[Blinkers]

...Oh I'm soooo upset.  Our wonderful wonderful white ryeland Ram "Hywel" has been diagnosed with a Gid Cyst on the brain.    He's now blind in one eye and his head tips to one side, but other than that he is absolutely find in himself and still enjoying himself out with his wives.     However, vet says no cure and to keep an eye on him.    He's SUCH a perfect gentleman too - easy to handle and loves a cuddle.

OH B***ER    

[little blue]

Awww, how awful.
 Is it 'just one of those things' or is there a genetic or some possible cause?

[Blinkers]

I don't think they are that common and are caused by a tapeworm carried by a dog.   Don't know how on earth this got onto our land as no dogs run free over it.  Apparently usually comes about from a dog eating an infected sheep in the first place - someone suggested the hunt hounds may have been across the land - but none have to our knowledge.   

[shetlandpaul]

can foxs spread it.

[Rosemary]

What a shame. I know it's no real comfort but he's having a good time for now.

[kaz]

How really sad. I know you are so proud of him. I've got plenty here if you want a replacement, but at least you should have his offspring next spring.

One of our ewes many years ago had Gid, caused of course by dogs not being wormed. She walked around as if she was drunk at the time and still walks with her head to one side.

It really annoys me when people just let their dogs run over peoples fields and are not responsible enough to worm them.There is a lady who has been running her dog through the farmers field next door rather than walk it along the road.

[Canadian Sheepfarmer]

A growing problem here is sheep measles. Most of us have livestock guardian dogs living with the sheep 24/7 and they pass on a tapeworm that leads to yellow cysts in any muscle mass. Butchers pick up the problem as there is no external sign, it is bad news for the industry.

http://74.125.93.132/search?q=cache:BByVQvJFkGcJ:www.cansheep.ca/User/Docs/POV%252007-2009.pdf+sheep+measles&cd=8&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=ca

It is vital to worm the dogs regularly and not to let them eat carcases. A big problem is afterbirths. If you have 700 ewes lambing on pasture guarded by dogs it is almost impossible to stop the dogs from eating some afterbirth from which they progress to dead lambs.

Ah! If it was easy they would all be doing it!

[Blinkers]

Thanks all       It doesn't seem very common by all accounts.   Kaz - interesting to hear your report...and thanks for letting me know about your gang (by the way, your namesake is very well indeed - a little gem  ).    Not sure about the foxes - very good point tho - will have to investigate that one.    Canadian Sheepfarmer - crikey, sounds like quite a problem out your way.      It drives it home just how important it is to worm dogs.......only trouble is, its OTHER peoples dogs that are the problem 

[ellisr]

So sad to hear about your ram, I keep Ryelands too and would be happy to let you have a ram when if need one.
I worry as I have a public walk across my fields and actually had to put signs up to tell people to keep the dogs on leads as they let them run free and were worrying the sheep and with the lack of responsibility of some owners not worming dogs  it is a constant worry.
I would be devestated if anything happened to my big ram as he is so sweet and looks after all his girls wonderfully, and loves nothing better than a cuddle at morning check.
You ram is in the best care and will live out his life happy and secure I'm sure.

[Blinkers]

Hello and sooooo sorry for delay in replying - Been a tad busy!

Thanks everso for your kind words Ellisr.   I adore Hywel and he's still fine in himself at the moment and comes over to rub against the Quad - which he seems to adore for some bizarre reason!.... We have a cuddle too.     I've got a Coloured Ryeland aswell, but he's definiftely NOT your cuddly type.....even tho he looks as if he should be  .   The Ryelands are fantastic sheep although we also keep a small flock of Lleyns and which we find really good to handle too.   

Lambing starts on 10th March