abscessed tooth?

[rootsandwings]

I'm sorry, I can't post pictures.

I just got back from vacation and one of my yearlings has a swollen jaw. (no, the sitter didn't see anything...)

it looks like a mild case of bottle jaw, except it is hard, warm, and only on one side - as if her actual jaw bone had swollen in a gentle curve. Yes, I looked in her mouth. then I stuck my fingers in her mouth. now I have a big black bruise on my nail, but no further information. Call the vet? Wait until Monday? Give pen G?

She's acting normal.

[beccachow]

If it is in fact a tooth, that is a vet visit, I'm afraid. She might go off her feed if it is painful, and then what a mess! I am sure the vet would put her on antibiotics, an abscess is an infection. At least call out and see if he has any suggestions.

Good luck!

[rootsandwings]

the vet said "separate her from the herd and keep the area clean"

- WHAT AREA? - I explained very carefully (before and after that advice) that there is no other sign of trauma or damage, just swelling. I stopped short of asking if I'm supposed to brush her teeth.

and the vet can come out Friday. She'll be fine until then. Just separate her and keep the area clean. Oh,. and if she stops eating, you can call on Monday to set up an emergency visit.

Anybody got any suggestions?

[beccachow]

yeah...get another vet!! JK, I know they are hard to come by.

I would keep with the antibiotic, in my humble opinion. Swelling of any kind short of a bug bite indicates infection. Keep an eye on her and make sure she is eating. I am sorry...why is it so hard to find a vet that does goats??

[rootsandwings]

I haven't given her any pen yet, do I give it in the shoulder or the actual jaw? And does anybody have a dosage suggestion? 50-60lb goat

[thaiblue12]

Shoulder not in the jaw, that would really hurt and not help it any.
The dose on the bottle I have says 1 cc per 100 lbs but I would give her 2 ccs. More will not hurt her for a short time.
When my goat had a bad infection ( different kind) she was getting 8 ccs at a time once a day and she weighed around 100 lbs.

It sounds like you vet is thinking CL, make sure that is not the only thing he looks or checks for. Something stuck in her cheek, a bad tooth etc. One vet I had here only knew two things about goats, CL and CAE and she checked for nothing else, scared the snot out of me, I was a wreck till the test results came back negative. I was new to goats and it turned out to be a shot lump. I never used or trusted her again and have a better vet now.

[beccachow]

TB, I thought the same thing (about the vet thinking CL). Agree 1000%, make sure the vet checks her mouth and doesn't stay single focused.

[rootsandwings]

Yeah, that's what I figure too, and she was far too cavalier about it in that case - she should have warned me about rupture and clean up etc.

But I, who am paranoid, am not even thinking CL

I've had no other signs in my herd and this goat was born here. Also, the swelling is hard, gently curved, and too far forward on the jaw.

Thank you for the dosage.

[Creamers]

Doesn't sound like CL - I'm sure that is what he is thinking though.

[victory]

Is there any way you can check her teeth?
maybe have someone help you, by putting a smooth stick, dowel behind her front teeth, gently hold it in place to not get bit, and look w/ a light in the mouth where the swelling is. It could be a grass seed, or something lodged in there. It is uncommon for a young goat to have problems with teeth...
I always do my own vetting, because most vets don't have a clue!!
Hope it works out for ya!

[ozark_jewels]

Twice this year already, I have had yearlings with large hard swellings on their jaws. Both times it turned out to be nothing more than a bite/sting from something. But I never did find out what. It went down and away of its own accord after several days.