the neck and jaw meet.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Could be a simple abscess from a puncture wound, or could be CL, which I would suspect because of the location.

 

[EliyaSage]

First thing that comes to mind is an early tumor. If it's new it may not have lost the fur on it. I am not sure but i think you should definitely set up a check-up with a veterinarian that covers farm animals.
Don't get scared, i know nothing about tumors, i am completely guessing! No need to loose sleep over it but i do suggest you get her a check-up sooner than later.
-Let me know if you find out anything or if the vet says something. It might be useful to know what it is if one of my goats got one, Or if i come across someone else with the same problem i'd know how to help or be able to suggest something.

 

[EliyaSage]

Could be a simple abscess from a puncture wound, or could be CL, which I would suspect because of the location.

This person seems like they know what their talking about, Listen to them, ignore me. LOL!

 

[cassie]

If it turns out to be CL, PM me. Don't panic. Contrary to what people may tell you, including some young vets, a diagnoses of CL is not the knell of doom and to euthanize a goat simply because it is positive for CL is not necessary. I can tell you how to deal with CL and how to prevent the spread to other animals in the herd, if any. When I first started raising goats over 40 years ago, CL was so common just about every herd in my area had it to some degree. We all got rid of it and it wasn't all that hard to do so either. The lump looks like an abscess. Not all, or even most abscesses are CL. When I had to deal with an abscess I didn't care it it was CL or not. I treated all abscesses the same.

 

[cassie]

I treated all abscesses the same. As to how long it takes for the abscess to ripen, if indeed it is an abscess, is variable. It can be days, weeks, or even months. Yes, you lance it when it is soft and squishy and clean it out with iodine. However, you want to do it in such a way that the other goat(s) are not exposed to the pus. If you want to know exactly how, PM me and I will tell you in painstaking detail how to take care of any abscess.

A lot of things besides CL can cause abscesses. Things like a small puncture that got infected, a grass awn, etc. can do it. For the record, that lump may not even be an abscess. Time will tell.

 

[EliyaSage]

Good luck ckbrigade! Praying everything works out

 

[cassie]

It won't keep filling up if you clean it out right. When I lanced abscesses, I used a razor blade and made a fairly large incision. I wanted to be able to clean it out well. After I expressed all the pus I could into paper towels (which were later burned) I used a hose and washed the abscess out really well. After the water drained off, I poured in a generous amount of 7% iodine and sloshed it around. You could use peroxide for the same purpose. Then I puffed in Wonderdust. Wonderdust is found in the horse aisle of the livestock supply. Among other things it contains alum and it does a fine job of drying up the abscess and promoting healing. The next day I opened the abscess and repeated the iodine/Wonderdust treatment. I did this every day as needed until the abscess was healed. In your case, enlarge the opening a bit, express any pus, and pour in peroxide. Unseal the abscess and pour in the peroxide daily. It is important that the abscess heal from the inside out. Otherwise it will just seal over and form another abscess.

 

[BantamLover21]

Could be a simple abscess from a puncture wound, or could be CL, which I would suspect because of the location.

I agree.

 

[ckbrigade]

Thank you Everyone! Not having any experience with goats and reading everywhere that CL means a 'death sentence' is overwhelming. Cassie, I loved that you are so positive about it managing and dealing with it (I will definitely get advice from you on what to do if its CL!!). I get why some breeders need to do what they have to do but she is too much of a sweet heart to think about doing that!! We only have two goats so I feel like it will be a lot easier to manage then if I had more. They both are pregnant and the kids will be going to another herd once they are weaned so that only adds to the stress. Good thing I love these goats.....lol

Someone had mentioned that this could possibly be an Iodine deficiency and to try Iodine on the tail. Which I did and will check tomorrow. That would be pretty simple fix if it is only that??

I will update on the results of the test!! Thanks-you!