New Baby reindeer to my herd

Law of averages Karen, when you have help you don't need it ,and if you did not have help you would need lots of it! lol
I am glad it all went well and now you can move on to the next project!

 

Karen - I'm so sorry to have pressured you into keeping Fergie. I was only half kidding. This is exactly why I'm only a pet owner and not a caretaker of a herd....of anything. My heart rules over my head where animals are concerned. Of course, you are making the prudent and smart choices.
You are 100% correct that you have too many of the same female genes in your herd. It is definitely the best option to sell Fergie...and I'm sure you have found her the best of homes. Please forgive me.....I never meant to make you question your wise choices concerning your beautiful herd.
I am so grateful that you share them with us.

p.s. I still miss Hector.

 

Brookeham, I am with you, if I could, I would save and rescue the animals of the world! BUT I know better, so I do what I can,
when I can, and pray for the rest! I too miss that cute monster known as Hector, he has a place in my heart too!

 

No worries at all Brooke. So sorry if my reply seemed harsh or if I sounded uncaring... I'm not honestly and would love to keep each and everyone . This year especially Fergie - she's so easy. No problem today removing her baby head collar and changing to next size without restraining her at all - a joy of a baby girl - she will be a natural for exhibits which girls are usually not - several large herds never consider girls for exhibition and only use castrates.
This morning I was faced with an abscess under Gandalf's ear. Can't blame this one on flies as it's a deep infection, so guessing he's starting to rattle antlers in my hedgerows which contain hawthorn and blackthorn. It hasn't burst yet so I injected him with Betomox this morning and this afternoon changed head collar to a larger one which wasn't rubbing his enlarged bump. Vet booked as I need to get this sorted pretty quickly - before he becomes an angry rutting bull!
Picture doesn't really show his lump.

 

I hope the vet manages to get this sorted for him (and you) before Gandalf thinks the vet would be a good kebab candidate!

 

Was meant to hear today when vet coming but nothing... Vet kebabs

 

Perhaps the mention of kebabs might encourage the vet to come quickly! Hope there is good news soon on the situation.

 

Well vet finally came today. I'm not sure his visit was really useful to the animals but it put my mind at rest, which is the main thing as with so many minor issues I was feeling overwhelmed.
Lotte's ongoing lameness (it's been going on for weeks) only mild but it hasn't improved. All I could find was a slight thickening between front two digits but vet said that wouldn't be enough to cause lameness. He couldn't find any cause either, so said to just go with it and give her a painkiller/anti-inflammatory if I thought that would help but in her case would prefer not to give pain killer as if it is a strain then she may hoon around more and cause more damage.
Gandalf's abscess burst while he was examining Lotte, so all he did was squeeze out pus and flush with water and suggest I give him another dose of Betomox tomorrow and make sure no flies lay eggs in cavity.
Fly infections on antlers - he said there is nothing more I can do - flies are beyond this year and just wait until they strip velvet then that will sort issue... there are no safe fly repellents for reindeer that actually work beyond 10 minutes - the serious pour on varieties won't penetrate reindeer coats for most of the year and if they do then they burn reindeer skin, cause hair loss and blisters... Oh reindeer are fun!
Anyway, happier today after vet administered syringe jets of water only!!! But knowing I haven't missed anything will help me sleep better tonight.

 

I am glad your vet finally made it out to your farm, as usual he did nothing as most issues had sorted themselves
before he had a chance to check them out! But at least you feel better about things, and being the worry wart that you are
that is a good thing!

 

Sand, unfortunately none are sorted yet (barring abscess burst BUT that is the start of potential problems with fly strike )but it seems drugs/treatment I have been using in interim are what he would have done. I am giggling to myself that all he used on whole herd was squirts of H2O and from my tap (faucet)!! Hey ho, I just hope his account isn't silly. But it will be worth it as I was doubting myself.
Will take photo of Gandalf's burst abscess/hole in face tomorrow. May need to host with the wonderful Lilac Lady...

 

yes, when I said sorted I meant all that could be done to date and really with out his help! Yes Karen you do tend to second guess yourself BUT it is because you really love and care about your herd so you want to fix it all straight away! Nothing wrong with that, except you will drive yourself mad! I am sure Lilaclady will be happy to help you any way she can!

 

I sincerely hope the Vet doesn't charge you much($$$)....since basically all he did was hose them with water! LOL All his years in vet school, and he could just have been a gardener.
I agree, sanddollar, it's the peace of mind that no other medical worries are occuring at the moment.
There is a pill, in the U.S., that will keep fleas and tics off dogs for 3-6 months. I'm wondering if there is something for livestock that would repel flies?

 

I am glad that the vet visited you even if all he did was use your water. You should charge him for using it! I just hope that his call out fee is not too expensive. You know that I am always happy to help if you want to host something with me.

 

Thanks Lilac... you have a FB message with this photo attached (just so that I can share here!

Gandalf today, with abscess burst. Hole was about 1/3" and "pocket" quite deep, hole closing up but that can create problems if that closes before inside tissue heals (another abscess).. Hair has been removed around so that it doesn't ingress on healing of hole. Close watch for fly eggs and treating with terramyacin spray.
Thanks Lilac lady for hosting.
New head collar as previous is COVERED in pus!!!

 

Poor chap has a hole in his head. Hope that heals quickly, from the inside out.

 

So sorry for Gandolf's hole. But at least he's stylin a cute new blue head collar.......and the spray even matches. LOL

 

Give him a big hug, I hope it heals quickly. Love his new head collar.

 

Somebody asked a while ago, if Belle's second antler (previously a unicorn) would ever catch up with her first antler.
I don't think I answered as I wasn't sure and had never come across problem before.
So an update on her. Her second antler isn't as big BUT it has interesting bifurcations and I think maybe next year she may be better balanced but to be honest I do not know... She has been plagued (as many have) with fly infections in her antler this year... Never had a year like it for fly issues but talking to vet, fly issues are widespread in all livestock this year.

 

Belle has such a pretty face. You must be having some rain now, if the nice green grass is any indication. Or did you take to using the sprinkler?
I wonder what they would make of a sprinkler. Would they run through it like my granddaughter?
Or run from it...

 

joan, they did seem to like standing around in the "Pool"! I bet they might like it for a bit! Better than standing out in the rain!