Selenium Deficiency in Goats

[Fennel]

I have had a young (one yr.) Nigerian Dwarf doe for a couple months now. Very friendly and healthy, and we love her. Starting this past weekend, she became very weak in her hindquarters. No obvious problems. She's still eating well, peeing and pooping when I stand her up. She's had all of her vaccinations, including botulism, and worming. The only thing we can come up with is a selenium deficiency. My vet confirmed yesterday that our area is very low on it. I'm in Kentucky.

I've started her on a mineral supplement, and ordered a selenium/Vitamin E gel online. I carry her around (good thing she's little), and when I set her down on her feet, she'll stand for a minute, and then go back down.

My other goat, a pygmy, is fine. Anyone else dealt with this? Ideas?

thanks

 

[donrae]

What did the vet advise? I thought there was a selenium injection available?

 

[Chickerdoodle13]

Another differential for hind limb weakness is p. tenuis. That usually starts as hindlimb paralysis and ascends from there. Definitely worth keeping in mind if the selenium doesn't help.

 

[Chickerdoodle13]

What did the vet advise? I thought there was a selenium injection available?

I think the injection is called Bose. People use that in areas deficient in selenium (you can find out by testing the soil)

 

[cassie]

I have had a young (one yr.) Nigerian Dwarf doe for a couple months now. Very friendly and healthy, and we love her. Starting this past weekend, she became very weak in her hindquarters. No obvious problems. She's still eating well, peeing and pooping when I stand her up. She's had all of her vaccinations, including botulism, and worming. The only thing we can come up with is a selenium deficiency. My vet confirmed yesterday that our area is very low on it. I'm in Kentucky.

I've started her on a mineral supplement, and ordered a selenium/Vitamin E gel online. I carry her around (good thing she's little), and when I set her down on her feet, she'll stand for a minute, and then go back down.

My other goat, a pygmy, is fine. Anyone else dealt with this? Ideas?

thanks

You would be better off to give her an injection of BoSe. It is a lot faster and more effective than the things you mentioned. Among other things, selenium deficiency can cause muscle weakness and heart failure. We used to routinely inject our newborn kids, calves, and lambs with BoSe. You may have to get it from the vet. I forget what the dosage is but that shouldn't be hard to find out.

 

[Fennel]

Update:
Priscilla is about back to normal. It was amazing how fast the selenium/vitamin E paste worked. Thanks!