The goat farmer’s manual | How to clean and treat a goat’s wounds properly

Wounds in goats need to be cleaned and kept clean to prevent infection. While some wounds can be treated by the farmer, very large or deep wounds should be attended to with the help of an animal health technician, state veterinarian or private veterinarian.

By Maile Matsimela, digital editor at African Farming

Proper wound care starts with having the necessary materials ready and handling the animal carefully during treatment. Collect everything you will need before starting treatment.
Use clean water that has been boiled and allowed to cool, and add a disinfectant that is suitable for use in goats.
Wear plastic or thin rubber gloves while treating the wound. Clean plastic bags can also be used to cover your hands.
The goat should be properly restrained before treatment begins.

Also read: The goat farmer’s manual: How do I handle and restrain my goats?

Clean from the centre to the edge

Clean paper towels can be used if available.
When cleaning the wound, work from the centre towards the edge. This helps prevent dirt from being wiped into the wound.
Once the wound is clean, apply a wound spray that contains an insecticide against flies.
Some wounds may require treatment with antibiotics, particularly if they are large, deep or already infected. If a wound is very large or very deep, consult an animal health technician, state veterinarian or private veterinarian.
After treatment, keep the wound dry and clean and allow the animal to rest.

Also watch: Ask the vet – lambs or kids with scabby mouth or orf (vuilbek)

Clean up properly after treatment

Good hygiene is also important after treating the wound. If the gloves can be used again, wash them thoroughly with warm, soapy water, rinse and disinfect them, and then hang them up to dry before storing them carefully.
Plastic bags, disposable gloves and any paper used during treatment should be burned.

Also read: The goat farmer’s manual: A step-by-step guide to taking a goat’s temperature

The growth under the tail of this animal was probably cancerous. Photos: Hannes de Villiers

When a wound does not heal

Farmers should be aware that some open wounds may not heal even when they are washed and treated. Such wounds could be caused by cancer.

Cancer occurs more often in older animals than in younger animals and can occur on light-coloured, bare skin that has been exposed to the sun. Only a veterinarian can treat cancer and remove it through an operation.

However, even an operation may not help if the wound is already quite large. In such cases, it may be best to cull an animal affected by cancer.

The information in this article is sourced from the Goatkeepers’ Animal Health Care Manual published by ARC-Onderstepoort Veterinary Research with the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Agriculture and Environmental Affairs. For more information, contact your animal health technician, veterinarian or another appropriate animal health professional.