Earlier in the week I noticed that Esther’s poops had gone runny. That, coupled with recent weight loss, a mysteriously enlarged udder, and general uncomfortableness caused me to have the vet come out on Tues.
I gave him a stool sample, and he prescribed Meloxicam for her arthritis, Priobios to hopefully get her digestion back on track, and gave her a shot of Exceed because she had a bit of an elevated temperature.
Fecal results showed that she didn’t have coccidiosis, or a heavy parasite load.
Things were looking up Wed and Thurs, though her diarrhea hadn’t abated, so I was trying to keep her rear cleaned up. In retrospect, what I should have done was clip off all fleece anywhere near her hind end to keep it as dry as possible.
I discovered last evening that she had developed fly strike. I feel awful. I spent about two hours last night clipping and treating the area, removing fly larvae (maggots), cleaning her inflamed skin, and treating with Ivermectin. This morning as soon as the farm store opened I went out and got a pyrethin fly repellant.
Today she is up and about. Eating and drinking, so that’s good, as far as it goes. I really hope that she’s got the strength to come back from this. I’m going to be watching her carefully to try and ensure that it doesn’t recur and that she heals up.
No pictures this week. Noone wants to see a flystricken sheep butt.
Still trying to get the diarrhea resolved. Really not sure what is going on there. First time I’ve dealt with that with any of my gang. Perhaps it would have been sorted by now but for the stress of the flystrike?
Anyway, it’s been a tough week for my sweet girl, and I’m kind of wrung out.
Keep a good thought for Esther.
So sorry Esther! Sending healing thoughts.
thanks Donna. Esther appreciates the well-wishes. Still haven’t resolved the loose stools, but she is eating well, and seems to be in good spirits.