Carpal hyperextension in Nigerian Dwarf goats is a heritable syndrome associated with lameness and forelimb deformity.

Carpal hyperextension in Nigerian Dwarf goats is heritable; screen breeding stock using carpal goniometry.

This observational study characterized a carpal hyperextension syndrome in Nigerian Dwarf goats, recruiting 36 affected cases and 64 unaffected controls between 2022-2023. Cases presented with carpal angles exceeding 187° (median 193.3°) compared to controls at 180.3°, with lameness commonly observed. Clinical examination included physical assessment, carpal goniometry, and blood mineral analysis. Imaging and histopathology in a case subset revealed no structural abnormalities, and serum mineral concentrations were comparable between groups. Pedigree analysis demonstrated all cases shared a common ancestor, suggesting hereditary transmission. Genome-wide association study using Illumina GoatSNP50 array identified a significant chromosomal region (chr24:59,830,666-60,251,280) associated with the hyperextension phenotype. The findings indicate carpal hyperextension represents a heritable condition in this breed, with owners typically recognizing clinical signs around 12 months of age. Carpal goniometry of standing animals proved effective as an inexpensive, minimally invasive diagnostic tool for identifying affected individuals.

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