Kid born lame

[Terre d'Esprit]

I saw a post on this a few months ago, but I can't seem to locate it. Sorry for the repeat.

Monday a doe delivered twins, with the help of the vet. They were practically braided together in there, and when I went in I couldn't make heads or tails of them.

Both kids lived, but the second one was breech, and his legs were straight out behind him. He took a little resuscitation, but we got him breathing. He couldn't stand, however, as his legs came out behind him as if he were doing a pushup. The vet said to go ahead with the BoSe, but it was likely more the result of him being squished in the womb, and he would be okay, but we would probably have to tube him.

We left him with the doe for about a day and a half, but we'd have to come every 4 hours to help him nurse and then inevitably tube him, since she wouldn't let either of them nurse for an extended period of time (typical, I know). He is now inside, in the mudroom.

It has been nearly a week, and he can put some weight on his legs, but can't even take one step. His legs are more up underneath him than they were last week, but they are still bending backwards, almost hyperextending. It's creepy to see...

My questions are:

1. I have done as much reading as I can on this, it doesn't seem to be a common problem. What I have read says that it is simply a matter of time, that it is all because of the position in the womb for an extended period of time. Does it sound to you like it could be a permanent lameness?

2. If it could be possible that he is lame, at what point in time would we know that it can't be rehabilitated? Will it take a month? Six weeks? Should we resign ourselves to making him a bottle baby? We are taking him out to mom once a day so they don't forget each other-- we had hoped that they would be reunited permanently by the end of this long weekend.

3. If it's a matter of intensive PT, what exercises does one do with a kid? We have pushed his legs up under him as they should be, helped him to try and walk, but just as soon as we let go he falls on his side and can't get up. He lies there and screams. It's frustrating for him and us.

He has good muscling otherwise, and looks to be a nice paint buckling by a buck that I adore. I would like to save him, if at all possible, but I surely don't want a genetic defect or lameness in my herd.

Thanks in advance for your help.

T

[DocM]

Split his legs with the foam tubing that's used to insulate pipes, or just vet wrap if it gives him enough support. Bottle feed him, stop making more work by running him out to mom, get him on a schedule. I would have splinted him at birth, but I think you're still okay. Take the splints off in a week or so and see if he legs have strengthened up. I've splinted goats because of crazy womb positions, and by a month, you'd never have known they were wobblers.

[Vicki McGaugh TX Nubians]

With the splints you will see quickly if this is in his legs or if his hips can't hold his wait. The bo-se won't work because the vet pulled him out by the legs. Likely permanantly damaged if he is not up by now even with bo-se.

Weigh all the work with an unlikely outcome to his value. Vicki