The Accidental Smallholder Forum
Livestock => Goats => Topic started by: Dogwalker on May 08, 2013, 08:08:57 pm
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This lunchtime my last goat kidded triplets.
The last out is very small and her back legs are contracted up at the 'knee' joint. She slithered out after her big stuck brother. I didn't expect her to survive but the doe licked her clean with the other two and some how she managed to get to the teat to suck. In a way it would have been easier if she hadn't. :( Now I've got o face doing something with her.
I know contracted tendons can right themselves but I think this is too bad and she'll never be able to walk.
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How awful. I would however take her into the vet for a second opinion and at least then cheaper than call out and you can make the right decision as to whether you give her a chance.
Thinking of you and glad I don't have that decision to make. :gloomy:
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Sorry to hear this, Debbie. What a decision to have to make. Had a puppy with deformed back legs once and had to decide but my ex rang the vet and he advised culling. He offered to do it my my ex did. I never could ask how.
Hope your vet has better news for you. :hug:
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I've had a kid with contracted tendons - front legs and with splinting and as much physio as I had time to do he did very well and was a normal goat within 2 weeks. If she was strong enough to feed she much have a bit of fight :fc:
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I had a last of triplets with the backlegs bent the wrong way, not sure if that's what you have. However he also had a hole where the cord had joined the belly, either ripped off at birth or by over-eager mum. He was screaming and in pain when I got there, so it had to be a quick dispatch.
However if you can move the knee joint I would get a second opinion from the vet, and if he is negative you are already there to get it done quickly and painless for the kid. Sorry, but sometimes these things happen...
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I am just wondering if, the two larger kids took up more room in the womb, and this one has been squished up in there. If the little mite can suckle, and does not appear to be in pain , I am wondering if there is a chance it may come right, or can be helped. I have had a few smaller kids with very strange looking leg joints at birth, and they have looked a lot improved after a few days.
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Awwww, so sorry to hear that - but definately worth finding out if the vet can do anything. Fingers crossed for you :hug: :fc: :hug:
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Massage & then splint them whilst the tendons are still soft. Make take a little longer than normal contracted tendons but they will probably come right.
Make sure the legs are really nice and warm when you splint.....the tendons are softer like this. My gut feeling would be to take her away from the others as she will get bullied a bit. Also with both legs splinted she may have issues getting about for a while but indoors , you will be able to monitor everything as well as feed her easily !!
Had one myself like this and she came right completely. You may have to buy the tiny splints from the Vet but it will be well worth it.
Can you put up a pic as the legs are at present.?
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Just back from the vets, she was pts. :'( :'(
It seems so unfair that a kid with so much will to live was so badly affected when I've had ones die having fought for a couple of days and tried everything to save them.
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:bouquet: :bouquet: :bouquet:
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I am sorry to hear that :bouquet: , especially as it was a girl too, but the vet was probably in the best position to advise you. Still very upsetting though...
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That's really sad it's horrible to lose a kid but at least she didn't suffer. :hug: :bouquet:
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I'm really sorry :hug:
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So sorry for you.
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Thank you everyone.
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:bouquet: :bouquet: :bouquet:
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So sorry, Debbie. :bouquet: :bouquet: :hug: