Hi: I'm new with goat trouble!!

Exactly, HF. So, the very first goat to get it was probably a weak link, picked it up in its natural habitat, and then, it spread.

I agree that it's not likely that the goat did not pick this up from the raccoon matter, but, there is a slight possibility since the hay that was being fed did have raccoon feces/urine on it.

1. Possible? yes Probable? no. CL is widespread in this nation with 80% of all goat herds having exposure to it. The goat probably just had it.

2. At five weeks he wouldn't have an internal cl abscess. Have you simply given him a round of antibiotics? He might have aspirated some milk and have pneumonia. I wouldn't leave him coughing without treatment for too long. He is young.

3. Many goats carry CL with never showing lumps. So it might be years before they develop one if they have it. It is a very common bacteria.

4. What do you plan to do with the babies? Are you showing? Selling? or just having them as pets? If you just want some pets or personal use goats, I personally wouldn't worry about it at all. The transmission from caprine to human of CL is very, very rare. Don't read webpages on the subject, but rather read actual scientific reports. It is just so rare. You really don't have to worry about it any more than you worry about a meteor hitting you. If you are milking and are concerned about possibly having the disease in your herd than just pasteurize the milk and be clean. If you are just keeping pets, then worrying is probably a waste of time.
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I guess the answer to your question about breeding would just depend on your personal fear level too. Peace is a wonderful thing. So if it makes you feel better to cull you flock then try to start over later, that would be up to you. But, unless you are showing or selling a lot of goats, I wouldn't worry about it unless you see more abscesses. Honestly, statistically, chances are you already had some exposure in your flock before you ever bought the doe anyway. Most flocks in this nation have exposure, and a negative test doesn't mean they haven't had exposure from one animal or another.

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Ok thanks for all the advice! How do you treat for lungworms? The coughing buck has no fever is bright and very active and lively. He is nice and fat too with a nice sleek coat. He is isolated from the original 3 goats but can see (but not smell or touch ) them. Im really hoping the case-bac does its job. None of my goats had a negative reaction to it. I gave it subQ over the rib cage and will booster in four weeks and annual after that.

Im thinking if cl can stay dormant for quite awhile and then manifest itself with stress and birthing I'll probably casterate the buck and call it quits for breeding. I can handle dormant cl. I dont show or anything like that. They are my pets and my hobby.I live in the suburbs. There are no goats or sheep for miles. Only horses!

I feel real bad for the buck though living alone. How long do you think I should keep him separate before I can let him in with the others (after he is fixed of course!)

mekasmom Thank you so much for that link! I was very worried about human transfer. It is reassuring. Still I am very cautious around them now. As for antiboitics for the buck I might try this. What should I use and how much?

Thanks!

I would not keep vaccinating them with the Case-Bac, it is for sheep and not goats. Just because you did not get a reaction this time does not mean you will not down the line. Also now your goats will always test positive for it so any blood test for CL, which is not accurate to start with will show up positive.

What state are you in? Maybe one of us knows a better vet then the one you are currently dealing with.
Letting it burst was not very smart on his part. The area she was in now is contaminated and I would not even after scrubbing it with bleach put a goat in it.

The vet did not let you know of anything to do for the buckling when he was out there? It could be lungworm, pneumonia, and etc. When you say he does not have a temp, what is his temp?
I have had a kid born with the rattles but I took care of it within the first few days so I am not sure if yours is suffering from that so many months later. The rattles are caused when they aspirate fluid during birth. I used Naxcel which works very well, but pricey, the vet thankfully sold me two shots for $8 instead of the bottle for $96.

I do not like to give anti-biotics just because, I worry about building a resistance..... but in his case since he has had a cough for months I would give him a cc or 2 for 5 days depending on his size. You can do it Sub-Q like where the neck meets the shoulder so if you get a lump you do not get scared later on if you feel it.

Castrating him at this late date should be done by someone with experience. His testicles are probably pretty large. I have had luck in banding boys that old but it takes some doing and some pain killer. Or you may have to vet it.

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Im in se Wisconsin.

The vet clinic I use is suppose to be an all farm animal practice including goats but they really where clueless on this cl. The vet told me it was no biggy and to just treat it with penicillan. When he took a culture of the cyst he just threw the excess pus on the stall floor!!!! As soon as he left I disinfected!

I do feel quite comfortable using the case-bac vaccine. It is better than not in my case! Currently it is my best line of defense I think . The reactions I observed (none) are the same as the cd&t shot. Im not concerned about testing positive for cl with the blood test because I never intend on showing or selling them. Plus I'd rather have a false pos. blood test than an actually cl abcess.

The vet took the bucklings temp. and said it was normal and listened to his lungs and said everything sounded clear so she thought it was dust? allergies? Told me to water down my hay.

My hay is currently excellent third crop alflfa/ grass hay. No dust there but I use shavings in his stall so maybe problem there?

Honestly I cant afford another vet bill so soon after this cl disaster! The buck (if I decide to castrate him) will be castrated by the vet in a month or so.

Im kinda wondering what others luck has been with case-bac preventing cl on an exposed herd?

I've read over and over that giving the Case-bac is in its kind of a test. That if you give the shot to an animal that has the bacteria in its system , it will break out with abcesses in reaction to the vaccine. You may be in the clear if your herd had no reaction.