I know, eeuww. But I was researching Echinacea, and found this. As I had a skin infection 2 years, that I have only gotten back under control now, I thought this was neato from a human stand point, as well.
Disease: Abscess
Abscess - (Ruminants)
An abscess is a lump full of pus that develops when a small wound becomes infected. It often starts as a hot swelling that grows slowly. The hair eventually sloughs off, and if not attended to, the abscess will burst and drain thick whitish pus. Cheek abscesses may develop from thorns embedded and festering in mouth tissue.
Goats are particularly prone to abscesses. If a goat has several abscesses, especially around the neck, it probably has caseous lymphadenitis, a bacterial disease causing abscesses of the lymph nodes. Such systemic abscesses are highly contagious and need a different treatment (see Caseous lymphadenitis and also Sternal abscess).
Prevention
Isolate animals with abscesses from the rest of the herd.
Note: The treatments below are only effective for single localized abscesses. They would not suffice for internal abscesses or systemic abscesses.
Treatment (Topic author: Jan Bevan)
* When the abscess is first noticed, give root decoction of Oregon grape (Berberis aquifolium/Mahonia aquifolium) or root decoction of Echinacea (Echinacea spp.) as the only drinking water. Abscess may rupture or be absorbed and disappear. Prepare the decoction as follows: 1/2 cup of coarsely cut dried root in 1 cup of water. Bring to boil and simmer for 10 to 15 minutes. Dilute 1 cup of the resulting fluid with 1 gallon of water and give as the drinking water. * Note: If abscess grows large, lance at base (not top), clean out pus, and keep wound open until it heals from inside out. Give the above root decoction of Oregon grape (Berberis aquifolium/Mahonia aquifolium) or root decoction or Echinacea as the drinking water. Continue Oregon grape or Echinacea treatment for seven to ten days, even if the symptoms have disappeared. Also feed ample amounts fresh or dried comfrey (Symphytum officinalis). * Warm Epsom salt packs, applied externally to the abscess. Dissolve 0.5 kg Epsom salts in a pot of hot water to make a saturated solution. Soak a cloth in the solution and apply the hot cloth to the affected area. Alternatively, Epsom salts can be spread liberally on a hot wet cloth and applied. Leave on for 1 or two hours; repeat as required for 2-3 hours.
Caution: Treat any goat with an abscess as highly contagious, and isolate the animal from the rest of the herd for several weeks until it is healed. The pus in an abscess may be caused by Staphylococcus aureus or Streptococcus sp. Wear disposable gloves when treating, and dispose of all medical waste carefully.
Be sure that the lump is not a hematoma, which resembles an abscess but is filled with blood. It follows a sharp blow, as for example from a horn. A hematoma feels soft or doughy and has body temperature. If in doubt, use a sterile needle to draw fluid from the lump before lancing. A hematoma should not be lanced because it may bleed profusely
my mums got a pygmy goat called Jasmine and she had a boil. my mum dranied, washed and dressed it herself..the smell was like nothing on earth ..it smelt like rotting flesh
great info kitty . that might be worth printing up and keeping handy. hopefully you will never have any problems with your goats, but if you do, it could save you some money in vet costs.
The info is applicable to any kind of animal, or poeople. I had an acute adult onset acne that would progress to boils, I just got it to where it is well under control. I wonder if the echinacea would have helped. I used repeated doses of anti-biotics, followed by a yogurt, no fat or oil, supplimented diet. Also, I use a soap once a day that is medicated. So, I fight it internally and externally, daily. It took 2 years to get it to where it is under hand. I guess it was hormonal. I never had acne as a kid, neither did my mom. She got it as an adult and took antibiotics for years. The idea of draining something from the bottom makes sense, so the infection can clear itself. Also, the idea of epsom salt compress is intrigueing, I did not try that either. Yah, Dusty I copy/pasted and mailed myself a letter with it all on it. I looked at 100's of echinacea articles before I came across that, could not imagine ever finding it again.
Puttin. I took veterinary medicene my 3rd year of college.Trust me, you don't even want to know what those lectures were. The teacher was great, a practising veterinarian, that loved the gritty stuff, and making us squirm.
Puttin.
