Help ASAP! Update page 3! Bacterial?

[Be Bop N Bubba]

I'm sorry to hear about this. Ive seen this happen one time but with a horse that foaled twins. Because of the way they were lying and space constrictions the colts legs were fused straight back and the fillys neck had twisted and was fused. It was an awful mess, they lost all three horses. I know that the vets have a shot for horses to help the muscles on foals that are wind swept. I hope everything turns out alright.

 

[mogolady]

Windswept in horses will sometimes cure itself.

I think it is do to uneven pressure on the growth plates of the legs while in-utero, resulting in uneven growth. Once they begin to put even pressure on them they can begin to correct themselves. But, not always. You usually put them in a protected, smaller area (stall) and hope they begin to heal as they slowly start to use them. Not sure if vet has medication like above mentioned, they may. Don't know if this might apply to your little guy or not.

You wouldn't think this guy would be crammed up since he was a single but you never know. Praying for him to be kickin' his heels up soon.

 

[rebelINny]

Well here is an update on "Little Butch". I called a vet tech acquaintance and she came and took him to a friend of hers that worked on his dog's legs when they were somewhat similiar and he was able to get the dogs legs fixed in three months by physical therapy and supplements. He talked to a vet and the vet said it doesn't sound like CAE because those symptoms don't start until they are 2-4 months old they aren't born like that. He thinks it is either a bacterial infection causing inflammation to his joints OR a birth defect. So, our plan of action: He is on antibiotics for 2 weeks as well as aspirin for the inflammation and other vitamins and supplements and legs massages. If he improves in two weeks then I guess that was it. If however he doesn't improve then it must be a birth defect in which case I have already set up with a Farm Sanctuary here in Ny that will take him and have him set up for a surgery at the University and then re-home him after he is healed. I am hoping it is bacterial and all will be well in two weeks but if not at least he may still be able to live a happy healthy life even if its not with me.

 

[Our7Wonders]

Jamie,

When I saw your post before it reminded me of something I read recently. I'm sorry I didn't post it earlier - when you posted it today it reminded me of it.

This is from Pat Coleby's book "Natural Goat Care".

Bent Leg in the Newborn (Contracted Tendon)

The kids are born with their front legs bent under them so they stand on their toes - this can affect either one leg or both legs. The impression is that the flexor tendons are pulled up too tight, which is exactly what has happened. In extreme cases the leg or legs assume an "S" bend.

She goes on to say it's caused by interference in the correct synthesis in vitamins A and D.

She recommends 1/2 tsp cod liver oil straight in the mouth of a nursing baby or she has a recipe for homemade colostrum that has cod liver oil in it for bottle fed babies. It doesn't say how long or often it should be given, but says it's usually turned around in a week.

Because it's so simple I would suggest at least giving it a try - it certainly won't hurt. She suggests making note of the does that produce offspring like this and recommends giving them a cod liver oil booster about 3 weeks before kidding. She says that should keep the contracted tendons from occuring. She goes on to say you could give oral cod liver oil or A,D&E injections. A good CLO is fairly inexpensive and certainly might be worth trying. We use the Twinlab brand CLO - most any nutrition center will carry it and it's not as spendy as some of the other brands.

I hope you're able to get him to turn around.

edited to add, if you do get the Twinlab brand, look for one that is NOT emulsified. They carry both. The emulsified stuff takes quite a bit larger does (Tbsp to tsp if I remember correctly) to get the same amount of vitamins A & D.