Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[Ponypoor]

I am way behind, still have to read Tuesday through today. And have several things I want to post about, but this post is dedicated to Miss Z. Ironically it is “Pony Sunday”, the day we post about the other animals besides chickens that we love. This will be a long, sad post.

We don’t expect Miss Z to make it through the night. For the past three weeks we have been doing everything we can for her. Unfortunately what we originally thought was just an injured front leg turned out to be a parasitic infection that got into her central nervous system. We were unaware that there is a worm that is common in whitetail deer that uses snails as part of its lifecycle, and we are overrun with both. When llamas accidentally ingest the snails (or vegetation that they have been in and left the parasitic larva on), they make their way to the spinal cord. It causes lameness and weakness in the hind end, and progresses to cause lots of other issues.

There are treatments that are frequently successful if caught early enough and if the animal is otherwise healthy. We had taken her to a vet when she started limping, but like with chickens there are very few vets that know much about llamas and the ones that will agree to treat them are usually just large animal/livestock vets with limited experience with camelids. It wasn’t until almost two weeks after the initial symptoms that I called the person who comes to shear her every year to get advice, both because it was over the July 4th holiday and the vet was closed for four days, and also because I know she has had llamas for almost 25 years. She is the one who helped me figure out the real issue, and gave me advice on how to treat her.

We have been doing all we can, but she has been unable to stand for six days. She had started to show a little more control of her tail the past two days, and could move her legs a little with assistance. But even with appetite stimulants and trying to yemot her with mashed and treat this past week she wasn’t eating enough and also became dehydrated. With the horrible heat we have been having she needs more guide than normal, not less, and she has gotten too weak to keep fighting.

We had made the decision that as long as she still seemed alert, still acted like she wanted to fight, we would do everything we could for her. Today I could tell she was starting to give up. I still have her medication and used our jerky gun to help her eat some mash, just in case she rallied. But tonight when I went to check her one more time before bed she looked like she had been trying to roll over and had her neck twisted at an awkward angle and was barely responsive. So I helped her get rolled over into what looked like a more comfortable position, told her it was ok to go if she was ready, sat with her a little while and then left her in peace. I am hoping she passes peacefully in the night, but if she doesn’t I will make arrangements to help her pass on tomorrow.

We love her very much, and will miss her.

Here she is a few weeks ago, watching the chickens. She seemed to really enjoy them and would frequently watch them or sleep in front of their coop on guard duty.
View attachment 3572185

Oh I am so sorry to hear Ms Z is so poorly. Hopefully she passes quietly tonight.

 

[rural mouse]

I am way behind, still have to read Tuesday through today. And have several things I want to post about, but this post is dedicated to Miss Z. Ironically it is “Pony Sunday”, the day we post about the other animals besides chickens that we love. This will be a long, sad post.

We don’t expect Miss Z to make it through the night. For the past three weeks we have been doing everything we can for her. Unfortunately what we originally thought was just an injured front leg turned out to be a parasitic infection that got into her central nervous system. We were unaware that there is a worm that is common in whitetail deer that uses snails as part of its lifecycle, and we are overrun with both. When llamas accidentally ingest the snails (or vegetation that they have been in and left the parasitic larva on), they make their way to the spinal cord. It causes lameness and weakness in the hind end, and progresses to cause lots of other issues.

There are treatments that are frequently successful if caught early enough and if the animal is otherwise healthy. We had taken her to a vet when she started limping, but like with chickens there are very few vets that know much about llamas and the ones that will agree to treat them are usually just large animal/livestock vets with limited experience with camelids. It wasn’t until almost two weeks after the initial symptoms that I called the person who comes to shear her every year to get advice, both because it was over the July 4th holiday and the vet was closed for four days, and also because I know she has had llamas for almost 25 years. She is the one who helped me figure out the real issue, and gave me advice on how to treat her.

We have been doing all we can, but she has been unable to stand for six days. She had started to show a little more control of her tail the past two days, and could move her legs a little with assistance. But even with appetite stimulants and trying to yemot her with mashed and treat this past week she wasn’t eating enough and also became dehydrated. With the horrible heat we have been having she needs more guide than normal, not less, and she has gotten too weak to keep fighting.

We had made the decision that as long as she still seemed alert, still acted like she wanted to fight, we would do everything we could for her. Today I could tell she was starting to give up. I still have her medication and used our jerky gun to help her eat some mash, just in case she rallied. But tonight when I went to check her one more time before bed she looked like she had been trying to roll over and had her neck twisted at an awkward angle and was barely responsive. So I helped her get rolled over into what looked like a more comfortable position, told her it was ok to go if she was ready, sat with her a little while and then left her in peace. I am hoping she passes peacefully in the night, but if she doesn’t I will make arrangements to help her pass on tomorrow.

We love her very much, and will miss her.

Here she is a few weeks ago, watching the chickens. She seemed to really enjoy them and would frequently watch them or sleep in front of their coop on guard duty.
View attachment 3572185

 

[rural mouse]

Awwww such a lovely girl, she reminds me of Misty and Whiskers here When do you think hatch day will be?

I'm guessing the last week of July

 

[Marie2020]

The guy changed his mind about Estrella but she has a good home as it is. View attachment 3571656

I've missed these posts as I have had problems with my phone and other issues.

Is this a failed Foster
That would be me

 

[Marie2020]

Good night Kelly.

I'm so looking forward to a show this evening on catch up TV. A Spy Amongst Friends

I think it was a good one, I felt sad for both of the main guy's. The trouble was I kept so didn't get the whole of it. don't anyone mention I'm getting old

 

[Marie2020]

I would use the cabinet for sure. You may want to put a divider or 2 in there.

Bob, when are you coming over here to fix my bathroom and coop. It'll on take you 24 hours to get here and about a weeks work

 

[Marie2020]

Baby Silkies are gone

I'm sorry Kelly

I took them down to their own home.

I also got a look at the chicks hatched from my eggs. Here are some of the silkie crosses.

Almost 100% sure this is a Marty baby

He's really gorgeous

View attachment 3571555View attachment 3571557

These are likely Curly or Fluffy babies

Can I have them, pretty please

View attachment 3571558View attachment 3571559

One of her Silkie hens that looks like Marty
View attachment 3571560

 

[Marie2020]

I just read something from a mold expert who said distilled vinegar is more effective than bleach. I never tried that before but will give it a go in future.

That's what I use plus my ever faithful bicarbonate soda which helps too dry things up then I add lavender and rosemary because these pesky flies hate them.

No this is some kind of wool fibre that's appeared. I had a dead rat in that area when I took on this place. If its a mouse ill cage it. I can't kill a squater

 

[Marie2020]

Babs is very understated and lady-like, but she sure can stuff her face!

There's little boy around here with the same problem, he just can't stop eating he can't tell when he's had enough. So he's on a growth hormones , maybe Babs could do with some of that. Come to think of it I could do with some to

 

[Marie2020]

Poor Penne is hanging around me he likely misses his sisters.

At least you're a great substitute. I'd love to hang out with you Kelly