The Accidental Smallholder Forum
Livestock => Other => Topic started by: Talisker on April 22, 2009, 11:54:39 am
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I have a very happy British saanen goat who seems to have liost the use of her legs. Brought in a few weeks ago, eating like a
horse goat, but I presume has lain down too long and she def won't get up. Any tips on help?
Have had her suspended on a pallett, and on a bale, rolled her on her back to try to get her to exercise her muscles.
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Don't feed her and when she is hungry she'll maybe get up and follow you for the food? Is she overweight anyway? I find it hard to get up froma chair soemtimes, but it's my own doing ;) ;D ;D ;D
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Could it be milk fever? Had she recently kidded? Others here will know better than me about this but more info would be helpful.
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Not kidded this year - she was thinnish when we brought her in - wouldn't say she's overweight either. Wondered if she might have had a mild stroke?
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Am I right in thinking she was walking when she arrived?
If not up and going soon she never will be.....it would be cruel to leave her like that and I would get a couple of people to lift her....If she can take no weight.....do the kindest thing and have her put to sleep.
Big animals that 'go down' very rarely get up again even with slings and the best treatment
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Hi Talkisker, how is your girl now? Hopefully she is on the mend.
James
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Its unusual for goats to go down anyway- they tend to do the opposite and refuse to sit down, because they know they won't be able to get up again.
Have you felt down the legs for anything hot? Particular the feet in case its laminitis? And I'm assuming you would have mentioned if she was pregnant? I have known goats go off the legs in the few weeks before kidding, which can be a couple of things.
Beth
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Thanks for all your help and suggestions. Unfortunately she has now died. Looking back I am pretty sure she had some sort of stroke - one eye wasn't opening properly for a few days and that was around when she stopped using or even trying to use her front legs. She gave us a cracking pair of twins a year back and we'll miss her.
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I am sorry to hear that. I lost a Pygmy Goat a few years ago and it was a terrible experience. The vet think he died of somme sort of Meningitis but none of the other 3 had anything. In the end it also looked as though Wallace had had a stroke - he looked like he had brain damage if that makes sense? All through the treatment the vet has assured me he was going to be ok and not to worry! We had to eventually put him to sleep as he started fitting, not nice and he is still missed.