Staph infection, I think...

FakeMountainMan · #1 07/27/14, 09:00 PM

I noticed a spot on my little girls backside, looks like a raw spot about the size of a quarter that she's been licking at. There is also more spots on her udders and inside her legs, so I'm guessing staph infection. The goats are in a small pen about 6x12 at night with a covered shed and hay for bedding. I raked it out and put new(ish) hay down, but the hay wasn't really damp or dirty, I've only had the goats about 2 weeks. I'm going to try to pick up some chlorhex tomorrow, will that usually take care of it? Do I just spray her butt a couple times a day?

dozedotz · #2 07/28/14, 03:28 PM

Chlorhexidine will clear up a staph infection. I have used it many times. We have one girl that is prone to getting staph on her udder only. I am no expert on this (so keep that in mind!! lol) The staph we see looks like pimples, little bitty raised bumps that you can easily feel...we have not seen any quarter sized areas, rawness or actually, any licking of the spots...that may just be us...hopefully someone with a different experience will jump in here. I also should say that if I saw what you are describing I might think we were dealing with something other than staph because of what we are most familiar!! I might think some kind of insect...which brings me to this: we have not had lice or mites, but I would EXPECT them to look like what you are describing...So, there you have it, my rather limited experience and guessing!!! Hope it is sorta helpful...lol

FakeMountainMan · #3 07/28/14, 09:38 PM

Well, quarter sized may be a bit exaggerated, dime sized maybe... My first thought was that she rubbed against something, until I saw the other spots, but some type of insect/mite is definitely possible. Unfortunately I wasn't able to get away from the property today, we had a project that kept me busy till the feed store closed, so tomorrow I will definitely get the chlorhex. I'm thinking infection is present regardless of the cause of the wound. Fortunately she doesn't seem to be in any distress, she is eating and playing normally.

ETA could flys be causing something like that? They are pretty thick in the pen sometimes.

Doug Hodges · #4 07/28/14, 11:24 PM

Ringworm?

FakeMountainMan · #5 07/28/14, 11:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Doug Hodges

Ringworm?

That's a possibility too now that you mention it. I need to get a better look at it, but she doesn't like me messing around with her. I think I need to put together a milking stand to hold her while I check her out.

Pony · #6 07/29/14, 05:10 PM

Pics would help.

If it's staph, you can also use a weak chlorine bleach solution. Works well here in the Spring, when staph rears its ugly head.

If ringworm, you'll need an antifungal.

FakeMountainMan · #7 07/29/14, 09:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pony

Pics would help.

If it's staph, you can also use a weak chlorine bleach solution. Works well here in the Spring, when staph rears its ugly head.

If ringworm, you'll need an antifungal.

I found nolvasan at mt local feed store. Price tag was $75 bucks, so I gulped and took it to the counter cause it would cost $40 in gas to go to another store. Thankfully it was clearanced and rang up half off. I'm going to start treatment tomorrow and I'll get my good camera out. If its ringworm, would tea tree oil work?