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Wednesday, April 03, 2013

Sometimes it doesn't matter how much you try

Did you know that rabies and thiamin deficiency are scarily similar in lambs. So many of you probably didn't want to know that, and are now looking at house lambs differently. It isn't common for a lamb to get rabies, but I just thought I would throw it out there, as Bobbert bit me the other day. I was clearing out the dog food he had snaked. Molars are vicious, as you can see in the picture below. (Welcome new readers, I do indeed post bloody pictures here. And I tend to get injured a bit often)

Bobbert was an interesting case. He was dong great, then bam! Down. But then the next morning he was up and fine again. But last night was not the case. He just slowly faded. It was so hard watching it. Husband held him, petting him and talking to him. We tried everything sans a blood transfusion to keep him with us. Husband even preformed mouth to mouth when he stopped breathing.

We had to give him a B complex shot, to attempt to perk him up yesterday. It only worked for a few minutes. He wasn't processing nutrients correctly. A saltine and a bottle of sugar water had perked him up better than the B complex shot.

It's difficult to lose a little one, whose mother rejected them and you worked so hard to keep. But it does happen on occasion.

We enjoyed Bobbert while he was with us. He received lots of love in his short time. He was smug and self centered, but very personable when he wanted attention.

For those of you new to this life, remember its ok when we lose one. The homestead must roll on. Give yourself a moment to grieve, as death is a part of the simple life.







12 comments:

FancyHorse said...

I was sorry to read about this on Facebook. You have many good memories of little Bobbert, and you gave him all you could.
Thanks for sharing his story.

Kelly said...

So sorry you lost the little one. So painful. We miss them. We found a ewe lamb last evening. Smallest of triplets. She was cold and we thought she was gone. Brought her in, warmed her up and gave her some goat colostrum we had frozen. She seems better today. That and a little ProBios. Hopefully she will make it.

Sandy Livesay said...

Phelan,

I'm so sorry to hear about Bobbert.
Yes it's part of homesteading but it's never easy. We all get attached to our animals, and at times they're like family.
Sending hugs your way to you, hubby and family.

DFW said...

That does indeed make me sad too. But, you are right, life on a homestead must continue. I'll bet hubby misses him too.

Mamma Bear said...

So sorry about Bobbert. It always hurt to lose an animal you have tried so hard to keep alive. I still remember the first baby goat we lost because I did not know what to do and we were too far from a vet to save her. I am still living and learning.

carol anne said...

I'm sad to read about Bobbert. I'm so sorry for your loss.

Practical Parsimony said...

When my favorite hen died, I was inconsolable. When, a year later, I saw another ill hen that was not making it, I had someone kill her while I watched. That was a much easier death.

kath said...

So sorry to hear abut Bobbert! I was really rooting for the little guy, and you all worked so hard to save him. RIP.

Unknown said...

That. Just. Really. Sucks. I'm so sorry, Hon. I was looking forward to all the funny pictures of him riding shotgun. This too, becomes another leg in the body of flexibility that it takes for hanging on in all the efforts. But just because it's part of the process doesn't make it any easier. Maybe God'll bring ya' 2 more down the road. Two bikes with sidecars.... why not?

Anonymous said...

I'm so sorry! I am losing a ewe (my last one) right now so I know exactly where you are at. It is a hard life but so many good things in it too.

GreyWolf said...

So very sad. I know how you feel. I recently lost one of our pet goat and her three kids to pregnancy toximia. My heart goes out to your family.

Coffeekittie said...

Jeez, it is so easy for creatures to die! I plan to raise a (small) flock of sheep for wool, meat and hopefully a bit of milk, and reading things like this - and they aren't rare, it seems - worries me that none will make it.

Rabbits die easily too, and I'm getting used to that, although I still work on making their lives better so maybe losses will be minor. I guess that's all we can do, is keep trying.

You guys did an awesome job on a baby that very well might not have been formed correctly inside. And you got more experience for next time.

Hugs to you and Husband,
Parker

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