Kids born with weak legs

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We had an oberhalsi buck & doe born yesterday 10 days before day #150. The buck needed a little assistance, his arm was tucked under him, and as soon as I straighted it, he slipped right out. His sister was born easily too. My doe received her BoSe shot at breeding season and again about 4 weeks ago along with CD&T. These 2 kids are born with weak legs. They are both falling back on their pasterns and their front legs are turning outward. The buck is worse than the doe. She's at least getting up on her own. He needs help to stand, but once he's standing, he's able to stay standing. They're eating fine and their plumbing works okay too.

We had a doe born last year, with her legs just like this, so I gave 1/2cc BoSe to her and she straightened right out. So, I gave these little kids the same, but it hasn't helped yet. Do you think that they're just a little weaker because they were born a little early? Any helpful advise is appreciated.

By the way, Mom is fine.

-- Charleen with Obies in WNY (harperhill@eznet.net), March 01, 2002

Answers

I think they should stiffen up in a few days. We are selenium deficient here too, and have seem varying degrees of the same thing. Small kids and triplets seem to be more affected than big, strong twins born to mature does.

-- Rebekah (daniel1@itss.net), March 01, 2002.

Charleen, I hope that your kids are fine. I would give them a few days to get stronger. Maybe ask your vet if you can safely give them small BoSe shots at weekly intervals. I had a little buckling that got a series of 4 BoSe shots before he was 3 weeks. He turned out fine. He was early also.

Do you show your Oberhaslis?

-- shari (smillers@snowcrest.net), March 01, 2002.


Hi Charleen, 10 days early is VERY early, doesn't sound like much, but 140 days is really young. I would have also given the Bo-se, but I also think you are probably seeing some premature weakness also. Really watch their ability to regulate their body temps, but also be very careful of dehydration from a heating pad. You may also want to give them E by mouth, just buy the 300 IU vitamin E from Wallmart, and snip the end giving them the gel by mouth. As long as they keep a really strong sucking reflex they will be fine. Vicki

-- Vicki McGaugh TX (vickilonesomedoe@hotmail.com), March 01, 2002.

Hi Charleen. Since we're in the same area, do you know for a fact we're selenium deficient? I'm just wondering if it had anything to do with my one doe delivering stillborns. She didn't have a BoSe shot. Do you feed sunflower seeds? Hope all is okay. I have two more does due in April, so am wondering about the selenium shot. I know a respected breeder whose vet administered the shot and it caused the death of two does.

-- Lynn (moonspinner@bluefrognet.net), March 02, 2002.

Everyone pretty much covered it, the only thing i wanted to add is that in case you can't get Bo-Se you may have to use another more concentrated form, Mu-SE, its 1/4 CC for the dose of Mu-SE

-- Bernice (geminigoats@yahoo.com), March 02, 2002.


Thanks to all who responded to my question. It is now 3 days since they're birth and their legs are better. They are now jumping and twirling like normal kids.

I've found a map on the Saanendoah website of selenium deficient areas, but the map is dated 1967. Does anyone know if there is more recent information? http://www.saanendoah.com/map1.html

-- Charleen in WNY (harperhill@eznet.net), March 03, 2002.


Charllen the very best information is going to come from folks in your area. If you would like I could send you the info for clubs in you state? We are also not in a selenium defficient area, but where is your hay, grain etc. grown? I know where my hay comes from, but certainly not my grains! Vicki

-- Vicki McGaugh TX (vickilonesomedoe@hotmail.com), March 04, 2002.

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