I have just gotten myself to the point where I am able to post about this. One of my 2 month old emus was badly injured a few days ago. I think he was laying in a mud puddle and got stepped on by a passing donkey. He had a neck wound that was a scrape with feathers missing. I took him to my vet who has emu experience from the emu ranching boom days. He did not have much hope for him but recommended a course of steroids. I sat with him for almost three days, night and day. If I left his sight he whistled frantically until I returned. By Day 3 he was unable to eat, drink, lift his head or move his neck. He could still stand but frantically threw himself into the sides of the cage because he had no balance. It was three of the worst days of my life between the guilt that he got injured in the first place, and the horrible struggle he was in. I finally got he courage to allow him to be euthanized by the vet. I couldn't take him there myself so my husband did it for me.
My vet says that if you can get an emu to a year old they are practically bulletproof, it's just getting them there that is hard. He mentioned seeing neck and spinal injuries from them running into walls, fences, etc. He says their little heads are small and their brains only contain so many neurons that have to control their big bodies.
I treasure the two I have left and have moved the donkeys to another pasture. We only have 10 more months to get to the one year mark.
Please be kind in replying. I am only posting this as a warning to others. No one knows more than we do the that we made a huge mistake and a terrible accident was the end result.
RIP little Pee Wee.
You were loved.
My vet says that if you can get an emu to a year old they are practically bulletproof, it's just getting them there that is hard. He mentioned seeing neck and spinal injuries from them running into walls, fences, etc. He says their little heads are small and their brains only contain so many neurons that have to control their big bodies.
I treasure the two I have left and have moved the donkeys to another pasture. We only have 10 more months to get to the one year mark.
Please be kind in replying. I am only posting this as a warning to others. No one knows more than we do the that we made a huge mistake and a terrible accident was the end result.
RIP little Pee Wee.
