Mouth sores

[coonripper]

My heard of 6 goats ranging in ages from 2 years to 2 weeks all developed sores in the corner of their mouths. any ideas? Any cure advice?

[saanengirl]

Sounds like soremouth. It is a reportable disease here in GA, and it may be in your state too because it resembles foot and mouth.

Don't worry, soremouth is not a serious disease, it is a pox virus similar to chickenpox. Goats that get soremouth are not likely to get it again, just like chickenpox in people.

Soremouth is annoying but it is not dangerous. Wear gloves when you handle your goats because if you have any scratches, you can get blisters from it as well. It is considered a zoonotic disease. There can be problems if one of the goats stops eating because it hurts, so keep an eye on them to make sure they keep eating. It will run its course in a couple of weeks, and the goats will be fine.

[saanengirl]

Soremouth is technically known as "contagious ecthyma" or "orf"

[coonripper]

should i be treating with anything? penicillian shots, ointment, anything?

[Goat Servant]

I haveheard using Listerine works well.

[Bearfootfarm]

should i be treating with anything? penicillian shots, ointment, anything?

Nothing will really help, and it normally goes away in about a week.

DO NOT kiss your goats:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orf_(disease)

Orf is an exanthemous disease caused by a parapox virus and occurring primarily in sheep and goats. It is also known as contagious pustular dermatitis, infectious labial dermatitis, ecthyma contagiosum, and sheep pox[1]:393, thistle disease[2] and scabby mouth. Orf virus can also infect humans.[2]

[Ann Mary]

I bought a goat last summer that came down with mouth sores...looked nasty...I was told by a friend that had had sheep get it and they told me to take CLorox bleach ~and ONLY clorox brand~ and take a little rag and wipe it on heavily...being sure to rub off the scabs so the bleach can kill the problem. Seemed kinda harsh but it really worked and I only had to do one more retreatment to get a little where I didn't get it on good enough the first time. By the way, it is VERY contageous so be sure to isolate the sick ones and keep and eye on the healthy ones. But, it really was no big deal once I learned how to treat it. Good luck!

[saanengirl]

Originally Posted by Ann Mary

By the way, it is VERY contageous so be sure to isolate the sick ones and keep and eye on the healthy ones. But, it really was no big deal once I learned how to treat it. Good luck!

Actually, I would prefer to have it go through the whole herd so at least this group of animals will never have to have it again.

[coonripper]

Thanks guys, it does look icky and we want to clear it up. I will try the stuff you suggested and report back.