Lump Jaw-Goat???

[kaylee's poultry place]

Hi, My Billy goat is Hillbilly. Hillbilly has a abscess on his jaw. I want to pop it or help. But unfortunately he is stinky and kinda of wild. Any idea of how to hold him down or help? I think it is getting better but can't tell.

 

[LJoWilly]

Hi Kaylee, it sounds like your goats may have CL, Caseous Lymphadenitis. I had a wethered goat named "Knothead " who had it. He lived to be 13 yrs old before I had him put down, due to old age.
I must say I believe it is contagious, but I never seen another lump on any of my other goats.
Best wishes.
Leanna

 

[Zoomie]

The abscess could be a normal one... it is not always CL. However, just to check and make sure, you might want to take him to a vet to check it for you. They can stick a needle in it and if they can draw out normal pus it is probably OK. Then it would need to be lanced and cleaned and he'd have to have a course of antibiotics. If it is CL, what is inside the abscess will be very thick, like cheese. CL stands for Caseous lymphadenitis with "Caseous" meaning "cheese-like". This is a bad disease and if he has it, you want to be certain you don't spread what is inside his abscess around your place because it IS contagious.

As to how to restrain him, I can suggest the head lock on a milking stand, that works well, or the head lock people use for showing Boers or sheep, other than that get a collar on him and use that. Ask for help and try and get several people together to restrain him, if he has horns be really careful no one gets hurt. They can get you good with those horns. Even if you take him to the vet, you will still need to be able to restrain him so you can give the antibiotics. Maybe he will need to be kept in a stall or a small pen that is easier to catch him in, while he is getting his medical treatments.

 

[cassie]

I have had a LOT of experience with abscesses in general and CL in particular. I treated all abscesses the same, CL or not. Contrary to what people tell you, including many professionals, CL isn't really all that big a deal. The primary way CL is spread is through pus. In other words, no pus, no spread. It is VERY important that an abscess never be allowed to burst out in the barns and corrals and expose and infect other goats. Years ago, like many breeders at the time, I had CL in my herd. I eradicated it even though I did not separate the CL positive goats from the CL negative ones. Your best bet is to assume all abscesses are CL and treat them accordingly. If you want to know detailed instructions on how to treat abscesses PM me.