Junior is outside with his mother today. You can see his rear left leg is being held up off the ground. He manages on three limbs, though he stumbles and falls, but can get up again on his own. The little ram lamb born three days ago is stronger. He is able to follow his mother outside and find his way back to the barn. Going up the single short step is a challenge, because he is not using one of his hind legs. He holds it off the ground and does not put weight on it. Upon examination, I find nothing unusual. The bones are still soft at this stage and he could have a break in a hip or leg bone from being stepped on. The llamas are extremely gentle and careful around him, but his mother, in her zealousness to get away from me will run right over him. Darn I do not like wild sheep.
But what is the correct avenue to follow regarding the sheep. He is male and the only Dorset to be born on the farm. His mother is healthy, but the unrelated ram lamb that came with her has coccidiosis, an amoeba like parasite that can cause diarrhea and weight loss if severe enough. His is not severe. I sent a stool sample to the vet where they do a look under the microscope to identify known parasites. There is a medication for the ram waiting at the vet's but the lamb is not suffering in any way. In the meantime, I am exploring herbal remedies for the problem. The little ram lamb could also have coccidiosis, because he has runny poop, but the first baby milk poop is like that. In a few days I will see if he becomes more normal.
In the meantime, the little lamb is not robust and spry, but gaining. He has a bad leg or hip though. Do I give him the chance knowing that he requires extra attention and care already or do I give him away to some one who will bottle feed him, fatten him up and eat him? Or do I give him the extra care and do so myself? Hmmm, to ponder this question and find an answer....
But what is the correct avenue to follow regarding the sheep. He is male and the only Dorset to be born on the farm. His mother is healthy, but the unrelated ram lamb that came with her has coccidiosis, an amoeba like parasite that can cause diarrhea and weight loss if severe enough. His is not severe. I sent a stool sample to the vet where they do a look under the microscope to identify known parasites. There is a medication for the ram waiting at the vet's but the lamb is not suffering in any way. In the meantime, I am exploring herbal remedies for the problem. The little ram lamb could also have coccidiosis, because he has runny poop, but the first baby milk poop is like that. In a few days I will see if he becomes more normal.
In the meantime, the little lamb is not robust and spry, but gaining. He has a bad leg or hip though. Do I give him the chance knowing that he requires extra attention and care already or do I give him away to some one who will bottle feed him, fatten him up and eat him? Or do I give him the extra care and do so myself? Hmmm, to ponder this question and find an answer....
Lucy is saying good morning to the little newborn. The llamas are gentle and careful around him.
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