Neuro problems in FF

[Deleted]

Our Nomo had a rough time of it the last 6 weeks or so.

She slipped on the ice out there, and was down the last week or so of her pregnancy. We induced her because we were worried she was going to lose the use of her back end. She delivered three premature kids; one died, the other two are lovely.

But her rear end just hasn't been the same since she slipped. Her stance is a bit catty-whompus, and she doesn't have much strength in her hips. If she gets bumped by one of the other goats, she goes down in the rear, and she struggles to get back up.

All that aside, her coat is lovely, her mucus membranes nice and pink; great appetite, and she's producing tasty milk.

She's young (just two years old), so that's in her favor.

Does anyone have suggestions for some kind of physical therapy or other intervention that would help her to heal?

[mollymckee]

I'm no goat expert, but I've had pretty good luck with other species. I'd separate her so she doesn't get pushed down. I'd worry about her re-injuring whatever is hurt, or hurting something else. We had a big Duroc boar slip, pull something and do nerve damage. The vet said he'd never get up. He had a great disposition, was easy to handle, and a great sire so we tried. We keep him quiet. I gave him a high vitamin diet with lots of supplements. He recovered. I'd give her time and protect her from more injury if I could.

[Deleted]

Mar 29, 2015 18:48:44 GMT mollymckee said:

I'm no goat expert, but I've had pretty good luck with other species. I'd separate her so she doesn't get pushed down. I'd worry about her re-injuring whatever is hurt, or hurting something else. We had a big Duroc boar slip, pull something and do nerve damage. The vet said he'd never get up. He had a great disposition, was easy to handle, and a great sire so we tried. We keep him quiet. I gave him a high vitamin diet with lots of supplements. He recovered. I'd give her time and protect her from more injury if I could.

Was definitely going to recommend the vitamins and supplements.  Also since she was in late stage pregnancy her muscles especially the back, belly, and hip area were already stretched tightly I am thinking there wasn't a lot of give to them so I would suggest muscle therapy.  I haven't had to do this for my goats but I have done it for a horse and a dog.  Have added a pic of how the back muscles lays knowing this will help, while stroking and manipulating the muscles you are also searching for knots these are usually indicative of torn muscles or nerves that are trying to heal back together, by applying a light but firm pressure to these knots for about 20 - 30 seconds will encourage blood flow to these areas which will help them heal faster and more uniformly.


Wanted to add you are not trying to give her a deep muscle massage that could actually have an adverse effect.  Start with light and firm, she should relax.  I know you are very aware of your goats body language so you'll know you got it especially when she falls asleep on you ;p

[Deleted]

Sounds good, Molly. I'll give her loads of B vitamins as well as a whole-food multivitamin and her mineralsupplement. Also, a peanut butter sandwich now and again. She loves peanut butter and yogurt.

I decided against drying her off. She really likes her kids, and doesn't seem to mind sharing them with her mother. At least some of the load is off of her.

[Deleted]

Wintrrwolf, we must have been posting at the same time.

WOW! Those are great pics (and why are some of the labels in Russian? LOL)

The weather is nice, I think she needs a PB sammich and a relaxing massage.

Thank you!

[Deleted]

She's not looking good today. No appetite, leaning against walls and trees for support when she urinates.

I dosed her with Banamine, B vitamins with an extra dose of B12 and thiamine.

I have that bad feeling in my gut...

@coso, you know the back story on this one. Any ideas, or does this just happen sometimes?

[Deleted]

Is she eating at all. Sounds like she may be low on carbs, Peanut butter sandwich is good. I have one that is off feed, and therefore off milk also. Might mix her up some mollases and water. She needs to keep her energy up. Might want to consider giving her some propylene glycol, and see if she perks up for you.

[Deleted]

Mar 30, 2015 19:26:31 GMT @coso said:

Is she eating at all. Sounds like she may be low on carbs, Peanut butter sandwich is good. I have one that is off feed, and therefore off milk also. Might mix her up some mollases and water. She needs to keep her energy up. Might want to consider giving her some propylene glycol, and see if she perks up for you.

Thanks for getting back to me, Coso.

Nope, not eating at all. Yesterday, she eagerly ate a Chobani yogurt and half a peanut butter sandwich.

Today, she turned her nose up at the Morning Mix (oats, alfalfa pellets, BOSS), and also a very tasty leaf of good alfalfa hay. That's when we brought out the pharmaceutical arsenal.

She's dropped a lot of weight. Until today, though, she was okay on eating and keeping up with the herd. I was pretty disappointed when I injected her: She is thinner than I thought. We've been holding off on milking her, and allowing the kids to also suckle the herd queen, Trub, so Nomo can have a break. (Trub is none the worse for the wear. She LIVES to feed kids!)

I'll give it another day (depending on what I find when I get home in a couple hours), but if she continues to go downhill, well... I'm not the sort to wait until an animal is in extreme pain before I do what's necessary.

[Deleted]

Golly, got home half expecting we were going to have to put her down, and she was up and eating.

Stinker. Whew!

Fed her a peanut butter sandwich, and then her concentrates.

She's drinking, too, so there's another blessing.

This morning, she was nosing in my pocket, looking for more peanut butter. Yes, there was a sandwich in there for each of the milkers. LOL

[Deleted]

How is Nemo doing?

[trailrider]

I don't have any experience with goat neurological problems, but I would follow all the advice above. Keep her quiet and avoid letting her get pushed down. She may come around in time.
Several years ago I had a White Chinese gander get his head well stuck in a chain link fence and pull back. I thought he would never make it. He couldn't even sit up by himself much less walk. I propped him up against the side of a portable pen I was keeping him in (indoors.) Made a supportive nest around him with lots of hay. And put food and water within reach. Over time he was able to balance him self upright, then he was able to stand, later walk a bit. It took a couple of months before I got him outside and walking (unsteady, but walking.) I also put him in a filled water trough and helped him to swim laps. Little by little he gained use of his legs and was 80% right until the end. His spine was always crooked and he limped, but he still had a good life. Just saying, do what you can if she is not in terrible pain. She might need a lot of time. But may come around eventually.

You might NOT want to do the swim therapy!

[Deleted]

She seems to be holding her own, but Emily suggested something we hadn't considered: Meningeal worm.

I'm going to MFA to pick up some Safeguard. The new protocol is just safeguard, 10x the cattle dose, for 5 days. No more Ivomec, which is good.

[Bear Foot Farm]

was down the last week or so of her pregnancy

That would make me think "milk fever" and she needs extra calcium

The good news is you can feed her TUMS antacid, since it's basically food grade limestone (Calcium Carbonate) if you can't find other sources cheaper

[Deleted]

Oh, she had plenty of calcium. She loves Tums, and we also hit her pretty heavy with CMPK.

She's doing a bit better, and loves those peanut butter sammidges! Still going to treat with Safeguard, though. I don't worm regularly, but with the issues we had with meningeal worm last year, I am taking NO chances.

[myheaven]

This is my thought. With the issues of her back end with the last bit of her pregnancy.i remember the thread on it. She may need dex for nerve swelling/pinch/injury. Also being alone. I have a bad back and even though I want to get back at it the day I deliver I seriously need time down and alone not being pushed. Can you give her 6 weeks with just her kids and a few shots of dex (steriod) to help her back along with a back massage or two or six?

[myheaven]

Oh also peppermint oil is so fabulous at reducing pain and swelling in the back and carpel tunnel.

[Deleted]

I had a doeling who was injured last year by herd mate. It was a mid spinal injury and effected her back end. At its worst, she couldn't stand. The vet came and gave her an anti-inflammatory and she stood on her own in about a day but she still couldn't use the one leg well.

I prefer not to give lots of drugs and didn't want to get more medicine from the vet for the inflammation, but I use Holy Basil for myself in cases of inflammatory injury and decided to try it on her. It helped a lot. I'd give about a fourth of a human dose three times a day and when the swelling was relieved, she could do her own physical therapy, so to speak, just doing her normal goat activities.

It took about three weeks and she walked normally again.

[Deleted]

When it happened, I dex'd her and banamine'd her for good measure.

I don't like to overdo the steroids because of the long-term effects.

I will try the peppermint, and order some holy basil.

Thanks for the suggestions!