[Lynda]

I have a Boer baby who has a front leg that looks like it's started to bow. Any idea why it would be doing that?

He will be one month old in a week. He is 1of 5 babies but the only one his mom rejected. He was close to death when someone called us to see if we wanted him. We saved him and he seems perfectly fine now except for this leg thing going on.

 

[Alice In TX/MO]

Likely needs a selenium and vitamin E supplement. It’s called Bose. Pronounced BōSee, and available as an injection from the veterinarian.

 

[mzgarden]

Agree with Alice. What are you feeding him?
If you can't get a vet to give you the Bose, you can as a (not as good) second option pick up a tube of vitamin e/selenium from a farm store or order it. When my kids are born, everyone gets a bit of VE/SE gel as part of the kidding process.

 

[motdaugrnds]

You can also help that leg by putting splints on it...depending on where it is trying to bow. The selenium is a good idea to strength from the inside; and the splints are an external aid. Since he is already a few months old I suspect it might be a little late; but maybe not...

 

[Alice In TX/MO]

Plus, if he is destined for barbecue, it’s not as important.

 

[mzgarden]

For splinting - we use pool noodles, cut in half long wise and wrapped around the limb or pipe insulation. They are sort, a little flexible and having the split, are easier to wrap around the leg.

 

[Lynda]

You can also help that leg by putting splints on it...depending on where it is trying to bow. The selenium is a good idea to strength from the inside; and the splints are an external aid. Since he is already a few months old I suspect it might be a little late; but maybe not...

He's only a month old tomorrow. I bought the vitamin E and splinted his leg. How long do you think he needs to wear the splint?

 

[Lynda]

Agree with Alice. What are you feeding him?
If you can't get a vet to give you the Bose, you can as a (not as good) second option pick up a tube of vitamin e/selenium from a farm store or order it. When my kids are born, everyone gets a bit of VE/SE gel as part of the kidding process.

He's getting whole milk in a bottle.

 

[Alice In TX/MO]

He needs selenium

 

[motdaugrnds]

You will need to guess as to how long to leave a splint on that leg...were it me with the baby I would look closely at that leg and find out if the bone is actually bowed or that baby is just not using his joints correctly. That will determine where and how you place the splint; and it will also help you determine how long to leave the splint on. (I've not had a baby with the "bone" actually bowed; so cannot speak as to how a splint would work in such a case.)

Getting selenium into that baby is a priority!

 

[Justaffagirl]

Are you keeping him or selling him for meat if he’s for meat still treat him to help him but I know many people who don’t treat it if the goat is just going for meat because they don’t wanna spend lots of money on something there just gonna eat. But me personally I would still treat him no matter if he’s meat or a pet

 

[mzgarden]

@Lynda how's your baby doing?

 

[Lynda]

@Lynda how's your baby doing?

Baby seemed to respond great to the selenium, vitamin E, and the splint. We took off the splint and his leg looked great! He went to live at his new home (yes, we told them of what his problem was) where he will be getting fresh goat milk in his bottle and has a little girl that loves him. Thank you all for your advice!

 

[Alice In TX/MO]

Gotta love a happy ending.

 

[mzgarden]

That's wonderful - congratulations to you, to baby and to the little girl who will shower him with love.