Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
scratch or lesion in a hoof constantly immersed in mud or warm muck. Foot scald typically
occurs in only one of the front feet.
Foot rot:
The germ that causes foot rot,
Bacteroides nodusus,
also thrives in wet, muddy
areas where air is poorly circulated, and it multiplies in the presence of
F. necrophorum. B.
nodusus
penetrates the deeper layers of the skin and releases an enzyme that causes surround-
ing tissue to liquefy.
A goat with foot rot limps noticeably. Symptoms include a grayish, cheesy discharge and foul
odor with lameness and intense pain. Treat by carefully trimming away the rotten area and
treating the infected area with 10 to 30 percent copper sulfate solution, a suitable ointment, or
other treatment as prescribed by your veterinarian.
Once your herd is infected with foot rot, treating and eradicating it is a lengthy process. You
can prevent foot rot by housing your goats in a dry area and by maintaining their properly
trimmed hooves. Trim the hooves of new goats and isolate them for three weeks before integ-
rating them in your herd. Similarly, isolate any goat that leaves your farm and returns, includ-
ing goats that have been to shows, fairgrounds, or boarded at a veterinary facility.
Pregnancy-related health problems
Ketosis:
After a kid is born, the doe's milk production sometimes increases so rapidly that it
cannot eat enough feed to keep up, which causes the body to break down its own body fat.
The breakdown of fat releases ketones that can be toxic in large quantities. The goat's feeding
slows down, its milk production falls off, and its breath and urine have a sweetish odor. The
goat is apathetic and has a rough coat. In severe cases, the goat can become comatose and die.
A veterinarian can treat ketosis. To prevent it, begin gradually increasing a pregnant goat's
portion of concentrated food about two weeks before her kid is born. Start with small handfuls
and gradually increase it to 1.1 pounds per day by the time the kid is born. Feed the goat high-
quality feed so she gets the maximum amount of nourishment.
Toxemia during pregnancy:
Toxemia can arise near the end of a pregnancy, particularly
when a goat is carrying twins or triplets. The cause is similar to ketosis. The growing babies
require more energy while the expanding uterus occupies more space, pushing on the rumen
and forcing the goat to eat less. As the goat's body breaks down fat reserves, toxic quantities
of ketones are released, and the goat may appear blind, stop eating, and fall into a fatal coma.
In this case, a veterinarian can do little to save the goat.
