Floppy kid syndrome is a common ailment in goats.
Floppy Kid Syndrome is a condition that causes goat kids to have an abnormal gait and difficulty standing. It can be caused by congenital defects, trauma, or infections.
The most common symptom of Floppy Kid Syndrome is the inability of the animal to stand up on its own.
There are many treatment options for this condition including antibiotics, surgery, physical therapy, and rehabilitation exercises. Knowing what you’re dealing with will help a lot when it comes time to take care of your pet.
What causes Floppy kid syndrome in Goats
Floppy kid syndrome is a condition that affects newborn goats. It can be caused by an infection, but it may also occur spontaneously.
The symptoms are paralysis of the hindquarters and difficulty walking or standing upright. If your goat has floppy kid syndrome, contact your veterinarian for treatment options.
Your goat may need to be euthanized, but there are treatments available that might save its life.
Symptoms of Floppy Kid Syndrome in Goats?
Some of the more obvious symptoms of floppy kid syndrome: depression, lack of appetite, fever, slowing down, weight loss, and eventual death. If you think your goat has any of these symptoms contact a vet immediately for diagnosis and treatment options.
It is thought there are several causes of Floppy kid syndrome in goats.
Hypothermia, dehydration, hypoglycemia, sepsis, acidosis, and diarrhea with acidosis and electrolyte changes are the most common causes according to the Louisiana State University Agricultural Center.
The disorder is more likely to affect kids that are too young for vaccinations, but not usually older goats.
The most common cause is hypocalcemia which occurs when there is not enough calcium in the bloodstream. Hypocalcemia can be caused by insufficient intake or excessive losses of calcium from vomiting, diarrhea, or other causes.
The signs of hypocalcemia are lethargy, weakness, anorexia (lack of appetite), muscle spasms, and seizures as well as floppy limbs if severe enough.
Diagnosis includes running a blood test on your goat that checks for hormone levels such as Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide (CGRP) and Parathyroid Hormone (PTH).
Your vet will also check to make sure your goat does not have ketosis (a disorder in which the body doesn’t use sugar properly), septic arthritis, or laminitis.
If you have a goat who was born with floppy kid syndrome, it’s wise to keep them away from other goats until they’ve been treated and seem completely healthy – just to avoid passing any viruses or bacteria onto other goats who might become ill from something the first goat had during treatment for floppy kid syndrome.
Treatment for Floppy kid syndrome in Goats
Floppy kid syndrome in goats is a condition that affects the kids and can lead to permanent disability.
The syndrome occurs when the goat does not receive enough nutrients from its mother’s milk during infancy. Without proper care and treatment, these goats may never be able to walk upright or even stand on their own.
Fortunately, there are ways for owners of floppy-kid goats to provide them with necessary nutrients so they can live a normal life!
- A veterinarian may prescribe medication to relax the muscles around the animal’s spinal cord so it can stand up straight.
- In severe cases, surgery may be needed to correct bone deformities and remove any excess tissue from around the spinal cord so it has enough room for normal growth.
- Some veterinarians recommend feeding colostrum (the first milk produced by the mother) to the baby in order to provide it with extra nutrients
- If you have a floppy kid goat, avoid letting them become cold and wet since this can lead to hypothermia and pneumonia. A sick kid should be kept warm and dry at all times
- The disease is more common in kids who are too young to receive vaccinations, but it can happen to any goat of any age or breed if they don’t have enough nutrients
What else can cause goats to get weak?
Some of the main causes of goats getting weak include poor nutrition, the existence of parasites, paratuberculosis, dental problems, pneumonia, and diseases such as polio, tetanus, and mycoplasmosis.
The symptoms of these conditions include diarrhea, weight loss, fever, nasal discharge, and coughing.
If you think your goat is sick or has any of the symptoms mentioned above contact a veterinarian immediately. Make sure to provide the vet with all the symptoms and the corresponding dates.
