Odd Scab

[Kali Sink]

Hello all!

I have a strange, scabby question.  

My doe had a very small, red scratch on her side about 2 weeks ago that has grown into a quarter-sized, thin scab.  Nothing about it looks particularly angry or shocking -there isn't any heat, redness, or swelling beneath it- but the fact that it continues to grow is starting to alarm me.  I'm still fairly new to goats and was wondering if this sounds like a red flag for a random goat condition to anyone out there.  I'm hoping it's simply an insect bite of some sort that she continues to irritate (she loves dragging her side against fencing) but please shout it out if this sounds like something else!

Thanks-

Kali

[Laura Cunningham]

It could be ringworm, a fungal infection. You can use betadine, 1:10 bleach:water solution or other antifungal products. It is something that is transmissable to humans and other animals. I would treat it - the fact that it's growing and potentially spreading is weird.

[Deborah Niemann-Boehle]

You didn't mention oozing pus, and that's not a common area for caseous lymphoma, so it's probably just from rubbing. I'd check her over carefully for lice. They are very small and can be hard to spot, so you'll need to pull the hair apart in several areas and just watch for a few seconds to see if anything is moving.

[Kali Sink]

It's located on what I would call the upper flank of a horse. It's a few inches in front of her hip bone and below her spine, in a fleshy area. Strangely, I noticed a similar scab in almost the same area on the other side this evening. That leads me to believe it might just be from a particular rubbing method or sleeping position she has these days. I hope, at least! But I would welcome any and all opinions.

[Deborah Niemann-Boehle]

Where exactly is it?