The Poultry Keeper

Issy · Joined: 22 Nov 2005 Posts: 371 Location: somerset

Have just had to have my last original ewes put to sleep. This is not good as we have only been keeping sheep (a lifetime of other animals but never sheep before) for 8 months and I have lost both original ewes. Floss had to go a couple of months after arrival when it became apparent that our grass was too rich for her (I couldn't stop her bloating - especially as she just walked through electric fencing!!), but Elsie was here to stay for life. she was a fantastic mum, very friendly, always had twins and always lambed outside with no help. Every smallholders dream. Unfortunately a fortnight after her lambs went I noticed her walking funny - got her in and called the vet. She had mastitis (turned out to be an abscess in there). We tried lots of different treatment but unfortunately the abscess couldn't be cut out and the antibiotics couldn't reach it and it got to the stage where we felt she was suffering, so today she was put down.
I still have the three I bought from a local farmer who appear to be much more suited to the area and when the ram has visited later this month hopefully we will have some more, but Elsie had earned her place here as a pet if necessary so it is gut wrenching that she didn't have that opportunity Sad

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CP · Posted: Thu Nov 02, 2006 8:56 pm Post subject:

So sorry Issy. Crying or Very sad

NannyP · Posted: Thu Nov 02, 2006 10:57 pm Post subject:

Sorry

Spana · Joined: 30 Apr 2005 Posts: 2243 Location: North Cornwall

Bad day

rubychik · Posted: Thu Nov 02, 2006 11:55 pm Post subject:

aww sorry to hear that Issy.

Lisa · Posted: Fri Nov 03, 2006 8:41 am Post subject:

How sad.... Crying or Very sad

((((((hugs))))))

mojo · Posted: Fri Nov 03, 2006 9:43 am Post subject:

hold on to your memories

Fenn · Joined: 16 Jun 2005 Posts: 2292 Location: Shrewsbury

Aaw, I'm sorry to hear about poor Elsie Sad

milkmaid · Joined: 19 Apr 2005 Posts: 7370 Location: isle of lewis

sorry to hear your news mastitis is horrible to deal with ,
i nearly lost a goat to it a couple of years ago,fortuneatly it turned into wooden udder and then fell off ,
i'm sorry about your ewe

Issy · Joined: 22 Nov 2005 Posts: 371 Location: somerset

Thanks for the replies guys. It was the most horrid discission to make - she fought for five weeks through the most horrendous treatment (udder tubes and being milked three times a day) - obviously in so much pain when you touched her. But she was loosing the battle and her fleece was falling out to such an extent that as it got colder it seemed cruel to continue. Still we do have loads of pics (brilliant idea Mojo) so she won't be forgotten. It is just a shame that the last thing she knew from us was hurt.

mojo · Posted: Wed Nov 08, 2006 9:55 am Post subject:

but she had ages of love and affection thats what counts in the end.........may she walk forever in a spring pasture lush with grass and the soft sun upon her fleece...........now thats the memorie to hold not the pain....hugs from the fat fool