GOAT Hoof Care
A goat’s hooves require proper care in order to keep the animal healthy and thriving. Left uncared for, lameness will occur via overgrown toes, hoof rot, hoof scald, and abscesses. With continued neglect, the pain becomes so great that the goat becomes incapable of walking on its feet, causing it to crawl along on its knees as it attempts to forage. Soon, starvation sets in as its feeble attempts at crawling become insufficient to sustain life. However, in most cases, these ailments are preventable through regular hoof trimmings, sound pasture management, and good nutrition.
Types of Hoof Infection
Hoof rot and hoof scald are quite similar and are often confused with one another for good reason. Both are the result of bacterial infections in the hoof, and both cause debilitating pain and lameness. However, scald is caused by the bacterium , while rot is caused by a combination of and . These infections often occur simultaneously in two or more hooves, although it’s not uncommon for a single hoof to harbor these infections. Standing water and consistently moist or wet pastures and paddocks, such as those seen in a
