⚠️ Not veterinary advice. This guide is for education on minor issues only. If you are unsure, or your animal is in pain, call your veterinarian. In an emergency, call immediately.
Foot rot / foot scald / overgrown hooves in goats
Should I call the vet?
Typical signs: Limping, foul smell between toes, red moist skin, overgrown hoof walls.
Call your vet now if you see
- Several animals lame
- Swelling above hoof
- Down on knees, won't rise
What you can do
- Trim hooves (every 4–8 weeks).
- Foot bath with zinc sulfate or copper sulfate per label.
- Move to dry ground.
- Isolate lame animals.
When to call the vet
If severe, spreading, or not improving in a week.
Normal adult vital signs (at rest)
Goat
| Vital | Normal | Concerning |
|---|---|---|
| Temperature | 101.5–103.5 °F | Over 104 °F or under 100 °F |
| Heart rate | 70–90 /min | Over 110 at rest |
| Respiration | 12–20 /min (higher in heat) | Open-mouth breathing |
| Rumen | 1–2 contractions/min (left side) | None, or left side tight like a drum |
| FAMACHA (eyelid) | Red–pink (score 1–2) | Pale pink/white (4–5) = anemia |
| Manure | Firm pellets | Diarrhea, clumps, none |
Young animals differ. Learn each animal's healthy baseline and record it.
More from Should I Call the Vet?
All 51 topics · Goat records · Parasites & toxic plants by state
Other goat topics
- Minor cuts & scrapes
- Rain rot / rain scald
- Eye irritation
- Bloat
- Parasites (worms / anemia)
- Diarrhea (scours)
- Enterotoxemia (overeating) warning signs
- Urinary stones (male goats/steers)
- Sore mouth (orf)
- Lice / mange / skin irritation
- Polio (thiamine deficiency) warning signs
- Mild mastitis
- Pinkeye
- Mild cough / respiratory (calves, kids)
- Milk fever / ketosis around calving/kidding
- Heat stress
Keep every record in one place
Herd Papers keeps vaccines, Coggins, vet and farrier visits, weight and body condition for each animal, and reminds you before things come due.
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