When you’re a shepherd there is nothing worse than having a sick animal that you don’t know how to help.
Emily, our summer apprentice, called us on Saturday when she discovered that something was very wrong with one of the nannies. She described the symptoms, which were specific enough to narrow our focus down to two possibilities. One was something we’ve seen too much of before, the other something new. Not knowing which it was, I advised Emily to treat for both diseases. Then I asked her which goat it was. When she answered, “107,” my heart sank.
There isn’t a one of our animals that I would prefer to be ill, but 107, a.k.a. Agnes, is one of our best mamas. She was the first goat to kid this year, giving us the magnificent Arno. She’s a sweetheart, and I’m very attached to her.
By Sunday, I could hear serious worry in Emily’s voice over the phone, so I drove down to New York to check on her myself. I don’t believe I’ve ever seen an animal look as ill as Agnes did and still be one her feet, and I started preparing Emily for the fact that she would probably have to be put down this morning. The only good news is that seeing her for myself helped me settle one a diagnoses of Listeriosis. A call to my vet this morning confirmed it and that the treatment we were giving was the correct one.
The good news is that Agnes has taken a turn for the better since this morning. According to everything I’ve read, if Emily hadn’t caught it in time, Agnes would already have died. There’s a good chance that she’s going to survive, but we won’t know if she will suffer any permanent damage for a while. Because Listeriosis is communicable via milk, we weaned Arno immediately. Luckily, Arno is a big, healthy kid, and was already eating a lot of hay and grain; no other kid in the flock was in as good a position to be weaned.
I’ll keep you up-to-date on Agnes progress. Keep her in your thoughts.
{ 35 comments… read them below or add one }
Oh, Agnes! Oh, Arno! Oh, Susan and Emily! Sending healing thoughts from the left coast.
You’re in great hands, Agnes! Emily is a great surrogate shepherd. Get well soon!
Oh no, I hope she is OK – I just read your link, maybe all the sucky rain and crappy humidity surely did not help! crossing fingers and wishing Agnes and Arno well! GO EMILY!
Kudos to Emily for being so alert. Sending good thoughts to Agnes. It’s comforting to know our flock is in such good hands.
Way to go Emily! Excellent instinct. C’mon Agnes — get well! We need more of you. Keep us all posted Susan.
Oh, poor Agnes…sending good healthy vibes your way sweetie. And for you too Emily…thanks for watching over ‘our’ nannies for us!
Oh, lovely Agnes! You guys are in my thoughts and prayers.
Poor poor Agnes. It is one of the most heartwrenching things to have a sick animal. I do hope she gets better. This Michigander is rooting for her.
Good Job Emily for quickly recognizing Agnes was sick. Sending well wishes for Agnes to get well soon.
Many good thoughts and positive energy being sent for Agnes, Emily et al. Gosh, what a rough thing for everyone to deal with.
Oh no! Emily–you are obviously doing a GREAT job to catch that as soon as you did. I’m so glad Agnes is doing better, and my fingers are crossed for her continuing health.
Healing thoughts to Agnes and kudos to Emily and Susan.
Thanks Emily for a job well done. Hoping Agnes and Arno are well and in a hurry.
Oh my god! Poor Agnes!!!
Thank God for Emily catching the symptoms in time! You must be so grateful to have two such great interns on hand!
Oh no! Not sweet Agnes!!! Emily, I’m so glad you’re on board and caught this. Sending lots of healing thoughts for Agnes and a lot of thank yous to Emily
I just posted about my very sick cat. It’s just terrible when one of your furry/wooly children are sick. Sending healing thoughts your way…..
Hi everyone – thanks so much for all of your good thoughts and support! Agnes pushed Harry around a bit this evening while we gave her her antibiotics, so we’re taking that as a sign that she’s stronger than she was yesterday. Keeping our fingers crossed…
Emily, Thanks for the update! Glad to hear she’s shoving Harry around!
Susie, Can you explain the process of weaning the babies? I know WHEN it happens, but not how. Do you just take them away and put them in a separate pen?
Hoping for the best. I know this must be hard on all of you. It’s so good that Arno is the first and biggest kid.
Sending happy healing thoughts to everyone!
Oh, Susan and Emily…Poor Agnes being so ill and poor Arno, being weaned the hard way.
Susan you are very fortunate to have Emily.
Thoughts and prayers for a quick recovery for Agnes.
Oh no!!! I hope everything is ok… I’m wicked worried!!
I’m sending good thoughts Agnes’ way. It’s so scary to have a furry one sick. I know the feeling – my little puli, Miss Emma Peel, stopped eating last week and spent this entire long holiday weekend at the emergency vet hooked up to an IV. They’re still not sure if she’s sick due to a horrible UTI they discovered or if she has leptospirosis. We’ll find out when the lepto test comes back next week. In the meantime, home fluid injections and antibiotics on on the docket for my baby…
Emily! you are a gift to the animals – what a smart call to make. Glad to hear that Agnes is looking better – sending good thoughts your way!
I’ll be praying and sending good thoughts for Agnes and Arno!
Emily, you are a wicked good shepard to be! Good eye and great instincts. You get to know your charges and when you see a change in them you get worried. Here is to Sweet Agnes and her getting better!
So sorry to hear about Agnes. Glad she is doing better today. Good healing thoughts going out to her. Good work Emily
Adding Agnes to my prayers.
oh dear
agnes i am beaming u love straight from my heart and soul
for you all there
godspeed
get well please
soon
with lotsa love,
rona and kehli the dog
Sending love to Agnes and Arno who have given us so much. I’m just about in tears now.
I will keep her in my thoughts! I had listeriosis (and a miscarriage caused by it) myself many years ago.
god bless emily! and agnes is in my thought!
give miss emily a hug from me!
Agnes, Agnes, hang in there, we love you. And Emily thank you so much for your good guardianship. Fingers crossed.
I’m praying for Agnes and Arno. Good job, Emily . . . so glad you were there to catch it!
How is Agnes?????