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About Cheryl K. Smith
Expertise
Goat Health Care; basic goat management

Experience
Publisher of Goat Health Care, www.goathealthcare.com. I have raised miniature dairy goats since 1998. I published Ruminations, the Nigerian Dwarf and Mini Dairy Goat magazine for 7 years and mentor other goat owners, as I was mentored for my first years.

Organizations
American Goat Society, The Miniature Goat Registry

Publications
Goat Health Care (book), Ruminations, Dairy Goat Journal, Issues in Law and Medicine, Topics in Health Records Management, Oregon Bar Bulletin, Midwifery Today, Countryside

Education/Credentials
BS, Health Information Administration JD, Law

You are here: Experts > Animals/Pets > Domestic/Farm Animals > Goats > Hoof/declaws problem

Goats - Hoof/declaws problem

Expert: Cheryl K. Smith - 11/8/2009

Question
QUESTION: I was trimming my goats hooves today and noticed that two of them had an area "between" the heel and the declaw that was irritated and raw and bleeding and this was on three hooves on one goat and two hooves on the other. I have always understood and read that hoof rot occurs on the sole and in between the hoof wall and the sole when the hoof wall grows over the sole and dirt and debris and other stuff gets in there and causes trouble. What I see on these goats hooves is not on the sole of the hoof and it is neither between the toes which I understand is foot scald...this area on my goats is the skin that is between the heel and going up to the declaw. We cleaned the area with perioxide and then sprayed blucote on the area. The two goats that have this problem have shown no problems with browsing, running, playing, they are doing everything as normal..I trimmed their hooves two months ago and they did not have anything at that time..I am very concerned about this. Do you have any idea what this is and what I need to do??

ANSWER: Are you in a rainy muddy area? that could cause it. It could be a type of scald. Are they girls or boys? I think you did the right thing. The other thing you can consider is putting some vaseline or triple antibiotic on it.

I would keep an eye on it, but not worry too much unless it continues or gets worse.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: no...we are not in a rainy muddy area....our area is dry and well drained....all are girls. Itis just unusual to me...they don't walk on this area...and for it to be on both of them just puzzled me. Do you think it could be a fungus? and if so..what would I use for that?? I have 8 more goats to trim hooves on tomorrow and if some more have it...I will email back and let you know. Also is there anything else out there that I could use on them besides blucote that would do a good job and not be so messy and staining??

Answer
I agree with you that it's odd if the ground is dry. It could be a fungus. I would just buy some athletes foot medicine and try that, if the other treatment doesn't work. I know what you mean about the BluKote. But I still like it. It dries and treats. Not sure of an alternative. I will think about it.

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