I've never heard of blocks for goats. One of my does tends to have issues with the hoof wall separating due to her previous owners not trimming hooves. When its separated I just trim off all the loose wall. How much of the wall is separated?
Goats & Hoof Blocks
So the one goat has been limping for a bit, some days seemed better than others, I check and all seemed okay, then ground would either freeze solid or turn to a muddy mess. I had a lady that trims their feet come out and she thought there was a burst abscess, but it looked good, no puss or infection. Okay, great, I kept an eye on her, checked it myself, but still the limp. Running around headbutting her sister, eating and drinking, so no serious cause for concern. Again, the weather more than anything kept me from calling the vet.
Finally last Friday, I told them I'm calling the vet if it's not better by Monday. It wasn't and I did. The vet came yesterday and as soon as she picked it up, she looked at the one side of the hoof, that had separated a bit, she likened it somewhat to white line disease in horses. I've not had experience with that, but at least Echo did not have any infection, more of dirt being packed in there. So the vet cut a triangular piece of the hoof away, to relieve some pressure and clean it out. Then let it dry and put some glue on it, to try and keep it clean till it could heal up. And the way it's going lately, by the time I got them back in the pasture, it had came loose. And it's raining again today. So I called the vet and let her know, she said to soak in Epsom salt and she'll do some research on how to use a hoof block or something similar to help with the compromised foot.
So my question would be, has anyone used a hoof block on a goat? She mentioned wrapping with a baby diaper (cause it's faster) and then duct taping, but I'm almost positive they'd rip it off and end up eating it. I'll be doing the first soaking today, I have one of those black rubber pans I'll use, it's not too high and hopefully she'll hold still long enough - fingers crossed!
I'll get some pictures when I'm back outside. This morning she was walking a bit better, but of course there was dirt in/on it. I was thinking after the soak, maybe some iodine or blue kote?
Kelly
Finally last Friday, I told them I'm calling the vet if it's not better by Monday. It wasn't and I did. The vet came yesterday and as soon as she picked it up, she looked at the one side of the hoof, that had separated a bit, she likened it somewhat to white line disease in horses. I've not had experience with that, but at least Echo did not have any infection, more of dirt being packed in there. So the vet cut a triangular piece of the hoof away, to relieve some pressure and clean it out. Then let it dry and put some glue on it, to try and keep it clean till it could heal up. And the way it's going lately, by the time I got them back in the pasture, it had came loose. And it's raining again today. So I called the vet and let her know, she said to soak in Epsom salt and she'll do some research on how to use a hoof block or something similar to help with the compromised foot.
So my question would be, has anyone used a hoof block on a goat? She mentioned wrapping with a baby diaper (cause it's faster) and then duct taping, but I'm almost positive they'd rip it off and end up eating it. I'll be doing the first soaking today, I have one of those black rubber pans I'll use, it's not too high and hopefully she'll hold still long enough - fingers crossed!
I'll get some pictures when I'm back outside. This morning she was walking a bit better, but of course there was dirt in/on it. I was thinking after the soak, maybe some iodine or blue kote?
Kelly
1 - 20 of 25 Posts
In my mind I feel like it's the whole side! But it's maybe a quarter size, triangular in shape. I'll get pictures when I go out to soak it. It had to be cut away, the deal now is to try and keep it clean so it can grow in.
I did a search on hoof blocks and yeah, only cattle ones came up. But that's no suprise cause they don't make much for goats, we just take where we can and make it work on them!
I did a search on hoof blocks and yeah, only cattle ones came up. But that's no suprise cause they don't make much for goats, we just take where we can and make it work on them!
I forget where I read it now but I do remember reading that goats generally don't need blocks as they're so much lighter than cows. Is the area under the loose horn raw? I wonder if maybe a piece of cotton and some duct tape would work. I do think a diaper would be hard to get them to leave alone.
It looks good, but this is the first experience with this. I just don't want it to get worse. Nothing looks red/raw, just a bit dirty from being out in open and in the mud - they don't like being locked up, so we're dealing with it best we can!
Could you maybe use vet wrap? I’ve never had any experience like this.
I've had to cut off the whole hoof wall on one side of the hoof multiple times in the past and I didn't put anything on it except hoof n heel. Typically I apply hoof n heel daily or twice daily for 3 days, until the hoof stops feeling mushy and they stop limping. I bet keeping them on a dry rocky area would keep it from happening. Can you post pictures of it?
Yeah, just didn't have camera when I was out earlier. I'll be going out in a couple hours and will get some.
If it's not raw, I'd just leave it open and put some kind of spray on it.
People use these blocks all the time for goats, sheep, horses, and cows.
OK, here it is. She was very good about leaving it in the water. Ended up taking it out a couple times, but I just dumped that and put clean in and stuck it in there again. I did give it a squirt of iodine, too. It didn't look terrible to me, didn't smell anything. It's been raining here, which is terrible for more mud, but great that she's in the barn laying down and taking it easy.
Attachments
-
1.8 MB Views: 33 -
1.9 MB Views: 25
I would trim off that flap of loose horn. It needs to be trimmed back to the spot where it rejoins with the hoof.
I agree ☝
You can dip it in iodine/ water solution, it dries it quicker and treats any rot.
Do it daily for a little while.
You can dip it in iodine/ water solution, it dries it quicker and treats any rot.
Do it daily for a little while.
When looking at the picture, you're talking about the right side of the cutout, right? I'll take a look at that today and see about snipping it off.I would trim off that flap of loose horn. It needs to be trimmed back to the spot where it rejoins with the hoof.
Would that be better than the Epsom salt/water mix? I used the spray iodine after I soaked it in the Epsom. She's been walking about the same to a little better.I agree ☝
You can dip it in iodine/ water solution, it dries it quicker and treats any rot.
Do it daily for a little while.
Appreciate everyone's feedback!
Kelly
Yes. It's hard to tell from the picture just how much is loose but it looks like a good sized amount that needs to come off.When looking at the picture, you're talking about the right side of the cutout, right? I'll take a look at that today and see about snipping it off.
Appreciate the catch, I'll take a look and get new pictures today.
Put some Kopertox on it, then vetwrap it. It will only last a day or two. Keep checking it, and keep wrapping it until it gets stronger.
☝ That is another good option.
Put some Kopertox on it, then vetwrap it. It will only last a day or two. Keep checking it, and keep wrapping it until it gets stronger.
I got a foot recipe from someone on here just last week or so. They listed what to use and how good it works that I went out and bought it to put in my pharmacy at the house. Mix DSMO, Kopertox and LA 200 in equal amount and apply twice a day for 3-4 days. They guaranteed it to work for foot rot and other foot problems. I tried to find the link but my phone is out of memory and I can’t search right now. Maybe I should put some os this mixture all over my phone. Lol He said to put it in a squirt bottle and spray it. I’m thinking maybe a cheap paint brush and mop it on. Just food for thought. Tractor Supply had it all.Yes. It's hard to tell from the picture just how much is loose but it looks like a good sized amount that needs to come off.
1 - 20 of 25 Posts
- This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
The Goat Spot Forum
A forum community dedicated to goat owners and enthusiasts. Come join the discussion about breeding, health, behavior, housing, adopting, care, classifieds, and more!
Full Forum Listing
Explore Our Forums
