New Baby reindeer to my herd

Arielh have you ever had a pet dog or cat? Worms are something young (& older) animals get, they are a parasite & you don't want them! Tapeworms are a really bad type of worm (even humans can get them).

 

Frodo has now stripped all his velvet, he's rather late as entire males are usually weeks before the girls (it took him a few days but now done). Elsa sorted a few days ago, Mischa started first but hasn't really made any more progress, Lotte is almost done but Katya got all sorted overnight.

Mischa seems to be loosing weight (visually), this has never happened before. She has a big calf who may be draining her but she is on my worry watch list. Just extra twitchy in case I have introduced something undiagnosed with Frodo. She isn't skinny but not as well covered as she usually is.

 

Now I understand. I knew worms were bad but I don't understand this part

Why Tigga need a Tape worm wormer? And what would the horse do about it?

I never had a dog or a cat only a rabbit for a week and some fish for around a week too.

 

Wormers are a medication to kill off the worms. The first wormer used was a type normally used to treat tapeworms in sheep but the worm(s) in Tigga were not killed by it. The second wormer was a type (different chemical makeup) normally used to treat tapeworms in horses. As far as I know, no one has studied wormers in reindeer so none are labeled for use in them.

 

Now it makes sense. Thank you Noelle and Dafodily for your clarifications.
I thought a wormer was the same thing as a worm so I was completely confused

 

Wow!!! Frodo looks great in that pic!!! Karen you are obviously working your reindeer magic on him! Kudos!!! Is he showing any personality...now that's he's feeling a bit better? How does he react to you?

Now your worry is for Mischa, poor you and her. A reindeer herder's work is never, never done. I hope you find out what's going on with her soon...and it's easily fixed.

 

I hope that everything is okay with Mischa. You really have had one hell of a year!

 

Thank you so much Noelle for replying so well to Ariel. I often churn out stuff and forget English isn't the first language for all and can't always look in to correct misconception... Keep it up Noelle... shame you don't live locally or I'd employ you at busy times.

Sorry no photos this weekend as it's all hands on deck moving my elderly aunt and uncle close so that we can keep an eye on them. Most stuff moved today (they where only 2 hours away), new house - beds now made, something to sit on, kettle, mugs and breakfast cereal and toast on hand but they are surrounded by boxes as I needed to come home to feed reindeer and dogs... back tomorrow. So probably no photos for a few days.
Brookenham, Frodo does look better but photos taken from his "better" angle. As to attitude, he charges to gate when I appear and a voracious appetite at the moment. He is VERY lively but not sure whether the charging is him being hungry or hormonal and dangerous... The "rut" is tricky... I skip in and out of his paddock with feed very quickly now... But he is VERY lively.
The two young girls I have put in with him for company are bossing him around but he is starting to make his presence known with me! His hormones are giving him "fight to protect his girls!"
PS as to Mischa, not overly worried as yet as she carries a lot of weight but she has lost some..

 

Glad to be of help.

 

Still a bit manic here but I made sure I took a photo of Frodo (from his worst angle) for my photo records. There's no point me taking photos from the angle he looks his best (sideways). Over back/spine/pelvic bones and ribs are when he looks his worst and so I share with you. I do think he is going in the right direction. He is far from being out of the woods but he is putting on a little weight... I know slowly but to me he is looking slightly better, even maybe his coat too???..

For all those looking in for the first time and thinking he looks dreadful... I agree BUT I have just put photos together of his improvement over the last 3 weeks 2 days since I purchased him.... HAPPY DANCE here... A long way to go BUT!!!

 

He definitely looks a lot better than when you first had him, and I agree that his coat looks as though it has improved as well. Keep working your magic on him!

 

Yes, I can see an improvement too! That has to be encouraging and his coat is looking better too!
Hoping he keeps responding to your love and good care!

 

Seems like a very big improvement! Frodo looks healthy now But he needs more pounds because during winter he will lose weight, right?

 

On my "High Horse" today... as I have found the second burst helium balloon of this year in my paddocks today, promoting a Charity or business and a label asking for where it has been found..
The reply to their contact address wasn't what they wished as I pointed out to them if my reindeer had eaten the burst parts it may have killed them. Please educate others that helium balloon or Chinese lanterns are littering our countryside and may kill
our precious livestock!
Please share this message and do not take part in balloon releases..

 

Seriously Karen, everyone knows "What goes up MUST come down!" since no one seems to be taken that into account when they release these things, I hope you gave them an ear full! I hope they respond to you and at least acknowledge the fact that they had not thought about it maybe landing in someones cow, sheep,horse or reindeer pasture!

 

Oh boy, feeling so proud of my babies... anyone remember Thor and Loki? Mischa & Katya's babies from last year (and a year younger than Frodo)...
Here's an update. As I am sure you couldn't possibly recognise now - Loki's antler's turn in at top and Thor's turn out..
Thank you Ythanbank for looking after them so well and Freddy & Storm will be joining them in the next few weeks... mixed emotions on that one BUT I know they will be looked after beyond!




My little baby boys are all grown up...

 

Oh my what beautiful reindeer Thor and Loki have turned out to be! I will say this again Karen, it all starts with you and how your treat and feed your herd! Because of you, you are breeding beautiful healthy reindeer! And just look at those antlers?! And I must also give credit to Thor and Loki's new home because it is quite obvious that they also love and care for their herd! Thank you for sharing these great photos!

 

Karen, because of the 2 yr (at least) ban on imports & the need to keep as much genetic diversity as possible might you keep one of Hector's male offspring intact? While you would not breed Freddy or Storm with your girls, might a trade with another reindeer herder help you both?
I understand your promise to Ythanbank, but circumstances have changed. Ythanbank understandably can only handle neutered males, but they should see the long term benefits of your using one of Hector's magnificent son's to keep a healthy supply of reindeer into the future. With Gandolf still in limbo, Frodo's health & ability to make it thru the winter uncertain using Freddy or Storm as trade for another intact male (maybe the same age) would allow you options that don't require another mortgage.
You have a truly wonderful herd & have done a magnificent job in spite of this very trying year.

 

Dafodily, I did approach Elaine (Ythanbank) and mentioned that if she wasn't totally committed to Freddy that I would like to keep him (as he could cover a couple of my girls next year). She said that she had totally fallen in love with both of them, so I just couldn't go back on my word. She also said that she would keep Freddy entire for an extra year just in case I cannot find a healthy boy for next year, I could borrow him back for the rut.
I know exactly what you are saying & it makes absolute sense but they are such lovely people, look after my babies so well, that I just couldn't upset them.
I'll find a way through next year somehow!!!

 

Well, that sounds like a good plan. At least she is willing to work that out with you. As we know she does not like entire boys. You will be able to use him next year and that is great news!