The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Livestock => Sheep => Topic started by: Remy on February 20, 2012, 07:03:19 pm

Title: Can't believe it!
Post by: Remy on February 20, 2012, 07:03:19 pm
I had gone away for the weekend to pick up some more Gotland sheep, Tiny was doing really well so I was not worried about anything.  I had originally intended to get two sheep but on the day couldn't decide between three of them and yes, you guessed it, all three came home  ::) ;D.

Then my hubby rang to say that one of my Herdwicks was dead in the field!  ???  I couldn't believe it, but asked him to take the sheep for a post mortem as I need to know what is going on.  Apparently she was absolutely fine yesterday, was eating no probs and clamouring for food as usual.  No sign whatsoever of scours, which all the other sick ones have had.  I'm hoping it's just a bizarre coincidence which is nothing to do with the others, she was a very flighty and nervous sheep and a bad influence on her sister who I think would calm a little without the other one.  I'll be very interested in the outcome!

Anyway a day of mixed emotions but my new Gotlands are absolutely gorgeous!  :love:  They are currently in a small orchard while I organise a bit of my field for them.  Tiny seems to be 100% recovered and can't get enough of food  :D so I am probably giving her more than she needs now just to see her get some weight on  :love: :sheep:
Title: Re: Can't believe it!
Post by: Rosemary on February 20, 2012, 07:11:07 pm
Sorry to hear about your Herdwick  :( - it will be interesting to see what the cause of death was.

Title: Re: Can't believe it!
Post by: kanisha on February 20, 2012, 07:19:47 pm
I am just wondering about fluke..... sorry to hear you lost another sheep :(
Title: Re: Can't believe it!
Post by: woollyval on February 20, 2012, 10:22:23 pm
I think you have a problem.... :-\ fluke springs to my mind too.....! Have you given everyone a fluke and worm drench? Also do you vacinate? If not you might have a clostridial....they don't always scour!
Title: Re: Can't believe it!
Post by: Fleecewife on February 21, 2012, 12:18:30 am
What a bummer  :(.  Remember to keep your new ewes well away from the rest of the flock until you know just what's going on.  Good Luck.
Title: Re: Can't believe it!
Post by: Remy on February 21, 2012, 08:30:05 am
All of mine were wormed on 8th with Cydectin, the Herdwick that died had been treated with Combinex before I got her.  They are all due vaccination now but the Herdwicks hadn't been vaccinated so I was going to do all the sheep together.

The new girls are not going with the others until I have had the results of the PM and have taken any necessary precautions - how long does it take to get results of a PM?
Title: Re: Can't believe it!
Post by: Calvadnack on February 21, 2012, 05:06:33 pm
What a grim time you've been having, I had a bad year a few years ago now and it makes you start to doubt everything.  The wonder you did with Tiny hopefully gives you some comfort.

Like some others, I've not had good results with Combinex, a separate wormer and flukicide seems to be more effective.  Also, the worm count results should show which type of worm and you can then use the matching wormer. 

You wouldn't be alone in having a problem this year, I've had to use more frequent flukicide doses than ever before and resorted to a broad spectrum wormer (ivermectin) to zap everything before I go back to my usual rotation/testing.
Title: Re: Can't believe it!
Post by: FiB on February 21, 2012, 07:14:46 pm
Commiserations Remy. Glad you have some positives to balance tho (tiny and new sheep). I had a PM on my dead sheep on Friday and was able to have a more or less instant result (in fact I was watching and she talked me through everything)(Pneumonia caused by pastuerella bact) although she did also send off some colon samples - got the worm counts back on Monday and still waiting for Salamonella results.  Hope you get helpful news. Fi
Title: Re: Can't believe it!
Post by: woollyval on February 21, 2012, 07:40:42 pm
A note regarding wormers and flukicides. Ivermectin based wormers such as cydectin are not effective against fluke. There is a newish wormer around which is cydectin plus a flukicide. The yellow wormers are those effective against all stages of fluke and are the levamisoles. Some of the white wormers in large dose such as Valbazen are effective against some stages of fluke. It is very important to know how much your sheep weigh...they are always heavier than we think so that doses are effective!
Sorry you are having a rough time with all this Remy!
Title: Re: Can't believe it!
Post by: moprabbit on February 21, 2012, 09:22:43 pm
So sorry to hear about your loss, but glad to hear Tiny is still doing well.Hope the twins are fine as well!!
Title: Re: Can't believe it!
Post by: Remy on February 22, 2012, 05:51:10 pm
Update on the Herdwick - I got an answerphone message from my vet which was a bit garbled but I think what he was saying was that the sheep appeared to have died from pasteurella.  I'm waiting for him to call back so I can confirm and discuss tactics with him.  Thankfully all my other sheep have had their two doses of Heptavac P and the Herdwicks were the only ones who hadn't, think I've been a bit unlucky in that the other two died from unrelated causes (ie worms!).

I've really had to sort myself out with my coloured flock - I've never had this kind of problem with my resident flock which I've had for six years, and didn't do half the husbandry with them either!  But all this has taught me not to be complacent and that you have to be especially careful when buying in from various sources.

Tiny however has turned into a greedy baaing monster that can't get enough!!  ::)  :D :D and my new Gotlands are  :love: :love: :love:

Human twins are now home and their new mum is rather shellshocked!  ;D
Title: Re: Can't believe it!
Post by: mmu on February 22, 2012, 06:19:55 pm
We've had a pretty torrid time lately too, makes you wonder what you're doing, but also tests your resolve and commitment.  You've done so well with Tiny, just hang on in!
Title: Re: Can't believe it!
Post by: Pedwardine on February 22, 2012, 11:04:55 pm
Hi Remy,
so sorry to hear about your Herdwick. You obviously do your best by your sheep judging by the vigil you've kept over Tiny. Keep us posted on your new girls.