dehorning problem

chris bryden · #1 04/14/10, 09:35 AM

Hope someone can help. I have a little nanny who was dehorned last Sunday April 11th and today it is draining a clear watery liquid. What is the best thing to put on it or what should I do? Very upset over this. Thanks for any help you may have.

xoxoGOATSxoxo · #2 04/14/10, 09:39 AM

Is it an unusually large amount? Something they get this liquid, and it's not a big deal. I just (if they let me) sponge it away with a damp washcloth, and then if the skin on their head looks irritated or pretty burned (apart from the disbudding spot, of course) I smear a little bacitracin around it. I dont do that too often, though, because the bacitracin gets kind of gunky. Only if it looks like they need it.

Dont worry. She'll probably be fine!

chris bryden · #3 04/14/10, 09:55 AM

Thanks I have never done this before and had no idea what to expect. It is very upseting to see your baby like that. There is not alot I guess it just looks that way to me. Thank you again

xoxoGOATSxoxo · #4 04/14/10, 10:03 AM

Yes, its scary. I've never gotten used to the actual process, but at least I dont worry anymore once its over!

And dont worry if you see a small amount of blood later around the scabbed buds. She's just gotten a little rambunctious and knocked them loose, but it wont have done any permanent damage.

jBlaze · #5 04/14/10, 10:18 AM

How old is the doe?
dis-budding implies a kid, whereas de-horning can refer to a mature goat.
The young ones usually do fine, but if the de-horning is done after say 4 or 6 months, then it can be a much more serious situation.

xoxoGOATSxoxo · #6 04/14/10, 10:26 AM

Oh thats true. I didnt think to ask that.

and was it an actual disbudding, with an iron? Or was it the dehorning surgery, by a vet?

chris bryden · #7 04/14/10, 10:29 AM

disbuding with iron. She is about three weeks old. Thanks again

ozark_jewels · #8 04/16/10, 03:57 PM

That is rather old to disbudd a kid. Next time see if you can get it done at about 1 week of age. Its easier on them when the horn buds are smaller.
As long as she is acting fine, don't worry about it. A little leakage of fluids is not unusual, just her body trying to make a scab on the burn. If she acts less than fine, you can run her on a course of antibiotics. Whatever you do, don't use salves or anything like that on it. If you want to put something on it, try Alu-Shield or Alu-Spray. They are horse products in a spray can.

**mygoat** · #9 04/16/10, 04:04 PM

At that age, don't be surprised to see scurs. I do my bucklings the day after they're born, and doelings are done in under a week of age... sometimes as young as 3-4 days. Since she's older, she likely rubbed them on something or jarred the scabs loose, hence the liquid.