Cissy is positive for CL, vet is trying to convince not to euthanize.

[lupinfarm]

I've never noticed this before but I grabbed Cissy to stop her from ramming April and I felt a lump on her neck! Sure enough, there is a sizeable lump (about the size of a quarter). I don't remember it being there before and since I hook them up to a leash everyday I certainly would have noticed a freaking lump. I checked Mione's neck and she has nothing. It is off center about halfway down her neck. Can things ever go right around here, so now I'm all worried its CL. Its covered in hair and its not especially soft. Mum thought maybe a benign tumour? I suppose thats entirely possible? Or a horsefly bite?

Someone help me out here, any other ideas aside from CL? Of course they weren't bought tested so naturally I have to expect the unexpected but I did have them tested for CAE and both came back negative. Worst of all I'm leaving tonight for Toronto and now not only am I leaving Cissy the evil in with poor little April the newbie, but now Cissy has a freaking lump. The lump is not near her jaw line but further down on her neck.

FYI, No one has had shots recently and the girls will likely need worming soon.

 

[lupinfarm]

Okay I got a photo of the lump. I had to outline it in red because she's white and it's white and it doesn't show up well but if you look close you can see it.

Its way down her neck, not even close to her lymph glands.

 

[Roll farms]

Don't panic.

It *could* be CL. (It's in a sort of common spot for them...) Or it could be an allergic reaction, sting, benign cyst, or abscess that ISN'T CL, etc.

I generally don't 'pop' them until the hair starts to fall off (that way I know they'll empty easily and clean out w/ out refilling w/ pus)....you have to let them get 'ripe'.

The BEST way to know is to have a vet draw out a sample (and for goat's sake, NOT in the barn / high goat traffic area...) and send it off or test it themselves.

In any case, until the hair starts to fall off, it's "safe"....once the hair's lost it will pop on it's own w/ in a day (could be more, could be less).

It will itch, and they will spread the pus trying to scratch it.

If you have any specific questions, feel free to ask....there's just too much to know / say / suggest and w/out a definitive diagnosis...it may be moot.

I know vetting is expensive / hard to find in your area, but w/out a test, there IS no way to KNOW, even w/ the excellent pic provided.

eta pic

 

[lupinfarm]

Thanks Roll. Mum is still thinking something like an infected splinter or the like. I DO NOT remember it being there this morning when I put her out in the little goatie pasture. I have to grab her collar every morning and I don't remember it being there at all. My mum had this splinter she got, doesn't even remember getting it, that got infected and pussed up and created a lump like Cissy's on her finger and it could be a bug sting/bite (Dragonfly, Horsefly, Bee sting). Its like it was there literally overnight. No. Maybe in a matter of hours. I found it because I was holding her off from butting April and grabbed her collar and felt it. We *are* going to call the vet. I told my mum since I'm out of town right now to keep an eye on it for a day, and we'll call the vet out to look at it/inspect.

 

[lupinfarm]

Oh I should mention, my mum swears that when she touched the lump it felt warm. Now I don't have the "magic hands" and can never feel warmth in an area. I have hot hands.

 

[Roll farms]

I hope nothing but the best for you / Cissy....but get it tested.

Wishful thinking and hope will NOT stop CL. This I know.

 

[lupinfarm]

Yeah I know, we're calling the vet in the morning to come out. Its just concerning because we're pretty broke right now :/

 

[lupinfarm]

Okay the earliest the vet can get out to the farm is Wednesday afternoon so we've got her coming out.

 

[4hmama]

I'd seperate her from the herd, and away from the area that the other goats are kept - just in case it is CL and the abscess bursts. You do NOT want it to infect the area where your other goats have access.... Better to be safe than sorry.

 

[lupinfarm]

I have nowhere to put her. Thats the entire problem. All I have is a chainlink dog pen behind the house but the dogs are in that during the day. We have absolutely no where else to put her at all.

Mum is keeping an eye on it while I am away, this morning it was still the same as last night. Same size and still had all the hair on it. I told her that if the hair disappears to put an emerge call in to the vet and get her out of the shed.