Fainters (Myotonic goats)

hobohill · #1 01/28/10, 07:47 AM

We bought 2 Boer-looking pregnant does last October. They kidded in dec. All the usual. Yesterday, I took them to browse and they cut thru the next door neighbors', the dog (chained up) barked at the one and she keeled over just like a fainter! I turned her over on her chest and she got up and acted normal. She did it again a few hours later after our herd dog put her back into the barn. She is about a yr. old. Does anyone know any other reason this could happen? She had a hard kidding. 1st timer and we had to bottle raise her very large buckling. Her legs did lock up when she was startled.

FarmerChick · #2 01/28/10, 08:18 AM

that is what they do. any startling or scared behavior etc is going to result in locked muscles. will happen all the time.

here is a great site for myotonic goats
www.tennesseemeatgoats.com

Backfourty,MI. · #3 01/28/10, 09:53 AM

Maybe they are Boer/Fainter crosses?

deineria · #4 01/28/10, 10:54 AM

I thought if you crossed fainters, they stopped fainting - lol. . . I'm curious now!

beccachow · #5 01/28/10, 12:32 PM

I beleive and please correct me if I am wrong, that the "fainting" is a neurological issue and that they even outgrow it? If it is a neuro issue, is it possible that a non-fainting breed of goat could have it, too?

FarmerChick · #6 01/28/10, 12:47 PM

Myotonia is a dominant genetic trait, which means that it shows up frequently in cross-bred animals. A goat that is 50% myotonic may display myotonia.

the above link I provided chats all about myotonia. I never knew much about it til I read the info from the site. It is very interesting actually. I wouldn't want to be a "stiff and fall" breed..HAHA

**mygoat** · #7 01/28/10, 01:47 PM

Also, goats don't grow out of myotonia, but it is related to startlement... If they get used to a situation they will not be startled by it anymore, and will stop fainting. Tame fainters or those that are exposed to many situations may rarely faint.

Also, it is a gentic issue that CAN pop up in any breed or line at any time.

HappyFarmer · #8 01/28/10, 06:36 PM

MyGoat is correct. It can pop up in any breed of goat, and is seen in quarter horses, pigeons & people, too.

The older they get, the less startled they become with familiar thing, but more importantly they learn to stay away from things that make them faint (like jumping on a rock or leaning on the fence pole), and learn how to balance themeselves so they do not fall over so much.

There are many misnomers about the breed. Don't believe everything you hear, peruse knowledgeable sources to learn.
HF

deineria · #9 01/28/10, 08:16 PM

Ah, okay. Glad to know. I thought once crossed, they no longer fainted.

hobohill · #10 01/29/10, 08:38 AM

I bought these 2 does at auction. They look FB Boer, only one has shown the trait. They are both first-fresheners and about a year old. I didn't know that all breeds could have this trait. I was worried because this doe had a hard kidding, bought them pregnant, and that may have some relation to the fainting. But, it's been nearly 5 weeks. She eats well, berries are normal etc. Wormed her with ivomec when she kidded. No other irregularities. Thanks for putting my mind at ease. I want her for breeding to my Boer/Kiko buck. Thought I might have to butcher her. Now I can keep her.