Soft abdominal lump on doeling--UPDATE

[michickenwrangler]

Sable is my 6 week old LaMancha doeling. She had a urinary tract infection 2 weeks ago and as a side affect, had a small tumor over where her umbilical cord had been. Antibiotics cleared both up. She's been standing hunched over the last few days lately. When I went to bottle feed her this evening, I noticed that the lump is now golf-ball sized and soft. Again, it is over her navel. When she had the UTI, the vet said to put a warm compress over the area, but by the time I get out to the barn, the warm cloth is always cold, so I just never tried after the first few attempts. I'll be on the phone with the vet tomorrow.

Anyone have an idea what this is?

She's also eating and drinking water, although she doesn't want to take the bottle. I did let her nurse on her mom for a bit before I milked Clover (her mom) this evening.

 

[cmjust0]

Sable is my 6 week old LaMancha doeling. She had a urinary tract infection 2 weeks ago and as a side affect, had a small tumor over where her umbilical cord had been. Antibiotics cleared both up. She's been standing hunched over the last few days lately. When I went to bottle feed her this evening, I noticed that the lump is now golf-ball sized and soft. Again, it is over her navel. When she had the UTI, the vet said to put a warm compress over the area, but by the time I get out to the barn, the warm cloth is always cold, so I just never tried after the first few attempts. I'll be on the phone with the vet tomorrow.

Anyone have an idea what this is?

She's also eating and drinking water, although she doesn't want to take the bottle. I did let her nurse on her mom for a bit before I milked Clover (her mom) this evening.

Take a temperature.. If it's elevated, I'd suspect the knot to be an infection. If not, I'd suspect it to be an umbilical hernia.

Bear in mind, though, that the absence of a temperature doesn't always rule out infection. The value of taking the temp is if you see it elevated, at which point you can be relatively assured that there is an infection... Sorta ruling it in, versus ruling anything out.

 

[michickenwrangler]

Frm what I've looked up, it sounds like an umbilical abcess.

 

[cmjust0]

If I had one I suspected of navel ill, I'd probably do 1/2ml of Bio-Mycin 200 SQ 1x/day for 10 days. I've never had occasion to treat for this before, but based on what I've read, that's what I'd do.

That's just me, though.

If you suspect it's joint ill, definitely get her on some kind of antibiotic regimen right away. These apparently go from abcess to septicemia pretty quickly, just due to the nature of the abcess being pretty much right on top of what was, a very short time ago, a "main line" into her bloodstream.

ETA: I should probably point out that some people strongly recommend against using tetracyclines in growing kids, as it may interfere with bone development.. Thing is, that's what I've seen recommended for navel ill...sooooo...yer pretty much not gonna see navel ill unless you're looking at a wee little kid.

 

[michickenwrangler]

Took Sable to the vet today. She has an umbilical hernia and an infected "Yoo-rake-us" (shoulda asked for spelling--probably spelled "eurachus"). She's on antibiotics, but if it doesn't close up on its own, we'll probably put her down.

I'm trying to stay optimistic.

 

[michickenwrangler]

Sable was on antibiotics for two weeks, we were happy because the swelling went down and her infection cleared up. She's eating and playing, butting heads with brother, jumping on him and pushing him out of the way when she gets jealous of the attention he's getting, nibbling on my chin (ouch!) when I pick her up.

However, even with her improved attitude, the last two days her hernia has gotten larger. The vet's coming out to castrate brother on Friday (4/9) and I'll speak with him then.

Does anyone have experience with abdominal hernias? Is it hereditary? Will she be able to be bred? Is this going to be a chronic problem? I know there is a risk of strangulation but is it fairly common?

She's such a sweet goat and we would hate to put her down. When I mentioned to DH and DD about eating her, they both started crying. Friend suggested I take her to slaughterhouse in fall and ask them to label it "ground buffalo" since we do buy ground buffalo once in awhile and it is leaner than beef.

What to do?

 

[SDGsoap&dairy]

Does anyone have experience with abdominal hernias? I know there is a risk of strangulation but is it fairly common?

Strangulation? I'm sure that I'm misinterpreting the term- what is this referring to? I'm trying to imagine the way in which a goat would strangle on it's hernia and cannot... Maybe someone can point out the obvious for me.

 

[helmstead]

Its when the intestines slip through the hernia, fill with gut matter and are unable to reenter the abdomen, swell, cut of blood circulation and die.

 

[ksalvagno]

I don't know if they do this in goats at all but what about a hernia belt? Shouldn't the opening close up with time?

In alpacas when there is an umbilical hernia, we wrap it somehow. Some people use the ace bandages for people and wrap it around the middle. I have a hernia belt that someone designed specifically for alpacas. It works like a charm. You do have to check it every couple to few days to make sure everything is ok.

 

[helmstead]

In FOALS we had to surgically correct them...never experienced one on a goat yet...