swollen foot on young kid

new day...new problem.....i have a kid goat under 6 months old, that has been limping and today i inspected his foot, since he wasn't putting any weight on it.  This picture isn't all that great, since it's tough to take a pic of a fidgety goat with one hand while the goat is upside down.  I think i should lance this but i'm fearful of cutting on the goat and giving him tetanus.  Any thougts?

Poor little thing.

Is it hot to the touch?
What does it smell like?  Other than manure.

I can't tell from the photo what the swelling is like.  I know what you mean about goats and photos.  they are so camera shy when upside down.  

Do you vaccinate for tetanus?

I favour the non-invasive approach when possible.  For me, when I don't know what causes something, I take the animal to one of my gurus or to the vet.  I get them to walk me through the diagnosis procedure, especially if I'm paying the vet money.  I learn so much from my vet and I never have to go to see him for the same problem twice.  If I was in that situation and considered lancing, I would probably do it with my vet.  I haven't lanced an animal before so the first time to do an invasive procedure like that, I would want guidance.  But your situation is different and I don't know your skill set.

Probably just stepped on a thorn or nail or something. At such a young age is seems unlikely it is foot rot, though you did show the hoof itself. That is where foot rot will form. I have had bumble foot on lambs of that age a few times, but that is rare and will be very hot to the touch, and mine were always a bit higher on the leg.

Any of the three have the same treatment if you chose to do it yourself. 5 cc's of LA-200 which you can get at any Tractor Supply or other Livestock Store, and inject subcutaneously under the skin. Do this on day one, wait a day, then give a second shot on the third day. LA-200 is a strong, long lasting antibiotic which is why there is a wait of a day.

Another trick I use for foot rot and injured hooves is to mix tetracycline powder (sold at Tractor Supply as well) and mix it heavily in a water bottle. If you are talented, you can get them to stand in the bottle and get the antibiotic to soak into their hoof/wound, but I am not that good. Typically I take a small drill bit (1/8th or so) drill a hole in the cap of a 20 ounce water bottle, and then spray the antibiotic directly on their affected hoof. It works well. I have a lot of sheep so I have a foot bath, but for individual seep with hoof problems, this is what i do. In fact I got a sheep now with hoof issues so don't feel alone.

When I worked with goats, we never turned them upside down like you do with a sheep, except the angoras when they got sheared.  I was taught there was something different about the way their spines were made and it was bad for them to be sat on their rumps.  But anyway, we would tie them by the head and pick up each foot in turn like you do with a horse.  Bit backbreaking though if you have loads!