HELP! ASAP...doeling..injured leg!!

Mommyto5 · #1 09/09/07, 08:30 PM

Hi everyone! It's been a while since I've been on the forums, because our schedule has been so hectic. But, I hope you all won't mind me coming here for help!

Tonight my son came to me and told me that one of our Boer doelings (born in March) has a hurt front leg. He noticed it last night when he put them inside, but said she slipped going into the stall, so he thought it was just that. But, then tonight, she fell and he had to pick her up. So, I went out to check on her. She was standing at the feed dish, eating. But, when she puts any weight on her front leg, it gives way. I checked her hoof and I don't see anything. I felt her leg, and she doesn't act as if she's in pain. It seems to be in the knee. It's kind of going "backwards" and then gives out. We don't have a vet. And, haven't been able to find one close by. I did hear of one about an hour away. Should I take her? Or, does anyone have an idea of what it could be? I'm very concerned and want to get on this right away.

Thank you all, in advance, for any help you can offer!

blue gecko · #2 09/09/07, 08:54 PM

I don't have goats and I'm certainly not a vet so I'm just going to toss out a couple of ideas. Could you wrap it or tape it to stabilize the joint for a couple of days or more? I know goats are pretty adept at eating something like bandages so maybe a collar would be needed. She may have hyperextended the knee and if the ligaments are torn extensively there may not be much that can be done. If in a few days there's improvement then there may be hope if given some time to heal.

wildhorse · #3 09/09/07, 09:21 PM

Is there heat or swelling? move its leg and listen if theres a grating sound its broke. If you wrap it just dont wrap to tight it could cause more harm than good.PVC pipe cut in half work real well for splints.

Patty0315 · #4 09/10/07, 06:40 AM

First I would give her a shot of b vytamins and bo-se to help boost her immune system. Then I would get some foam pipe insulation and some vet wrap and use it . I would leave it on a week and then take it off and she how she did. I do this with babies all the time and have even set broken legs this way.

Make sure you cannot feel a broken bone and there is no cuts.

Patty

Mommyto5 · #5 09/10/07, 04:57 PM

Thank you all for your help. Here's the update...this morning I went in to check on her, and she was worse than last night. Her hind end was dragging and she was staggering. I immediately remembered an article I read in Hobby Farms Magazine, (I think) just this past week, about a lady who found her Alpaca in the pasture staggering. Unfortunately, they had to put it down. When they did an autopsy (not the right name for it!) they found she had Menengial Deer Worm, a.k.a. brain worm. So, I called the vet who is an hour away, and they were able to see her this morning. Well, she thinks that's exactly what it is! There is no sign of trauma and all of her symptoms are neurologic. So, she's being very aggressive with worming and we're hoping and praying for the best. She did say that she's seen animals who have been worse, and responded to treatment. So, it's a wait and see thing. She said she will probably get worse tonight or tomorow, due to the treatment, but within three days we should see an obvious improvement. So, I'm praying that's the case. I'm going to post another thread for those who may have never heard of this. If I hadn't read that article this week, while we were at the beach, I wouldn't have known anything about it.

Thank you all again for your help! I can't tell you how much I appreciate you taking the time to share your advice with me.