Why is my 1-year-old male goat limping after a hoof trim?

It's common to see some mild swelling, tenderness, and even a palpable lump in the area where a vaccination was given. The soreness usually resolves within 2-3 days, but the lump itself may take up to 3-4 weeks to resolve. If it persists longer than that, or if it opens up and begins to drain pus or some other material, I would recommend having it checked by a vet as this would not be expected as a normal vaccine reaction.

Mating can be quite traumatic for the female and if your goat is still very young then she could be easily hurt by the male. Hopefully it is soft tissue inflammation but potentially he may have injured a nerve. You could see if your local large animal vet can prescribe you an antinflammatory injection for her. Definitely keep him away from her.

Thanks for reaching out about Columbo. It is unlikely that a nail trim problem would manifest two weeks later. Trauma to the foot/toe is possible from simple falls. If limping a veterinary visit is recommended to assess and provide a diagnostic/treatment plan. Fractures need to be stabilized in order the heal. if a sprain/strain, analgesia can help recovery. Good luck.

The most common reason for a young rabbit to be limping would be generalized musculoskeletal pain from something traumatic. Certainly as you said nail length can contribute or a wound on the affected limb. However, if you have eliminated these as possibilities, I would say that the next logical assumption is there is a bony or soft tissue injury affecting your bunny. She would probably benefit from a physical exam to see if an area can be isolated, and possibly if warranted, some x-rays could be obtained. Anti-inflammatory and pain medications are also available for rabbits and might provide some significant relief. In the mean time until you can get him in, I would just try to limit his mobility and confine him to a smaller area. Hope this is helpful.

Check her temperature. If she has a fever, call out your farm vet. Potential causes include infection, vitamin/mineral deficiency (namely vitamin E and selenium), parasites (the most worrisome being meningeal worm) or trauma. Keep her warm and as stress free as possible. If necessary, rig up a sling to help her get around. The easiest is a towel slung underneath her behind the front limbs. Without an exam, it is difficult to determine definitively what is happening. If her symptoms are worsening, consider an emergency vet call out or trip to the nearest veterinary ER.

Sounds like either enterotoxemia (Clostridium spp) or parasites like tapeworms. What parasites did you treat for? Tapeworms need a special deworming medication as they are not killed with a general dewormer. Are you vaccinating against Clostridial diseases? If you have a local vet, I suggest you consult with them.

Thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Depending on his age and breed, DJ may have arthritis in one of his joints or an ongoing infection. Certain conditions such as Lyme disease and autoimmune conditions can cause occasional limping, as you described. Your vet can perform x-rays and blood work to rule out the conditions above. I hope this helps and am happy to answer any other questions you may have!