I have a "rubbery goat". You ask, "what is a rubbery goat?" I will tell you, and if you have any suggestions on what to do, please tell me! I "rescued" this doe. She is a Nubian/boer cross. She is 11 months old. She is really sweet! We named her sugar. Well, sugar is very timid. She has a tendency to "rubber" her legs and fall to the ground when she is intimidated, or scared, or another goat rams her (gently even). She is most rubbery looking in her front legs, although her back legs are somewhat rubbery also. She acts like she has never ran, and I take her out each day and run with her. She follows me, so she has to run. But, for her to hop up into the stock trailer was nearly impossible for several weeks. The first week we had to literally carry her into it. It is not that high!! Course, when we tried to help her up into the trailer, she went rubbery and that is when we had to carry her. Now, after several weeks, she can almost make it herself...but, there are lots of times that she just gets in, goes rubbery and just lays there. Any comments? Any suggestions? Thankyou, Sissy

-- Sissy Barth (iblong2Him@ilovejesus.net), March 17, 2002

Answers

Sounds like a Fainting Goat! Are you sure of her breeding?

On a more serious note, could she possibly have a selinium &/or copper deficiancy? You said you rescued her... from where? Was she "rubbery" from the time she was born or is this a more recent problem?

-- Sharon in AL (sharonspaws@aol.com), March 17, 2002.

I agree, sounds like the characteristics of a Mytonic or "Fainter" goat. I also think it may be due to mineral deficiencies too if not. The reason I think its her breeding, Mytonic, is because you mentioned when she is scared or intimidated. My friend had Mytonics and they did this a lot when upset or scared.

-- Bernice (geminigoats@yahoo.com), March 17, 2002.

The fainting goats usually get stiff legged, not rubbery and the hind legs get stiff first.They do have a hard time jumping up on to things

-- SM Steve (unreal@msn.com), March 18, 2002.

We had two fainters here during a long haul, we babysat them. They aren't rubbery :)

But even having said that I haven't any real clue what could be wrong with her, anything ongoing that long surely would have showed worse and worse symptoms, till she was finally down for the count. I would check her for anemai, perhaps it isn't so much rubbery ad she is just weak? I would give her a good worming, and if she does have white or grey gums, perhaps red cell and B vitamins to perk her back up. Sounds like you have the good food and hay part down! She could have had a huge worm burden after leaving her former house, and you are just seeing anemia. But that is a far reaching guess!!! Vicki

-- Vicki McGaugh TX (vickilonesomedoe@hotmail.com), March 18, 2002.

I talked to the owner of this goat. He said that she was born with a twisted front leg; it looked to him that she had been positioned funny in the womb for a long time, and that is how she came of it. He said that after several months she quit dragging it along and actually started using it. As the months went on, her leg straighten out (I can't even tell which one it was) and she was up on all fours just fine! (His words)....I know this farmer, and he is not big on minerals, and I have minerals out all the time, so I know she is getting that. I had been pondering the vitamin shots, and some red cell, I will go ahead and do that. I did worm her pretty heavy when she came, and gave her some anit-stress gel. Today, I took her apart from the others and fed her some good feed, and some corn. She is very sweet. Thankyou for your thoughts! Sissy

-- Sissy Barth (iblong2Him@ilovejesus.net), March 18, 2002.

I found something on the scrapie fact sheet and I didn't want to mention it at first,from fear of sounding ignorant.But since no one was sure of what was causing your goat Sugar symtoms I thought I" copy and paste the part I though might be of interest. Scrapie: ( An infected animal may appear normal if left undisturbed at rest. However, when stimulated by a sudden noise, excessive movement, or the stress of handling, the animal may tremble or fall down in a convulsive like state.) You didn't mention convulsive like state but you mentioned she falls to the ground when scared or intimidated

-- SM Steve (unreal@msn.com), March 21, 2002.

I personally would have the vet out to do a check up since the mention of scrapie. Scrapie is not typically a goat disease, but a sheep disease. I don't have time to look up the symptoms, I have not committed them to memory. however, since there is a mention that your goats could possibly have this, to avoid any further doubt, have the vet test her. You certainly don't want to be accused of having scrapie if you truly do not. Clear up any inklings immediately.

-- Bernice (geminigoats@yahoo.com), March 21, 2002.

I had another person write me regarding the scrapie, and it put a fear and a chill in me! Spent several hours on the internet researching it. You know, I just don't think she fits the symptoms. For one, the symptoms start after several years of age in a goat, and sugar is only 7 months. And, she is gaining more strength, as I feed her by herself, and as she is getting out and running with us. She can even hop up into the stock trailer (which has several inches of hay in the floor) in one jump and not falter now! So, thank you for your concerns, they are definitely valid! But, tomorrow I think I will call the vet just for a 'chat'. In His Grace, Sissy

-- Sissy Barth (iblong2Him@ilovejesus.net), March 21, 2002.

Hi Sissy,

If I remember correctly scrapie has been diagnosed in 7 goats in the US. Of that, I believe 5 were induced. Unless this goat ran with sheep, and that herd had scrapie, I wouldn't worry about that.

Sounds like a difficult gestation, possible mineral deficiencies during same. She's gaining strength and confidence. Time and attention, and nutrition is the cure. Even if the cure ends up not quite complete, she'll be an important part of the family

Dennis

-- Dennis (westwoodcaprine@yahoo.com), March 22, 2002.