Knot on neck??????

[janceejan]

I just brought in 16 spanish/boer mixes. 14 pregnant (or thought to be), 1 wether and 1 buck. One of the older mothers has developed a knot, hard and about the size of a golf ball at the base of her neck, in the front on her chest. It feels hard, not squishy and doesnt move around. She doesnt appear to be in any discomfort, even when you touch it. All the hair is there. Anyone have a clue? We are newbies and have only had 3 boers for a couple of months, and no problems, unless you count to gorging on the deer feed....lol.

[Ken in Maine]

Often times CL will show up when a goat has been "under stress". If they have been transported that can put them under stress. Not saying it is CL but I would watch it VERY carefully. I would also move that doe into a separate area away from the other goats just in case it bursts. Of course you could have your vet lance it... clean it out and have the pus tested. That would be my best recommendation.

Good luck!

[Sher]

Could it possibly be an infected injection site? I really don't know what else..but I am positive someone will come on with some help for ya.

Good luck with your new animals..

[ozark_jewels]

That is not an uncommon place for CL lump to apear and many times if a goat has been subjected to CL in the past, the stress of moving can bring on a lump like you are seeing. CL does start out as a hard lump and softens as it ripens and starts to lose hair. I have seen just such a lump as you describe, on the chest, it was tested and found to be CL. I know thats probably not what you wanted to hear.... If it was me, I would isolate her away from the other goats in an area that you won't be using for goats again, and have a vet lance the knot and send the contents to be cultured. The peace of mind is worth the cost for me.

[moonspinner]

Goats are prone to lumps so don't panic. Could be CL but hopefully it's not. I would isolate this one just to be safe until you know what you're dealing with.

[janceejan]

I appreciate all the responses. It would be this weekend, guess I will spend Christmas day building an isolation pen. Won't be able to get hold of vet until Monday or Tuesday.

Curious though......this place we live on has about 8 acres. The previous owners ran sheep here for many years. I do not know how long it had been since they had any here. Is there a possibility of the goats picking it (CL) from the sheep, or more likely the new goats brought it with them?

One of the other mommas had a spot on her side that was about the size of your palm that was distended and swollen, about half way down and half way back. The lady who brought the goats thought she had been hit by another and it was a swelling. It feels like air under the skin. Hasn't gone down any, nor gotten larger. Would it be a similar symptom of CL, and should I isolate her also, or put them in together?

[ozark_jewels]

Originally Posted by janceejan

I appreciate all the responses. It would be this weekend, guess I will spend Christmas day building an isolation pen. Won't be able to get hold of vet until Monday or Tuesday.

Curious though......this place we live on has about 8 acres. The previous owners ran sheep here for many years. I do not know how long it had been since they had any here. Is there a possibility of the goats picking it (CL) from the sheep, or more likely the new goats brought it with them?

One of the other mommas had a spot on her side that was about the size of your palm that was distended and swollen, about half way down and half way back. The lady who brought the goats thought she had been hit by another and it was a swelling. It feels like air under the skin. Hasn't gone down any, nor gotten larger. Would it be a similar symptom of CL, and should I isolate her also, or put them in together?

Hmm...how long has it been since you bought this doe that has the lump?? It has an incubation period of several weeks I believe, so if you just brought them home, its very likely she brought it with her. And yes, it is very possible for goats to catch CL from sheep. In either case I would watch the rest of the goats very carefully for any lumps. Especially in the head, chest, and flank area. The other doe doesn't particularly sound like she has an abscess....might just be a bump. If it doesn't really resemble the lump on the other doe, then I would leave her out and ask the vet his opinion on it when he comes out to lance the other does lump. He may not know much about CL, but he should be able to tell you if it is an abscess or just a pocket under the skin.......Is in on her flank or her side? The flank is a very common spot for CL lumps too, but not the side. Heres hoping neither one is CL!!

[susanne]

goats are not prone to lumps

instead of lancing the knot i would ask the vet in taking the lump as a whole out. isolate the goat is very imortant. watch the rest of the herd very careful. go with your hands over their bodies to detect any unregularity. consider giving the herd back to the previous owner.

[moonspinner]

Maybe "prone" is not the right word and too strong but goats do get swellings more frequently than a lot of species - like injection site lumps and those that are and are not CL. I know a small ruminant specialist who has done a lot of research in this area.

[ozark_jewels]

Originally Posted by moonspinner

Maybe "prone" is not the right word and too strong but goats do get swellings more frequently than a lot of species - like injection site lumps and those that are and are not CL. I know a small ruminant specialist who has done a lot of research in this area.

Interesting, Moonspinner. Does this specialist have any info you could post on this??

[susanne]

always want to learn new things too.