New Baby reindeer to my herd

There are times when life is really pooh - for me it is now.
I have had two or three years without a major health issue in my adults but again today I have had a case of bloat - this time Ana (Jeeves' mother). Never had bloat before.....

The grass isn't lush, they are not being fed on anything different (that I am giving them, is someone else feeding bread or such like???), I am at my wits end and obviously Jeeves now becomes a major concern.

For now I am uncertain how best to rear Jeeves... He has been grazing and eating pellets for weeks now but with the occasional top up of milk from Ana. I know Katya feeds any calf that wants a little extra. So for tonight I am leaving him with the herd as he doesn't seem perturbed at all and removing and trying to bottle feed would be VERY stressful for him.. I will try to offer bottles of lamb milk several times a day but at this age I don't think he'll take it...
Looks as if Jeeves will be staying here as if I get him through this trauma, he will be a very special baby...
Sorry folks - hopefully better news soon.

 

Karen I am sorry to hear that bloat has struck again!! I really hope you find the cause of this and that no one is feeding them things that can make them sick! Might there be something else that causes bloat that you have not heard of? I am praying all get through this ordeal!

 

So sorry for you Karen. Give Jeeves and all your reindeer a hug for us.

 

I'm so sorry Karen. My heart aches for you as you face this mystery and loss. Sending hugs your way.

 

Karen - I don't know the correct thing to say...except I'm so sorry for the loss of Ana now as well. Maybe Jeeves was meant to stay with you forever. You cherish your herd members like family so this will take a while to come to terms with. Will any of your other mother's adopt Jeeves?
I'm praying for you and little Jeeves.
I have written this with big tears in my eyes. Eventhough I haven't ever touched any of your wonderful reindeer.....with your daily pic's and videos and fun details, I feel like I know them. I wanted to seriously thank you for sharing these amazing animals with us!

 

Oh Karen, I am so sorry. Prayers going up for you and all the lovely reindeer. May you have extra wisdom and peace at this most difficult time. As Brooke said, your photos and stories have made your sweethearts special to us all - and your grief is shared.

 

Bless your heart, Karen. I am very sorry for your loss of beautiful Ana.

 

Oh Karen...I am so so so sorry!!!I'm truly at a loss for words...you are so careful with your precious herd! Perhaps there is something else the Vet could think of to check for a possible cause?? You've probably already asked, but just had to offer the suggestion, with hope for a solution..... Many hugs, Karenwe share your losses as well as your joys in your wonderful, beautiful herd.

 

My heart breaks for you Karen.

 

Thinking of you at such a heart breaking and worrisome time

 

Update...
Thank you for your personal messages but easier to post to all at once my "possible" solution (as copy and paste doesn't work) - early days yet and damage may already have been done to some stomach linings.
I have reached out to the reindeer community worldwide and while many of the suggested possible causes were not applicable, one I think is (I think, hope).
Someone I know at Reindeer Research Project Alaska spent some time mulling over my problems..
He thinks it may be due to them not grazing/browsing as much normal so their regular pellets could be causing the acidosis. Both times I have lost my girls (and someone else in the area lost one on the same day as Freya) weather has been hot. That in itself is not the problem as Alaskan hot days can be hotter than ours but they often keep their in "dry lots" or if on pasture very little shade other than field shelter. Here my reindeer have access to trees/hedges etc for shade & to escape the flies - their "dry matter" feed I have always put in their field shelter but they spend little time in there and little time grazing when the flies are out.
I am now watching were their preferred shelter is at different times of day and making sure there is straw & hay in every spot.
Jeeves has been taken in by the nursery group, doesn't want a bottle from me - at the age he is he was getting very little milk from Ana and I'm pretty sure Katya is providing some. He isn't overly stressed - he does honk occasionally but isn't running round honking, so fingers crossed he will adapt.
I'll try to take some happy photo's soon to cheer us all up.
K
(PS unfortunately emergency vet was little help as to cause)

 

Karen, I am very sorry for your loss

Oh we would love those pictures

 

I am thinking about you and thanks for keeping us updated. Take care of yourself and little Jeeves and hugs to the rest of your herd, may they all be OK.

 

Thank you for the update and your time in letting us all know what is going on! As Lilaclady said " Please take care of yourself" and hoping Jeeves will adjust and the rest of the herd will be ok! I am glad the Alaskan finding might be of some help! Stay strong!

 

Quality of photos today isn't great as although I've been with them most of the day, looking for great poses etc wasn't at the front of my mind.
Reindeer hide illnesses extremely well and only show they are suffering about the time they give up, so I have been watching every step, every pooh, every mouthful of fodder, every patch of shade they choose etc etc.
I thought you may like a photo of Jeeves, he still won't take the bottle voluntarily but I am "force" feeding a little from time to time (he's spitting as if medicine). Not overly worried just yet as all babies eating pellets, graze and browse and I only saw Belle and Storm drink from their mother's once today & he spends his day within the nursery group, only honking occasionally and not stressed while he does.. he may not grow quite as quickly as the others but I think he will make it... Fingers crossed.

Twig, in the background seems so have a a very full belly but she seems happy & I have prodded and it isn't tight and her pooh is great... BUT!!???
Belle is looking a little odd with her moulting pattern.

And Storm is sprouting his baby antlers, they won't be pink but looks like pale grey..

 

Thank you Karen. Love seeing all those BIG baby antler bumps.

 

Thanks for the photos and keeping my fingers crossed that all is well with everyone.

 

Very beautiful pictures

 

Well we have got through another day...
Today's tasks, the final two "the tricky" adults have now been wormed (Elsa and Twiglet), vitamined, hoof trim and head collar relocation for Elsa... These two I need assistance with as it's a rodeo and "Rutland" paddock topped... It didn't really need it as grass growth is almost non existent with the warm dry weather but with recent issues, the more dry matter (the toppings) about the better for their digestive system.
My excitement for today is that I got a customs bill (import Duty bill), so my USA head collars are now in the Country.. So Tigga & Jeeves will shortly have a new head collar and Storm his first.
Jeeves is doing well considering. I seem to get more milk replacement soaked into my clothes than he swallows but then he shouldn't need much now and it is bound to be a problem at his age... He still thinks I'm trying to poison him & catching a baby that could run up to 50 MPH has it's own challenges (I pounce when he's asleep!). He seems to have bonded with Twig & Tigga and Katya is always a milk "top up".
Thought you may not have seen a recent picture of Lexi.

 

Beautiful picture of Lexi. I can just imagine you sprinting after Jeeves! Glad that he seems to be doing well and that his "grandmother Katya" is providing him with a milk top up if needed.