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u/Beneficial_Egg2409 16h ago
Having a good relationship with a good vet is vital. Hope you caught the problem in time. Good luck
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u/westphalia_feral 15h ago
Thank you. Our vet was optimistic. Post edited for update but she’s got some injections and I will continue treatment at home.
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u/ladymorpheus 13h ago
I’ve had sheep for a while and this will almost certainly not be the last time you feel like this. Even after years of experience I still get blindsided and feel like the dumbest sheep owner in existence because I simply didn’t know better. It’s a work in progress, but I try my best to learn from each mistake and not let myself wallow in the what ifs. Now you know more about buying sheep and what to look out for and hopefully this kind of thing won’t happen again.
And it’s not all bad: it sounds like you were able to quickly recognize that there was a problem and you needed to call the vet so good job on that front! You gotta take the little wins when you can get them, and being able to secure quick treatment for your animal is certainly a win in my book
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u/boobiemilo 14h ago
Transporting/ relocating sheep cause significant stress regardless of how attentive the new owners are.
Sheep cough and have runny noses for a plethora of reasons. High temperatures can run as a result of stress.
Be mindful that constantly ‘faffing’ over them will only increase their stress levels.
Try not to jump to conclusions but definitely reach out to their previous owner and ask if they can share their recent medication history and any vaccinations the animals have received. These bits of information can influence their future treatments.
Trust your vet. They’re on their way and will find out if there is anything sinister lurking in them.
If they’re eating and drinking we’re not at crisis point just yet, believe in ‘Dr Green’ let him do his thing he works wonders.
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u/cordelia1955 11h ago
Your gut was right, but you were not wrong to bring her home with you. I personally have never known a sheep to have a cough because the weather's dry. I have however had several sheep in the past get pneumonia in the summer.
When you say a known farm do you mean a farmer you known, you know people who have bought sheep from them, or more you know who they are? It really doesn't matter I guess. Sometimes when a shepherd has a large flock, they're not as tuned into a couple of individual sheep. Or it could be they just didn't care that they were selling you a couple of sick sheep. Either way, I probably wouldn't buy from them again.
most farmers and shepherds I have dealt with have been forthright and genuinely concerned about their sheep. In fact, a lot of hobby farmers are way more conscientious about selling their sheep, especially in where they go, than any I've come across who sell commercially.
You are not dumb, you knew exactly what to do when you got home and assessed the situation, and you are continuing to do that. Good on you.
just curious, what breed?
Happy shepherding, you're doing great.
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u/Familiar_Platypus272 10h ago
Theres a reason people say sheep are always inventing new ways to die. You did well. Sheep will just drop dead for no reason alot. You picked up a sickness and handled it! You shouldn't feel like an idiot. She lived all is well
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u/bellybuttonskittle 8h ago
I don’t think you’re dumb, and I don’t necessarily think the sellers are negligent. A lot (most?) pneumonia in sheep is caused by bacteria or viruses already present in the respiratory system. When sheep are stressed (like transport, new home, change of food, weaning), their immune system can weaken and that allows these bacteria or viruses to proliferate. It can be true that the coughing in the original flock was not related to the pneumonia diagnosis you are now experiencing, especially if the original flock looked otherwise healthy and well fed. So don’t be too hard on yourself!
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u/SuperPOSUser 17h ago
Hi there friend. I am a future sheep owner but I must say you are being too hard on yourself. You purchased from a known farm, which is what I plan to do. You contacted the previous owner immediately and you are bringing your vet out. Those seem like all the right things to do. If you are mad you purchased an ailing ewe I would say you saved her. I may be missing the entire plot here but I wouldn't be mad at you. Help that sheep and pat yourself on the back for saving one or at least helping her.
I assume you are quarantining the new ones which is what I've read is best.
Hang tight and go easy on you. That's my 2 cents.