Although goats are still a very niche pet, the number of people keeping a goat is steadily increasing and more and more people are starting to add a goat to their family.
Although goats are very hardy animals when compared to some of the other niche pets that we see people keeping, every now and then, we do see people having problems with their pet goats.
This is reflected in the number of people that we see reaching out and asking various questions about their goats each month.
One question that we have seen people asking more recently is about dealing with goat stiff back legs as this is becoming an increasing problem.
There are a number of problems that can cause stiff back legs in a goat and getting a vet to check your goat over will always be the best option as a quick inspection should be able to give you a good idea of what’s wrong and the vet will be able to help you work out what you should be doing to treat the issue.
Still, our advice below should be able to give you some general ideas of the potential problem and what you can do about it.
Is It Normal For A Goats Back Legs To Go Stiff?
The first thing that you should understand is that, in most cases, it is actually quite normal for a goat’s back legs to go stiff.
This is particularly true if your goat has been standing in the same position for a long time or if they have been lying down for a while.
In both of these cases, it is quite normal for the goat to experience some stiffness in their back legs when they first start to move again but this should only be temporary.
As long as your goat is otherwise healthy and is not experiencing any other problems, then this type of stiffness is nothing to worry about and will usually go away after a few minutes of walking around.
However, if your goat is stiff in their back legs and is also experiencing other problems such as lethargy, pain or difficulty walking, then this could be a sign of a more serious problem and you should take your goat to see the vet as soon as possible.
What Causes Goat Stiff Back Legs?
There are a number of different things that can cause goat stiff back legs but the most common cause is simply old age.
As goats get older, their joints and muscles will start to stiffen up and this can make it difficult for them to move around like they used to.
This is particularly true if the goat has been inactive for a long period of time as this will cause their joints and muscles to seize up even more.
There are a number of things that you can do to help your goat with stiff back legs caused by old age such as the following…
Give Them Regular Exercise
This will help to keep their joints and muscles moving and will also increase circulation which will help to reduce stiffness.
Massage Their Legs
This will also help to increase circulation and can help to reduce stiffness in the legs.
Give Them A Warm Bath
This can help to loosen up their muscles and joints and will also help to increase circulation.
Give Them Joint Supplements
There are a number of different joint supplements available that can help to reduce stiffness in the legs and make it easier for the goat to move around.
If your goat is stiff in their back legs and is also experiencing other problems such as lethargy, pain or difficulty walking, then this could be a sign of a more serious problem and you should take your goat to see the vet as soon as possible.
White Muscle Disease
One of the more serious problems that can cause goat stiff back legs is White Muscle Disease.
This is a disease that affects the muscles and usually occurs in young goats that are between two and six months old.
The symptoms of this disease include stiffness in the legs, difficulty walking, lethargy and a loss of appetite.
If your goat is showing any of these symptoms, then you should take them to see the vet as soon as possible as this is a serious disease that can be fatal if it is not treated quickly.
Anemia
Another potential cause of goat stiff back legs is anemia.
This is a condition where there is not enough oxygen being carried around in the blood and can cause a number of different symptoms such as lethargy, weakness, pale gums and difficulty breathing.
If your goat is showing any of these symptoms, then you should take them to see the vet as soon as possible as this is a serious condition that can be fatal if it is not treated quickly.
listeria
Listeria is a type of bacteria that can cause a number of different problems in goats such as stiff back legs, difficulty walking, lethargy and a loss of appetite.
If your goat is showing any of these symptoms, then you should take them to see the vet as soon as possible as this is a serious condition that can be fatal if it is not treated quickly.
Tetanus
Tetanus is a serious disease that can be fatal if it is not treated quickly.
The symptoms of this disease include stiffness in the legs, difficulty walking, convulsions and paralysis.
If your goat is showing any of these symptoms, then you should take them to see the vet as soon as possible as this is a serious disease that can be fatal if it is not treated quickly.
What Can You Do To Prevent Goat Stiff Back Legs?
There are a number of things that you can do to help prevent goat stiff back legs such as the following…
- Make sure that they have a balanced diet that is rich in vitamins and minerals.
- Make sure that they have plenty of exercises.
- Make sure that they have access to clean, fresh water.
- Keep their living area clean and free from clutter.
If you are concerned that your goat may be developing stiff back legs, then you should take them to see the vet as soon as possible.
How Long Does It Take For A Goats Stiff Legs To Get Better?
The amount of time it takes for a goat’s stiff legs to get better will depend on the underlying cause of the problem.
If the cause is something that can be easily treated, such as a vitamin deficiency, then the goat’s stiff legs should start to improve within a few days.
However, if the cause is something more serious, such as an infection, then it may take longer for the goat’s stiff legs to improve.
In some cases, the goat may need to be hospitalized at your local veterinarian’s office in order to receive proper treatment.
Should I Be Worried If My Goats Legs Go Stiff?
If your goat’s legs go stiff, then you should take them to see the vet as soon as possible as this could be a sign of a more serious problem.
Early diagnosis and treatment is important for goats with stiff legs, as many of the underlying causes can be serious or even fatal if they are not treated quickly.
