Monday, May 21, 2007
Animal Escapades
|
It was a strange day yesterday I spent the whole day watching a horse with Hannah. Slugger (our oldest horse) was acting funny and we weren't sure what the problem was. I thought maybe colic, but he didn't present in the typical way.
He was passing gas, pooping, had bowel sounds, wasn't rolling, biting his stomach or kicking his stomach.
Then he started standing funny, so we thought laminitis. But it wasn't the typical founder stance and he's not lame or walking like he's on eggshells. But, he's been laying down a lot and occasionally standing stretched out.
I got a hold of a vet who thought it was laminitis and he said to give bute. We did. We also ran cold water on his feet. Moved all the horses back to the upper pasture In case the grass caused it.
Then we talked to a good friend who is a vet, but retired from large animal and he said spasmodic colic and to give banamine.
Well, then Slugger seemed to be feeling better, so we held off on the banamine.
We are now well-learned on the symptoms of founder and spasmodic colic and also something called peductulated lypoma. Our friend vet doesn't think he has that since he's pooping, but it's common in older horses and is a fatty tumor that wraps around the intestines. So, if he keeps having episodes of this spasmodic colic, we need to keep this diagnosis in mind.
So, then we've got everyone settled and a neighbor calls Pat to come and help him with a tree that fell in his father's yard. So, he leaves and Hannah all of a sudden becomes a wreck. The whole day of worrying got to her and she let loose. Poor thing. She's better now, though. It's just something we have to learn to deal with, having animals.
Then, my friend who ordered chicks for me and 2 others and herself called to let us know they came in today. So, we got a chick home ready with heat lamp, water, shavings etc.
We drive out there at 7pm, but when we got there she was so upset and apologizing because her dog ate 20 of the chicks. There were 45.
I felt so bad for her. My dh said to her, "where's your dog so I can shake his paw?" And he told her about our hen that decided to sit on 11 eggs after we ordered chicks. Then he said, if we get any roosters, can we bring them here and feed them to your dog?
Well, that made her laugh and she said he was making her feel a little better (which is what he intended) She has sheep and knows these things happen, but felt responsible for other people's animals.
So, we didn't bring any chicks home. And we're going to give her some of the chicks if they all hatch.
This morning Slugger seems fine, but we'll continue to watch closely. |
Comments