Swollen Knee

[Saltlick]

Hi Dave!! I know your herd is negative so it would never cross my mind he had something from there, and he's been super healthy all along (and the most adventurous!). But the other pack-wether I bought last summer, well, I just took the guy's word for it that HE bought him from a negative herd, and then there are a few goats around where I keep mine, and the guy lets them out sometimes and they come up to the fence where mine are. As far as I know it's pretty hard to spread that way, but who knows... But I mainly want to take him to the vet to find out what's wrong with his knee, if it's something that needs drained or treated in any way. He doesn't even favor it, but I'm just worried it may lame him, and he's such an awesome goat (well, when he's not tipping over my coffee in camp, or chasing the other goat and beating the crap out of him!) that I'll be devastated if he can't hike anymore. He's tall now too, about the same height as my 3 year old. Since I have to drive so far to get him examined, I'll just bring the others too and get everyone tested - it's $94 to get all three goats tested for CAE, CL and Johne's so I may as well do it. I just hope his knee gets better. They'll have a two month rest in their pen while I'm gone (it's big, but man will they be bored since they're used to getting out on walks several times a week!) Spoiled.

---

I'm a bit attached to these goats... And I have to put the vet visit on my credit card, so I am a little hesitant, but since I'm leaving for two months I think I should just get that knee looked at. Kids!!! Next thing you know he'll be wanting an iPad!

---

Hi Taffy! first I used Ivermectin pour-on and diatomaceous earth, which worked last year. Next I tried Python Dust. Then I tried Ultra-Shield Ex spray which is permethrin and pyrethrin. They are still itchy, but not nearly as bad. Today I bathed all three of them in oatmeal and chamomile shampoo to try and soothe their skin, since the pour on dried out their skin so much and caused one of them to get all flakey. I feel sorry for them! I'm going to dust them and the environment one more time before I leave, and hope for the best. I don't actually SEE any live on them any more, but as far as mited go I can't tell. I did originally find lice two months ago when they were super itchy. Last year they has a round of it, but with just two treatments of the Ivermectin pour-on and DE it was over.