kid's front leg not working

[edmonds]

Newborn kid (one of two just born during night) has one front leg that doesn't work. The last joint (ankle?) seems bent the wrong way and the knee joint doesn't straighten out all the way. It is having trouble walking; the leg kind of folds under the kid. Should we put a splint on it or wait and see?

[motdaugrnds]

I cannot get a good "picture" of what your words are saying; however, when I have new-borns having "weak" back legs, I give them 1/4 cc Bo-Se. This usually works.

Once a few years ago I remember having a kid with one back leg that kept folding backward at the ankle. I did not know much about goats at that time; so I used a stiff piece of foam I had, placing it around the ankle making sure the hoof could not fold under. Then wrapped it in duck tape. Oh yes I did! In a few days I took it off and all was fine. (I suspect now all it really needed was a little Bo-Se.)

[pookshollow]

Wouldn't hurt to splint it for a couple of days, and give the kid some Vitamin E. The cardboard rolls from toilet paper work well - just make sure you don't wrap it too tight and cut off the circulation.

Also, make sure she's getting enough milk, if she's having trouble getting around.

[Creamers]

Give the kid Bo-se - you get it through the vet

[Goat Servant]

Most likely it will straighten on it's own by the end of the week, but BoSe will help.

[Backfourty,MI.]

Bo-Se will help, but if you don't have that handy now, poke a hole in Vitamin E capsule & squirt the liquid in his mouth. He was probly reall cramped up inside momma!

[edmonds]

Thanks everyone who responded.
We gave her some vit-E and put a splint on the leg. She stands better and can now get more milk from mom (before she kept falling down). We are also supplementing the kid with bottled goat milk as her mom does not seem to be developing very large utters. We'll she how she does.

I notice another recent thread with a similar issue: kid with bent front legs
Kid with bent front legs

[Backfourty,MI.]

Just be sure & check her splinted legs daily to make sure they aren't cutting the circulation off or hurting her. Normally they will straighten out in a few days.