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HOOFS AND / OR SORE FEET

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Foot Rot:
Fusiformis nodosus infection enters the hoof and causes inflammation of the sensitive laminae.

Symptoms:
Lameness, mild to severe. There is a foul smell associated with it. Animals are reluctant to walk.

Treatment:
Hoof paring in order to remove the under run hoof. Apply antiseptic agents in order to remove
any infection.

Foot rot is not often seen in goats, but it may occur if animals spend considerable time in wet, unsanitary yards or barns. The first symptom is lameness, followed by a swelling of the foot that becomes hot to the touch. Carefully trim the rotten area away and the foot treated with a 10- to 30-percent copper sulfate solution or other medication prescribed by a veterinarian.

Foot rot

Foot rot is a contagious disease caused by the combination of two different bacteria, one of which cannot survive outside of the host for more than two weeks. The other is present in the environment. The infection is generally painful and is characterized by limping and signs of pockets of pus on the hoof. There is a strong, foul odor associated with foot rot.

To treat foot rot, first trim the feet so they are level and smooth (stop when you see pink in the sole, but remove loose bits from the side). Then soak the animal’s foot in a footbath containing zinc sulfate or copper sulfate or formaldehyde. Ideally, it should stand in the solution for five minutes and then move to a dry area. (The lot should include dry areas, because mud and moisture will aggravate foot rot.)

Animals that do not respond to treatment should be culled. Many producers cull animals by sending them to the sale barn: yet another reason to avoid purchasing stock there. Always observe animals with the herd before purchasing them, and do not buy any animals that limp. Quarantine all new goats for two weeks before putting them with your herd, and watch closely for signs of limping. Consult your veterinarian for assistance in treating foot rot and other diseases.

Sore footed doe There is no heat to the area, just that nasty-smelling "cheese" between the toes, up high in the junction between them……….. I have had very good luck in dissolving some Copper Sulphate crystals (got mine at the feed store in a re-sealable little bucket) in water and soaking the affected foot (feet) in that once or twice. That has usually cleared it up. It does burn so be prepared for her to jerk or kick. Wear protective eye gear so it doesn't get splashed in your eyes while treating. I made the mistake of not doing that one time....never again !!

Author: Peggy Taylor

Goat crippled on front feet It could also be Bluetongue: a viral infection spread by biting insects. It is endemic in the US, and is most common in a wet year. Keep the feet trimmed as short as you can. You may think you are seeing blood, but it is old hemorrhages in the hoof caused by the virus. The hooves become very long, hard, almost impossible to trim, and deformed looking in some cases. You just need to keep them off short, VERY short, and it will help. Most cases are not founder in goats, but just Blue tongue. Goats don't even always have it in all four feet. I use a Smith sharpener to keep my hoof trimmers razor sharp. You can get it at Academy Sporting goods in Texas, but I would think most sporting goods store would carry them. It is a diamond sharpener with a coarse side, and a fine side. You will need the hoof trimmers sharp to do it.

Author: Coni Ross

Vaccination does help. If you will clean all feet, and dip in Chlorine or spray with iodine, and scrub the foot with whichever you use, then vaccinate, and put Sulfadimethox in the water at 750 mg/goat/day for a minimum of 10 days. Booster in 14 days, and move non limping goats to an intermediate pen. Any goat that limps is moved back to sick pen, and start over. I got some goats back from a lady who was injured and the ALL came back with hoof rot. I had them hauled to a lease place that is high dry, caliches and did this to them. All were cured except for a few old chronics in 2 weeks. I vaccinated them every time they limped, even if it had only been a few days from the last vaccination. One of the last chronics had to be vaccinated 5 times, but I finally got them cured. Yearly boosters are necessary, and it would not hurt to booster if there is a prolonged time of wet weather.

Author: Coni Ross

Foot rot in goat

Foot rot is a contagious disease, caused by a mix of different bacteria with the essential one being Dichelobacter nodosus. There are two main forms of foot rot - virulent and benign, they are caused by different strains of the bacterium Dichelobacter nodosus. The bacterial infection cause varying degree of damage to the horn of the foot, leading to lameness and significant loss of body weight. The foot rot disease are two types, benign and virulent. Both have been started as inflammations seen as moisture, reddening and loss of hair between the toes. This disease is checked by the gelatin gel test (protease) measure the activity of enzyme protease, which are help to destroy the soft horn and tissue of the hoof.

Type of foot rots

Benign foot rot (U strains including mild U5 strains).
Virulent foot rot (mild “S” strain also hot U5 strains).
Virulent foot rot (more virulent “S” strains).

goat that stepped on nail:

I would treat aggressively for infection with A 10 cc SQ dose of Penicillin, 10 cc Polyserum, and Probably Nuflor. Tetanus or CD antitoxin would also help. I would repeat the Penicillin every day, and the Nuflor for 3-5 days. I have seen gangrene develop from a puncture wound of this sort, and the goat had to have one digit amputated. Look at the site of the puncture, and open it. I would clean it with peroxide and 7% Iodine mixed 50 50, and make sure the pus is out. I would open it up, to clean it, even if I had to use a scalpel or sharp tissue scissors. They can die from a puncture wound like that. Coni Coni Ross CR Ranch 13285 Ranch Rd. 2325

Author: Coni Ross
             CR Ranch 13285 Ranch Rd.
             2325 Blanco, Texas 78606
             512-496-3197
             www.crranch.org