Re: to suziesgoats/off topic...sort of

[Guest guest]

and Gayla are more knowledgeable than I when it comes to goats.. In fact, we all three belong to a great goat list Holistic-Goats/ which I highly recommend you join. I have never encountered this so I' m not going to be much help... but I will forward this to the group so when you join, introduce yourself and you'll probably have answers right away.

Suziteresa <tmbdobie@...> wrote:

Dear Suzie,I would like to know if you have knowledge of herbal/natural remediesfor goats? The reason that I ask is because we try to keep our goatspretty natural, healthy, and happy. It does not always turn out goodthough. Our Toggenburg "Spring" had two precious baby girls, but onehad contracted tendons(bent knee) in the right front leg, and theother had it in both front legs. After research, I discovered that amain cause for this in newborns is because of inability to usevitamins A & D, quite often caused by grazing under power lines. Assoon as I read that, I realized that Spring's favorite grazing spot isat the top of the hill out back...there are power lines running alongthat entire upper section beyond the trees. None of the other goatsspend much time up there.Sadly, we lost the

one with the double leg troubles...her motheraccidentally smothered her by laying down on her this morning. Theone with one bent leg is getting better about running on three legs,but we would love to be able to help her. We have been heating andmassaging her leg, we give her cod liver oil for Vitamins A & D, and wegive her nutri drench vitamin & mineral liquid. If you have any suggestions, I would love to hear them. Thankyou,

[Guest guest]

Theresa

I just found this for you

Bent Leg in the Newborn (Contracted Tendons)

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. I used to think this was just one of those things that would right itself — it usually did — eventually. Some authorities list it as being hereditary, but it is not. Drought or overhead main grid power lines can both interfere with the correct synthesis of vitamins A and D.

My last untested (for CAE) doe to kid produced two does with badly contracted tendons. I gave them the homemade colostrum mentioned in the section on CAE. Within a few hours, the kid’s legs had straightened completely instead of taking the usual week. The next doe to kid was from the same place as the first one; both had ongoing vitamin A deficiencies, possibly due to the fact they were reared under power lines. Again the kid’s front legs were deformed and the A and D worked just as fast. In this case the mother was able to feed her own kids, so I gave each one half a teaspoon of cod liver oil straight in the mouth.

Recently a friend called me with a six-week-old kid that had a contracted tendon in one leg only. It was so bad that the leg was twisted right around. I felt that in one leg there could be a deformity, but suggested that she try the A and D. To her amazement (and mine) the kid came good in a few hours.

Goat farmers should make a note of does who produce kids with this complaint and give them a cod liver oil booster about three weeks before kidding. This should prevent contracted tendons from occurring. The does could be given either A, D and E injections, or oral cod liver oil.

Bent Leg in Adults

This is usually caused by a sudden increase in phosphate-rich feed resulting in a possible withdrawal of calcium and magnesium from the bones. The goat pictured here was given extra alfalfa hay coming up to kidding because it was a particularly hard winter. The diet should have been altered by giving extra oaten chaff, bran and little barley with as much good quality grass hay as desired. I also recommend the following additions to routine supplements:

Give 1 tablespoon of dolomite with each feed for a week, then cut it back to the regular dessertspoon 1 tablespoon of cod liver oil 1 pinch of borax in the feed twice a week 1 cup of cider vinegar with each feed Seaweed meal ad lib

Once the leg starts to harden up, go back to the regular ration but avoid sudden increases in rich feed.

Suzi

Senior Moderator

What is a weed? A plant whose virtues have not yet been discovered.

http://suziesgoats.wholefoodfarmacy.com/

Celebrate 's 10th Birthday! Netrospective: 100 Moments of the Web

[Guest guest]

I have only encountered bent legs when the babies were cramped in the womb. As Suzi said, the Holistic Goat group could be of help. I know the legs can be splinted gently and the splints rewrapped every couple of days until they are stretched. As for the lack of A & D absorption, I haven't a clue. Sorry, but since Suzi mentioned my name, I thought I had better respond, even if negative.

Gayla Always Enough RanchAcampo, Californiagoatclearing@... http://coloredboers.home.att.net/always.html

----- Original Message -----

From: Suzanne

health

Sent: Thursday, March 03, 2005 8:07 PM

Subject: Re: to suziesgoats/off topic...sort of

and Gayla are more knowledgeable than I when it comes to goats.. In fact, we all three belong to a great goat list Holistic-Goats/ which I highly recommend you join. I have never encountered this so I' m not going to be much help... but I will forward this to the group so when you join, introduce yourself and you'll probably have answers right away.

Suziteresa <tmbdobie@...> wrote:

Dear Suzie,I would like to know if you have knowledge of herbal/natural remediesfor goats? The reason that I ask is because we try to keep our goatspretty natural, healthy, and happy. It does not always turn out goodthough. Our Toggenburg "Spring" had two precious baby girls, but onehad contracted tendons(bent knee) in the right front leg, and theother had it in both front legs. After research, I discovered that amain cause for this in newborns is because of inability to usevitamins A & D, quite often caused by grazing under power lines. Assoon as I read that, I realized that Spring's favorite grazing spot isat the top of the hill out back...there are power lines running alongthat entire upper section beyond the trees. None of the other goatsspend much time up there.Sadly, we lost the one with the double leg troubles...her motheraccidentally smothered her by laying down on her this morning. Theone with one bent leg is getting better about running on three legs,but we would love to be able to help her. We have been heating andmassaging her leg, we give her cod liver oil for Vitamins A & D, and wegive her nutri drench vitamin & mineral liquid. If you have any suggestions, I would love to hear them. Thankyou,