I have a 9 mon. old doe that is limping. I think she may have gotten her foot caught in something, or maybe accidentaly stepped on by our horse. It isn't obviously swollen anywhere, but her injured leg is much warmer than the others, and it seems most painful around her ankle joint. I have checked her leg & hoof over very carefully and there are no signs of broken bones or puncture wounds. Anyone have any suggestions about relieving the pain or how to help her get better? The limping started last night around 9pm; she isn't worse or better tonight.

Thanks!

-- Sharon in AL (Sharonspaws@aol.com), January 18, 2002

Answers

You can give aspirin - use a small amount of water to dissolve the aspirin. Add a drop or two of molasses, not too much, or some Karo. Suck the mixture into the syringe and feed it too her. I use the sweetener just because they like it and won't fight as much the next time you want to dose her. As far as what is causing the problem, it could be caused by too much grain, believe it or not. What exactly is she fed, including hay types and mineral/salt? Please include how often in your answer.

-- Dianne Wood (woodgoat@pacifier.com), January 18, 2002.

Asprin just covers it up, so she doesn't feel it, then dances around & makes it worse. M S M is the best stuff. $i4.00 per lb. tsp in drinking H2O, 2

x's a day. been usingthe one for horses on myself for 11 years. Nothing like it.

-- Elizabeth Quintana (rockshelter@webtv.com), January 18, 2002.

She's fed 2 parts goat feed to 1 part alfalfa pellets. They've all had their grain increased a little due to winter time and all but 3 does are pregnant, (this one is not pregnant). As to the exact amount per goat... well, this doe is one of the lowest in the goat pecking order, so it is getting around 2-3 cups a day at the most. They are also fed dried tree branches with lots of yummy leaves, and all the grass hay they want. How does grain cause limping? Just curious, so that it may not happen again.

-- Sharon in AL (Sharonspaws@aol.com), January 18, 2002.

Posted my thoughts on the "other" post...hope you find it !!??

-- Helena (windyacs@npacc.net), January 18, 2002.

That is a lot of grain for such a young doe. I would be afraid of making her too fat to breed, especially if you aren't going to breed her until fall. But chances are it's just an injury. If there is no thorn or anything embedded in the hoof, and her appetite is good, just watch her. She will most likely improve within a day or two, I can't tell you how many does I have worried over and then they were fine a couple days later.

-- Rebekah (daniel1@itss.net), January 18, 2002.

Sharon an increase of protein, like more grain, higher protein of grain, getting into the grain, or turning out onto good pasture can founder or cause laminitis. But it usually presents in both front feet, not one, and its like they are walking on eggshells, not holding the leg up. Be very careful using the aspirin or anything else orally, without protecing the rumen. saanendoah.com has info on asprirn dosages. jeffersequine.com sells buteless an herbal but which is given for pain, but like on the other post, I think the pain helps her not use the hoof. Vicki

-- Vicki McGaugh TX (vickilonesomedoe@hotmail.com), January 18, 2002.

Well, I tried the peroxide and found a very small little cut on the back of her hoof. It wasn't deep and doesn't seem to be large enough to cause her to hold up her leg. We trimmed her hooves while we were looking at her.. they were getting a little long. Still no obvious problems, so I guess we're going to wait and look closely at her foot every day. I haven't given her anything for pain. Thanks for all your ideas!

-- Sharon in AL (Sharonspaws@aol.com), January 19, 2002.