Week old kid had her foot stuck in a little tree branch for quite a while it seems and either dislocated it or broke it. It oddly seems longer than the other. It is not really bothering her and she is quicker than wind but just drags one front leg along. This little doe is the closest I have to a fullblood boer doe (figures) so I would like to keep her for breeding purposes if it didn't cost a fortune to fix. Anyone had luck w/ broken limbs on goats? Any suggestions? Being a front leg it seems she could still be bred even if it heals crooked. Thank you

-- Jacki (rambrozaitis@snet.net), April 21, 2002

Answers

Hard to say without seeing it .Some have splinted them with alot of luck , some have even used pvc pipe.

-- Patty Gamble (fodfarms@hotmail.com), April 21, 2002.

Sorry I deleted your email .Run you hands down the leg are there any bones sticking out ? Can you feel any swelling or cracks ? Where exactly is the injury , just above the hoof ? You might do well with soaking it and confining her for a few days .Depending on how it was stuck there could be damage due to lack of blood.Try to be as exact as you can describing the injury .

-- Patty Gamble (fodfarms@hotmail.com), April 21, 2002.

Since the injured leg seems longer to you, then probably should get a vet to look at it, as this is more indicative of a joint problem that will need some type of intervention to correct it. As to fractures in young ones, most are what are called “green stick fractures” (similar to what happens when you try to break a green stick, one side breaks and the other side bends, after the stress is removed the stick goes back together). However, if you can not make a determination as to type of fracture (if present) and soundness of the joints, then contact your vet.

-- BC (desertdweller44@yahoo.com), April 21, 2002.

I would also say a dilocation because of the difference in limb lengths. Put the baby between your legs, on the ground, so that you can contain her and feel all over both affected and not affected limbs. Just feel for any difference in the joints, and if they feel the same, feel the long bones. If you feel a dislocation, and there hasn't been too much time lapse since the injury, you can sometimes rub it (hard) or pull it (gently) back into place. BUT, I would probably take an important animal in, just because I'm a wimp when it comes to inflicting pain! Hope it gets better! Cara

-- Cara Dailey (daileyd@agalis.net), April 21, 2002.

Took the nice little doe to the vet this a.m. and nothing is broken. Too bad because that might have been better news. She has nerve damage in her shoulder area and he doubts she'll come around. He suggests giving her til Friday to see if there is any healing. She is 7/8 boer and a good looking kid. :( Thanks for all the advice you offered.

-- Jacki (rambrozaitis@snet.net), April 22, 2002.

If she is not in pain I would hold off .Keep activity to a limit. In the worse case you will have a good size meat kid to eat .If she is suffeing put her down.

-- Patty Gamble (fodfarms@hotmail.com), April 22, 2002.

Animals are amazingly resilient. Hold off for a while. Give her as long as you want so long as she's not suffering and the others aren't picking on her. She may get better DESPITE us all. Or would that be TO SPITE us all? Anyway, good luck!

-- Gailann Schrader (gtschrader@aol.com), April 24, 2002.