Update on my girl ...

Minelson · #21 03/01/13, 07:23 PM

I think you are spot on. And yes an x ray will not show a ruptured or protruding disc. The Dex will help. Rest and anti-inflamatories are your best bet. Plus the massage and keeping things moving under controlled supervision. I would take it easy on feeding any carbs because that can cause inflamation. No corn in other words..
I am sending Runty lots of healing vibes.!

aart · #22 03/02/13, 06:38 AM

Had a dog with a bad disk, couldn't barely move her back legs or control her bowels, and it happened all of a sudden. I came home form work and she was down. Took her to the vet and he said that alot of disk problems can be injuries and/or bacterial infection. He put her on antibiotics and pain relief, said it might heal and might not but it might get worse before it got better. It got a bit worse but began to improve slowly after a few days. Eventually she fully recovered, tho once in a while it flared up and she had pain using her back legs.

Ya never know with spine and nerve problems. Wishing the best best for y'all.

Cygnet · #23 03/02/13, 03:09 PM

It's a step of about a foot up to get into my (former) chicken coop, where I'm keeping her. (It's nice, with a wood floor and great ventilation.)

I propped her up on her sternum on the edge of the step, with her back feet on the ground, this morning. She did NOT want to take any weight on her legs. I've seen her kick out pretty good (and she'd kicked me in the knee when I picked her up) so I pretty much knew she had more power than that.

But she was justcollapsing like a limp noodle every time I let go of her. (???)

I finally growled at her to, "HEY!" ... and wow, suddenly she could (almost) stand. Felt a bit guilty for yelling at her, but she just wasn't even trying.

I had to help her keep her balance while her kid nursed and I stripped out the remaining milk, but she HAS a significant amount of use of her back legs. She also didn't seem to be in any pain, but she was very reluctant to try to use her legs.

This afternoon, I did the same thing, and she was able to support even more weight on her back legs, and without me holding her. In fact, after nursing, for physical therapy, I pushed her back and forth and made her work those psoas muscles and quads that seem to have taken the most damage. She never once tried to lie down at all.

She's probably still in some pain and just doesn't even want to try because it hurts. This goat does not do pain well -- most goats I've known are fairly stoic, but she sure isn't.

Cygnet · #24 03/02/13, 03:17 PM

And Minelson, I feed alfalfa plus supplements (replamin, tums, etc.) -- no grain unless I have a goat who genuinely needs the extra calories. I have a strong aversion to feeding grain unless absolutely necessary. Every time I've tried to add grain to a goat's diet when it wasn''t absolutely positively necessary, I've had metabolic issues crop up. Every. Single. Time.

aart · #25 03/03/13, 06:30 AM

Sounds like good news, just keep at it.

Pony · #26 03/03/13, 07:39 AM

Just came across the stories of your recent challenge. You are doing SUCH a good job!!! Keep it up, and don't feel bad about having to be a drill sergeant every once in a while. You have noted that she is the sort who needs some stern encouragement. Hard to do, but wow! You're already really doing so well.

My hat is off to you!