Doe walks on her heels?

[mikayladawn]

I know this is not normal, and she walks stiff-legged because of it. What can I do to help? What could have caused it?
Back feet:

On a side-note, this same doe just kidded recently (it was a bit of a rough one) and she has not really come out of her funk. She seems a little subdued and doesn't have a huge appetite. She is taking care of her kid fine, but she just doesn't seem very lively. I have been giving her 'goat power punch' (basically the same as NutriDrench).

 

[Southern by choice]

Most people are going to scream Selenium.... so if you are in a deficient area it might be that... more than likely a multi vitamin/mineral deficiency.

Our sheep vet recommends to all her goat sheepies when this happens to fix this recipe.

Cook up 1 cup outmeal
add 1tbsp molasses
add 1tsp-1/2 Tbls of KELP mix it all up and give 1 ball in am 1 ball in pm ( one batch is 2 balls) within 3-5 days she should be fine. Continue with high quality feed hay amd free choice loose minerals.

Once you have the kelp you can add it to the loose minerals.

Sea Kelp (we use SOURCE- is found in the equine section in a small. probably 1 gallon tub--- it weighs about 8 lbs... you will have this for YEARS... It is about $28 It is great to give a week before kidding and 3-5 days after kidding... you can also give some goat nutri-drench too.

 

[OneFineAcre]

If a goat shifts it weight to it's heels or pasterns it's an indication that their hooves are uncomfortable or they are experiencing pain.

Are her hooves warm to the touch?

She looks like she may be foundered (Laminitis). Or, it could be hoof rot.

Are the walls of her hooves split?

I just googled "foundering in goats" and saw one walking just like that.

It usually comes from feeding too much grain, but I also read that it could be caused by kidding complications.

I think you should get a vet to check her out.

I've seen other posters on here recommend soaking hooves in some type of solution for hoof rot. I'm not 100% sure but I think it was a mild bleach and water solution. Maybe someone for sure will comment.

The article I just read about foundering said that if the hoof or lower leg is warm then you should soak in cold water to cool off.

But, I think you should get a vet to check her out.

 

[Southern by choice]

Great info ONE FINE! I have never seen that before, just looked it up.... going back to see more

Vets are always a great resource too!

 

[OneFineAcre]

Great info ONE FINE! I have never seen that before, just looked it up.... going back to see more

Vets are always a great resource too!

The thing that was most concerning to me was that I got the impression from the OP that this was "sudden" and the doe had just kidded.

One of the articles said a retained placenta or an uterine infection were possible causes. But, it's usually feed related just like horses.

But, if the feet are warm to the touch the cool water is to minimize damage.

It' not necessarily as serious as it is with horses and ponies. But, it can be serious to the point they start walking on their knees.

 

[Pearce Pastures]

x2 especially if this was a sudden change.

 

[mikayladawn]

It had started before she kidded, and I had figured it was because of the weight of all those kids, but then it got worse a lot quicker after she kidded. Because of this I'm going to assume that this is a food based issue. I'm not sure what is wrong with it, but could you guys 'evaluate' my feeding schedule? (by the way these are NDs)

everyone gets 1-2 cups of southern states goat grain (depending on status: lactating, preg., etc.)
a small handful of BOSS
manna pro goat mineral
about an acre and a half of pasture
mixed grass hay
and lately they have been getting a bit of alfalfa pellets (after this whole thing started)

Honestly, she has had nearly free choice grain for the past week or so since she doesn't eat much at all. She is a bit skinny for my tastes, so at this point I want her to eat as much as possible, BUT if this is foundering I should just take the grain away right?

 

[lovinglife]

Maybe a picture of the entire doe? I am interested in all this myself, my doe did that right after birth but now is fine..

 

[OneFineAcre]

It had started before she kidded, and I had figured it was because of the weight of all those kids, but then it got worse a lot quicker after she kidded. Because of this I'm going to assume that this is a food based issue. I'm not sure what is wrong with it, but could you guys 'evaluate' my feeding schedule? (by the way these are NDs)

everyone gets 1-2 cups of southern states goat grain (depending on status: lactating, preg., etc.)
a small handful of BOSS
manna pro goat mineral
about an acre and a half of pasture
mixed grass hay
and lately they have been getting a bit of alfalfa pellets (after this whole thing started)

Honestly, she has had nearly free choice grain for the past week or so since she doesn't eat much at all. She is a bit skinny for my tastes, so at this point I want her to eat as much as possible, BUT if this is foundering I should just take the grain away right?

Your last line said she had nearly free choice grain. I think that's the first thing you should stop. I'd love to see a picture of her as to her overall condition. You can feed two goats the same way and they may react different. Don't forget, you pasture is has become more lush over the last few weeks. I'd stop the boss for now. Stick with the alfalfa pellets, and I would make sure she got no more than a cup in the morning and a cup in the evening of the feed for now and monitor her condition.

Check her hooves too. The wall may split some on the side.

I've had one get a little foundered myself. Some animals are just a little more susceptible. We were able to get her straightened out.

 

[mikayladawn]

Nothing felt hot to the touch, and her feet weren't at all overgrown, but I cut as much as possible off since the article said get it down to the pink. Sorry the side-view wouldn't load so I'll take another this afternoon.

Side-Note: as a first freshener is this udder good? I don't have to milk her any since she is feeding one kid right? (I do have to with other mothers of singles since their bags are humungo.)