limping

dm9960 · #1 12/15/09, 05:09 PM

my new goat is limping. front right foot. at first, it was a small limp, now she holds her foot up and hops. she won't let me touch the hoof, the rest of the leg, no reaction. I called the guy I got her from, he said she got her leg caught in the fence when they were getting her and it was probably strained. any thoughts? thanks

madness · #2 12/15/09, 05:50 PM

Hmmm...you probably should just force the issue and look at her foot. Do you have a stanchion? If not, get someone to help. She might have just strained it in the fence or she might have a more serious problem that needs intervention. Make sure nothing is stuck in the foot, caught between the toes, etc. Check for oozing - a sure sign of infection.

dm9960 · #3 12/15/09, 06:06 PM

thanks, I think I will force it if she doesnt seem any better by the morning. hopefully I'm just being an over protective newbie

dm9960 · #4 12/16/09, 12:28 PM

checked her foot. herhoof looks good. she has swelling just above the hoof, like at her ankle. no sign of a cut or anything, so I'm hoping it is just a strain.

madness · #5 12/16/09, 02:43 PM

Do you have any banamine on hand? I don't typically give it unless the goat is off feed or really looks miserable, but my vet is always telling me to give it when there is swelling or some kind of injury. It will reduce the swelling and could jump start her back on track.

Keep a good eye on it. I'm not sure if you should wrap it...I know some people do for injuries like that. I don't have any experience with a strain/sprain that has lasted more than a day so I'm not sure!

This is a good time to asses your goat first aid kit - simple stuff to start: banamine (you do have to have a vet Rx, but most should give it to you), vet wrap, thermometer, blood stop powder, etc.

Good luck with her!

dm9960 · #6 12/16/09, 03:21 PM

thanks so much for the advice! you're right, this is the perfect time to get my goat firsth aid kit together. what about LA200? I heard that is pretty good

DQ · #7 12/16/09, 05:54 PM

la200 for her problem now or your medicine cabinit? antibiotics can cause lots of trouble by killing off beneficial bacteria and should only be used for highly suspected or confirmed infections or you risk causing more trouble then you had to begin with. generally if she doesnt' have a fever or an open wound she doesn't need antibiotics. if the skin isn't broken it is rather unlikely that an infection is causing her pain. the swelling is troublesome though. make sure you check closely between the toes in very good light for anything she might have stepped on.