goat with tendon problem still not better

[Mrs. Turbo]

I just don't know what else to do for the little guy. The vet put a splint on the front leg because he had a constricted tendon. I was to straighten it a little more and re-wrap everyday. Did that but now when I take the wrap off he won't even try to walk on the leg and it is very swollen. I am thinking he might be better off if I put him down.

 

[helmstead]

That's too bad, sounds like the splint wasn't applied well. So sorry!

Time to reevaluate your feeding and vaccination plan for your goaties to avoid this happening again...esp. with your bred does. In my experience, contracted tendons due to uterine cramping are not that severe...usually just some knuckling over of the fetlocks which resolves within a week of birth.

 

[ksacres]

Quote:
This has been my experience as well. More often than not, they resolve with no intervention.

Sounds like there is an underlying problem here.

 

[Mrs. Turbo]

I did put out some loose minerals and I have bose shots on hand. You know, when I was a kid we fed our goats and sheep corn and sweetfeed, never had problems....luck I guess.....same with the chickens.

 

[cassie]

If I were you I would take the splint off and then try to stretch the legs out manually two or three times a day. You should see improvement within a week unless there is something else going on.

 

[cassie]

Could you describe the contracted tendons? Is it both front legs? How much are they bent? Are the legs bent completely? Like kinda how they would be if he were lying down with his knees bent and his legs folded underneath him? Not exactly but close. There is a birth defect where the legs are bent and cannot be straightened. It is hard to describe, but I would recognize it if I saw it. Any chance of pictures? BTW, these kids are bright and alert, but they will not improve.

 

[Mrs. Turbo]

I will go out and take some pictures and post them....thanks

the entire leg is swollen and I am not sure if I should put the splint back on.....the vet tech said to put it back on when I called, but I can't get the leg as straight as before. Can a goat live on 3 legs???

 

[BeardedChick]

Mrs. Turbo :

I will go out and take some pictures and post them....thanks

the entire leg is swollen and I am not sure if I should put the splint back on.....the vet tech said to put it back on when I called, but I can't get the leg as straight as before. Can a goat live on 3 legs???

Yes, a goat can live on 3 legs. A front leg is easier to live without. However, one of our neighbors has a goat with only one back leg.​

 

[Mrs. Turbo]

He runs around and plays with his sister and doesn't seem bothered my the leg. I would think the swelling would be a little painful. Not sure if you can see swelling in the pictures.

 

[ksacres]

It does look swollen. My first thought with that is that the splint was too tight or improperly placed. Not good.

If you are going to have it removed, sooner is better than later, kids heal faster than adults b/c they are still growing naturally.