Help Please! New to goats

[Firsttimer]

I went out yesterday to do chores, and noticed that one of my goats just started to limp. His back right leg around his hoof looks like the skin is all dry and cracked. It has been quite cold here so I don't know if it has anything to do with his leg. Any help would be appreciated! These are my first goats and my first time posting. Thanks

 

[jodief100]

I am not sure what it is but I woudl put some kind of skin ointment on it. Bag Balm or something like that. Vaseline if that is all you have.

 

[elevan]

I am not sure what it is but I woudl put some kind of skin ointment on it. Bag Balm or something like that. Vaseline if that is all you have.

x2

 

[moffitthill]

I went out yesterday to do chores, and noticed that one of my goats just started to limp. His back right leg around his hoof looks like the skin is all dry and cracked. It has been quite cold here so I don't know if it has anything to do with his leg. Any help would be appreciated! These are my first goats and my first time posting. Thanks View attachment 1129 View attachment 1130

I see snow in your pic... I am in Michigan. We have a hobby (and 3rd generation 4-H kids) farm... just a few of different kinds of animals...Dwarf goats, chickens, mini rex rabbits and few others, ducks, dogs, pigs (from spring to fall), and a horse with a larger wether pasture buddy... and 18 acres. I found that many of animals (even our dogs) had abrasions and some even cuts and two limping because at the time it snowed and then warmed a bit and rained and then temp dropped hard... with temp so low it was like creating a fairly thick ice crust on the snow and when they broke into it walking, the "crust" actually hurt them. I cleaned with peroxide any open or seeping area and then antibiotic (wards off infection) and an aloe (helps heal) spray over... kept animals in until dry (on dogs and dwarfs used a dryer) then painted on liquid skin bandage so it could heal without getting germs in skin. I only use creams when it is not a wet abrasion... no bleeding or skin broken to create openings for germs. All better. I did put bag balm on their noses and ear tips as heavy thick vaseline like creams help hold in the body heat to deter frostbite as it got so dangerously cold (then all were barned but it is not heated so with heat lamp hung high is only source to get warmed a bit). Old fashioned for ears and nose but is similar thought to using baby oil ... can't sweat proper and so body temp stays up.

 

[Southern by choice]

Great post Moffitthill!

and Welcome to BYH!

 

[Firsttimer]

From what I am reading on other threads could it be mites? What causes them, and if it is mites how do I get rid of them?? His leg is really rough when you touch it where the spot is. Thank you everyone for the help.

 

[Southern by choice]

Yes it is a good possibilty it is leg mites. The picture was not clear enough to really be able to tell.
It is possible that it is (Chorioptes bovis)
I have a brief description of this mite, taken from my website....

Chorioptic Scab Mite

(Chorioptes bovis)

The Chorioptic scab mite causes mange in cattle, sheep, goats, and horses. This mite is often referred to as the leg mite or leg mange. This non-burrowing mite tends to stay primarily on the feet and legs of its host. The life cycle is completed in 3 weeks.Often this mite goes unnoticed as on goats these mites stay mostly around the hoof and lower front legs.

The lesions being mild without any real noticeable effect. Goats may stomp or bite/chew/ lick around the hoof area.

This is mite season. The poster above has listed a very plausible scenario. Is your goat chewing and also if you look at the base of the other hooves where the hof and skin/leg meet do you see flaky looking skin? or crusty skin? If so mites are highly probable.

 

[Firsttimer]

What are the best treatment options for this type of mite? Also what should I spray in there shed to kill everything off? Thank you so much for the help!! Always learning something!!!

 

[Firsttimer]

And yes I went out and looked and the skin is crusty from the hoof to about 2 inches up his leg.

 

[Southern by choice]

Elevan has a good article on different treatment options.
http://www.backyardherds.com/resources/dealing-with-lice-on-goats-sheep.6/

De is good but takes time.
I prefer 10% Permethrin (you can get this at TSC) It is the most effective treatment that is quick treats both biting and sucking parasites. We use a 2 1/2 gallon sprayer and mix it up. Spreay the goat and treat the area. Make sure they don't eat the straw /hay. This is where I like the DE... that is what we keep in the loafing sheds. We try ot to use chemicals in bedding.
Permethrin is a chemical yes but it is quick and you will not keep battling this. Repeat in 10 days. The big issue is it is cold right now and you don't want to get the goat sick. Try just spraying the legs and hoof if you think it is this kind of mite.

I have never used an injectable for mites so I cannot help you there. There are other methods that are natural/organic and they are effective I just have found it is better to knock it out quick and then keep up with the DE or Python dust for preventative.

CHECK ALL YOUR GOATS!