golf ball size lump in Nubians neck

[byardbabe]

Hi everyone,
I need your help. My 6 year old Nubian has developed a golf ball size lump in her neck. Shortly after they kidded (she had 2 healthy Doelings) I stared feeding my girls alfafal pellets, because they always look a little rough.( ie thin). They loved them and finished them off in seconds. After about 6 weeks I noticed 2 of my Doe's looked like their thyroids were enlarged, not a great lot but a little. Then almost overnight the one doe had a golf ball size lump. I stopped feeding the alfalfa pellets, but the lump is still there unchanged. It is hard, not at all squishy and doesn't feel like an abcess. She is eating fine, acting fine, no temp. ect. I recently had a fecal done and she was wormy and had cocci. She has been treated for both, but the lump still remains. It dosen't bother her to push on it, she has no trouble swallowing. They have loose goat mineral as well as kelp changed daily. I am at my wits end as to what this may be, and would greatly appreciate any help or comments.
Thanks

 

[WhiteMountainsRanch]

I'm having the exact same problem!!!!

My yearling goats right lymph node is swollen and I can't for the life of me figure out why. She's been to the vet and the vet put her on penicillin and banamine, which reduced the soft tissue swelling, but not the actual lymph node. The vet wants to do an ultrasound next. :/

I do feed alfalfa.

Mine is eating acting fine too.

I've also dewormed recently.

I also feed loose minerals AND kelp.

And I am at my wits end too.

I know I didn't post anything useful but maybe we can help each other out since I am having the same problem.

Do you have a pic of your girl?

 

[byardbabe]

Hi,
I am so glad to hear from you! I am not glad you have the same problem, but at least I feel like I have someone to talk with. I have some pictures, I have even resized them, but for the life of me I don't know how to post them. I have even visited the site which is suppose to explain how to post. Let me try again!

 

[TGreenhut]

Have you tested for CL? Is it a swollen lymph node or thyroid? pics would help

 

[byardbabe]

Hi,
Thanks for your response, It is a swollen thyroid gland, actually both sides seem to be swollen but the one side is much bigger. I have tried to upload pictures, but am unable to do so. I am not sure how to do it. I have resized them but don't know what to do from there. If someone could help me I would appreciate it.
Thanks

 

[Straw Hat Kikos]

It sounds like it very well could be CL. Read these as they might help. I am about to eat so this is a fast post but I will try and get back to you about it.


http://www.vetmed.wsu.edu/depts_waddl/FAQ/cl.aspx
http://www.tennesseemeatgoats.com/articles2/caseouslymphadenitis.html

 

[byardbabe]

Hi, straw hat kiko's,
Thanks for your response. I have a closed herd, I have had them for 3 years without any problems. It doesn't feel like an abcess it is really hard and not attached to the skin. Also it is not in the usual location (from pictures I have looked at) for a lymph node. All of this happened after I started giving them alfalfa pellets. One othre thing I have done different this year is to put apple cider vinegar in their water, I also offer plain water.

 

[ksalvagno]

Have you removed the alfalfa yet? There was somewhere that I read that the alfalfa pellets could be the cause. You could try shredded beet pulp to help put weight on.

 

[TGreenhut]

Hi, straw hat kiko's,
Thanks for your response. I have a closed herd, I have had them for 3 years without any problems. It doesn't feel like an abcess it is really hard and not attached to the skin. Also it is not in the usual location (from pictures I have looked at) for a lymph node. All of this happened after I started giving them alfalfa pellets. One othre thing I have done different this year is to put apple cider vinegar in their water, I also offer plain water.

I agree with you, from the pictures it doesn't look like CL. CL abscesses occur where the lymph nodes are, not the thyroid gland. I'd suggest removing the alfalfa and waiting a couple weeks. If it doesn't go away in a couple weeks OR if at any point after removing the alfalfa, it looks worse, I'd go to a vet.

 

[Straw Hat Kikos]

Here are a few posts from another question that may concern CL.

I would have her tested for CL. You can do a blood test or you can send the puss in for testing. That is the most accurate test. CL is not such a big deal if you can control it. In order to do that you must be able to keep and eye on the animal often and be able to separate them from others when they get a lump, lance it, clean it, allow it to heal and you can then return her. If she has CL internally then you really should get rid of her. You can not control it if it is internal and it is more dangerous. Internal CL is much more common in sheep than goats, so that could be a concern.

I would also test, just to be sure. One of my does had an abcess and I wasn't going to test, but I did and it turns out she actually is CL+....not to scare you, but I really would test

I second that. And keeping a goat, or sheep,with CL is a personal choose. I honestly believe that keeping a CL+ animal is not a big deal and it can be controlled easily. Many people make it out to be some dreadful disease and hype it up but it is not a big deal. It can not be transmitted in ANY way other that direct contact with the puss, and it has to be ingested or enter the body thru a cut of body opening. It is not transmitted thru body fluids. If it is internal then they will lose weight, act sick, stay behind the herd, among other things. Internal CL can be transmitted thru coughing and it may be able to be transferred by feces if there are abscesses in the colon of further in the digestive tract. Most of the time they get them on their lungs.