!!HELP PLEASE!!! MY LITTLE PRIZE DOE LOST THE USE OF ANKLE!

[kapfarm]

I gave all my goats shots today in their right rear thigh muscles. My doe was in the same pen as the big does. I left for about a half hour and when I came back she was laying down. She got up when I came in but I noticed she was limping! I am not sure if her leg was stepped on by another doe or maybe I hit a nerve. Her ankle doesn't work much but she can still move it a little bit. Does anyone know what I can do? Ankle brace?

 

[Rockytopsis]

How is she today? Sometimes these things pass.

 

[Roll farms]

I agree, usually it 'gets better' on it's own. If not, call a vet.
Good luck!

 

[freemotion]

Inspect her closely for heat, swelling, or any obvious signs of injury. I agree, she will probably get better on her own.

If it makes you feel any better, a few months ago my little sweetie was putting NO weight on one leg when I went out to feed in the morning. I was about to call the vet in a panic (her leg must surely be broken!) when my friend, who happened to drop in to see the goats, pointed out that she was bearing a little weight now and then, and to give her an hour or two. It sure helps to have an unbiased opinion around! By early afternoon, she was moving normally. My friend saved me a few hundred dollars!

Here's hoping it will be the same with your little girl.

 

[no nonsense]

Yes, if she means that much to you, call the vet!

 

[cmjust0]

I gave all my goats shots today in their right rear thigh muscles. My doe was in the same pen as the big does. I left for about a half hour and when I came back she was laying down. She got up when I came in but I noticed she was limping! I am not sure if her leg was stepped on by another doe or maybe I hit a nerve. Her ankle doesn't work much but she can still move it a little bit. Does anyone know what I can do? Ankle brace?

[url]http://www.backyardherds.com/forum/uploads/thumbs/1155_000_1794.jpg[/url]

What do you mean by "her ankle doesn't work much?"

Does it kinda look like she's sorta dragging the rear hoof as she limps along? If so....watch your other goats. Mine barely pick their back feet up when they walk anyway, so a slight limp can easily make it look like they're dragging a hoof.

I'd hazard a guess that this is just lameness related to the shot, but I don't have the goat right here in front of me to investigate.. If you kinda think it may be worse than that, definitely call a vet.

FWIW, this is why I don't do IM in the legs.. I always go for the trapezius muscle...basically, where the neck meets the shoulder. I try to use a 5/8" 25ga needle, too, if the injectable is liquid enough. When the injection is really watery and fluid, they don't even know they got stuck.

 

[freemotion]

FWIW, this is why I don't do IM in the legs.. I always go for the trapezius muscle...basically, where the neck meets the shoulder. I try to use a 5/8" 25ga needle, too, if the injectable is liquid enough. When the injection is really watery and fluid, they don't even know they got stuck.

Soooo.....cervical trapezius? Thoracic trapezius? That seems like a thin muscle....well, hence the tiny needle. I have given literally hundreds and hundreds of shots to horses, but only a few to smaller animals. I prefer to give them in an area where it will drain well, just in case....but that is horses, who can have their career come to an end with an abcess on the withers.

Tell me more, please!

 

[kapfarm]

It is no better this morning. I called the vet but now am waiting for him to reply. I wrapped some guaze around her hoof but it didn't help. the hoof still rolls under her leg when she walks.

 

[cmjust0]

Soooo.....cervical trapezius? Thoracic trapezius?

Ya got me there.. I just kinda equate it to the 'traps' on a human.. The ones that feel nice when someone massages them for ya.

Here's a pic I found that basically shows where I give IMs.

ETA -- I learned this by watching my vet give a shot of banamine or ketofen to one of our goats once.. He didn't even restrain him..just walked over..jab..plunge..withdraw...done in the blink of an eye. I thought, "Well, that's pretty neat...I gotta learn that trick."

It's apparently the safest place to IM a goat. Not much there to hurt, apparently, and not super vascular.. If I've got a good hold on an animal when I give one, I'll pull back on the plunger just to be sure and I've never drawn any blood back into the syringe. If I can't get a good hold on somebody, I just stick'em and plunge. Never had a problem.

 

[cmjust0]

It is no better this morning. I called the vet but now am waiting for him to reply. I wrapped some guaze around her hoof but it didn't help. the hoof still rolls under her leg when she walks.

Good luck.. Let us know what the vet determines.