Instructions
Remove the goat from the herd. It may have "caseous lymphadenitis," which is a chronic bacterial infection that's highly contagious and is capable of spreading to an entire herd. The most extreme "treatment" is killing the goat. If you prefer to treat the goat (or don't have a herd), have any abscesses lanced by your veterinarian. If you have a herd of goats, check the entire herd for abscesses.
Locate the knot. Note on paper the knot's location. Examine the knot, looking for signs of seepage. Seepage occurs from an abscess. Abscesses can be lanced at home, assuming you've had some practice with lancing. After lancing and draining the abscess, clean the area with iodine. You may want to send a sample of the pus to your veterinarian to have it analyzed. Antibiotics usually not prescribed for abscesses.
Check your goat's diet. A condition called "goiter" causes abnormal enlargement of the thyroid gland. A goat will form lumps near its thyroid gland if there isn't enough iodine in its diet. Iodine deficiency begins when your goat eats weeds, such as Johnson grass, sweet peas, Sudan grass and sorghum, which block iodine absorption and stop thyroid hormone production. Treatment is easy; just begin feeding iodized salts or mineral blocks to your goat.
Examine your goat's neck for swelling or puncture wounds. It may be that the lump is from a sting or bite wound. Bites from snakes, spiders, scorpions and dogs can all cause swelling and allergic reactions, and may be mistaken for abscesses. For severe bites, place a bandage over the infected area and seek medical treatment. The bite will be cleaned and treated by the veterinarian for infection.
Consult a veterinarian. The possibility that a lump cancerous should be ruled out. Only a veterinarian can determine if the lump is a tumor or an abnormal lymph node.
How to Get Rid of a Knot on a Goat's Neck
Finding a lump in a goat's neck can be frightening. There are many problems that can cause them to show up; some are more serious than others. Proper identification of the knot and its location is necessary to determine the treatment required; it's possible your goat may require medical attention.