Why does my Nigerian Dwarf goat faint?

[Jaycies]

Hello everyone! I recently acquired 2 adorable Nigerian Dwarf goats. Intermittedly, during the last few weeks, I’ve noticed that when she gets up after lying down awhile, her legs are stiff and she walks funny when she gets up. Both front and back legs. After a few steps, she is walking normally and frolicking as usual.

I saw that this can be a symptom of CAE. But I only saw reference to the hind legs being stiff, and there has been no knuckling ankles that I’ve noticed. But it scares me enough that I’ve cried myself to sleep the last 2 nights, and plan on getting a test pretty soon to hopefully shed some light. Honestly, I have been so bummed about this. These were our first goats and she was to be my milker.

I want to add that along with the aforementioned stiff legs, she fainted today while we were out walking. A neighbor drove by on his bike and it surprised her and she just fell over on her side with stiff legs and then hopped back up! She fainted!

Let me also add that this has happened twice before, but I didn’t realize it was a faint. The first time (about 2 mos old) she tripped over the hitch on my dad’s trailor. She fell off and then flipped on her side with the stiff legs. I was horrified and thought she was dead! She hopped up and seemed fine (but I wasn’t!) I watched her closely for a few days looking for any signs of injury or pain. She was fine, so I forgot about it.

Fast forward a month, she was enjoying a 4ft high newly built platform and jumped off for the first time. When she hit the ground, again she fell over stiff-legged and then hopped back up! I was thouroughly confused by this time and briefly wondered if there was a goat form of epilepsy. I never considered a faint, bc she is a purebred Nigerian Dwarf Goat with papers!

I have read that there is a very slight chance that if both parents have a recessive myotonic gene that fainting can happen in the offspring? God, I hope so! That would be so much better than CAE. But it seems impossible. Is it possible?

I believe, my dear, you have a fainting goat. I'm smiling as I write this as I too have one although mine is a pygmy and she is a fainting goat. But the symptoms you explain here is exactly what my girl does and she's now 15 years old. I hope this gives you some sleep and peace as well.

Please keep us posted. <3

 

[MiniSilkys]

Pardon my ignrance, but fainting is caused by a myotonic gene mutation... This mutation has been found in other species including humans. In that context, being purebred may actually increase the likelyhood of uncovering a recessive mutation due to selective breeding practices. Am I missing the mark here? Not disputing that it could also be a disease process, but it seems more likely that your little one is the byproduct of a pairing that resulted in a recessive expression. I'd let the breeder know, thiugh, as this is apparently an undesirable manifestation and thus they sjosho consider either culling or at least no longer pairing the parents.

Just my minimally informed two cents...

I believe you are correct, but6 that does not mean either needs to be culled or not even no longer choosing that mating. Just because they both may have that gene does not make it undesirable. Some pick mating's just to get the fainting gene.

 

[MiniSilkys]

Wow, I’m learning a lot. I had no idea there were long haired nigies! My chickens and goats get along great, although it’s been hell keeping the goats out of the chicken coop. No matter how small we make the door, it’s not small enough! They have magic powers to make their bones collapse or something. Lol So, I’ve been forced to keep it closed during the day with only the upper door open for the chickens to get in and out.

Thank you! Spice does have gorgeous coloring. I felt bad wethering him, but couldn’t justify having a buck with just one doe.
View attachment 52689

I wish I could have mated Spice to my does. He is so pretty. My buck likes to hop on his back legs too. I will post a pic soon.

 

[Goat Whisperer]

I would certainly talk to the breeder.
And to a vet.

If she is myotonic IMO her papers should be revoked.
This is not a normal situation, and as a breeder who shows Nigerian Dwarfs I would want to know.

If this is another issue, and the kid dies, I as a breeder would be very skeptical if the buyer were to wait this long before saying anything.

 

[OneFineAcre]

Pardon my ignrance, but fainting is caused by a myotonic gene mutation... This mutation has been found in other species including humans. In that context, being purebred may actually increase the likelyhood of uncovering a recessive mutation due to selective breeding practices. Am I missing the mark here? Not disputing that it could also be a disease process, but it seems more likely that your little one is the byproduct of a pairing that resulted in a recessive expression. I'd let the breeder know, thiugh, as this is apparently an undesirable manifestation and thus they sjosho consider either culling or at least no longer pairing the parents.

Just my minimally informed two cents...

You are correct !!!

 

[OneFineAcre]

I believe you are correct, but6 that does not mean either needs to be culled or not even no longer choosing that mating. Just because they both may have that gene does not make it undesirable. Some pick mating's just to get the fainting gene.

Mytonic traits are disqualifying for Nigerians in ADGA, so her offspring should not be registered in ADGA in my opinion.

 

[Goat Whisperer]

You are correct !!!

Have you seen this in ND's before?
I know is can happen. But IMO I think the goat should still be looked at by a vet.
Our buck (that died of the heart issue) acted like a myotonic goat, however three different vets came to the same conclusion- is was indeed his heart. Hopefully this is not the case with this goat.

I certainly would not breed her.

 

[IstaItan]

I think the choice if breeding or not breeding her comes down to personal objectives. If she possesses individual desirable traits, is healthy enough to carry and care for kids, produces healthy kids displaying desirable traits for that farm, and the owner is prepared to appropriately care for and manage any offspring born that are either not marketable or that the mother fails to care for, there's no harm in breeding her.

Myotonic goats are a bit more novelty- think laboradoodles and maltipoos- although they did historically serve a purpose of their own. If your goal is to register and show, or produce show stock for others, then maybe breeding this doe isn't the way to go. But if she is otherwise desirable, there is certainly a market in various areas where myotonic goats are quite desirable- usually as pets like mine.

I don't disagree that a major defect should also be considered, and I'm sorry, Goat Whisperer, for the pain of your loss.

Based upon description, duration, and pattern, it's not the top of my rule out list despite it being a possibility. When my dog comes in from running the property toe-touchy lame, I'm aware that it could be an anterior cruciate ligament injury, but the first thing I check for is the simplest, then work to most complex... I look for a burr or thorn between his toes, then screen from there and involve the vet when I've failed to postively identify the culprit and need further diagnoatics. It's less stressful on the animal and on the budget that way.

 

[OneFineAcre]

Have you seen this in ND's before?
I know is can happen. But IMO I think the goat should still be looked at by a vet.
Our buck (that died of the heart issue) acted like a myotonic goat, however three different vets came to the same conclusion- is was indeed his heart. Hopefully this is not the case with this goat.

I certainly would not breed her.

I've never seen it, no.
But, remember when AGS started the herdbook back in the 1980's it was "open", so I'm sure some with some fainter in there probably made it in.

 

[OneFineAcre]

I think the choice if breeding or not breeding her comes down to personal objectives. If she possesses individual desirable traits, is healthy enough to carry and care for kids, produces healthy kids displaying desirable traits for that farm, and the owner is prepared to appropriately care for and manage any offspring born that are either not marketable or that the mother fails to care for, there's no harm in breeding her.

Myotonic goats are a bit more novelty- think laboradoodles and maltipoos- although they did historically serve a purpose of their own. If your goal is to register and show, or produce show stock for others, then maybe breeding this doe isn't the way to go. But if she is otherwise desirable, there is certainly a market in various areas where myotonic goats are quite desirable- usually as pets like mine.

I don't disagree that a major defect should also be considered, and I'm sorry, Goat Whisperer, for the pain of your loss.

Based upon description, duration, and pattern, it's not the top of my rule out list despite it being a possibility. When my dog comes in from running the property toe-touchy lame, I'm aware that it could be an anterior cruciate ligament injury, but the first thing I check for is the simplest, then work to most complex... I look for a burr or thorn between his toes, then screen from there and involve the vet when I've failed to postively identify the culprit and need further diagnoatics. It's less stressful on the animal and on the budget that way.

Nothing wrong with breeding her.
But, if she truly has the myotonic trait, then her offspring are disqualified from ADGA registration.
It's not a matter of choice. When you sign the paperwork and present the animal for registration you are certifying that the animal is eligible for registration.