[Jacob-list] excessive salivation

[Kathryn Shirley]

This could also just be a simple case of grass tetany.  If they weren't used to lush grass (as compared to their regular diet), they may have way overeaten what was there.  Grass tetany can be treated by giving high magnesium mineral salt.

Kate Shirley
Humbug Farm
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Linda 
  To: Paintedrockfarm at aol.com ; jacob-list at jacobsheep.com 
  Sent: Wednesday, May 25, 2005 4:50 PM
  Subject: Re: [Jacob-list] excessive salivation


  Thank you, Cheryl.  There are no poison plants in that paddock, but with the wind we had, there were a lot of leaves from who knows where.  I didn't see any poison leaves, but if they ate them, I guess I wouldn't :-)

  Other than the excessive salivation, muscle weakness (RubyBelle was stumbling and exhibited very obvious hindquarter weakness), and very slow respiration, I didn't observe any of the other symptoms for nitrate poisoning, but the situation seemed conducive.   I imagine anything that caused pain could cause stumbling and she was in pain.  I did check membranes for signs of cyanosis (or anything out of the ordinary), but didn't see anything unusual.  

  I don't swear by chemical fertilizers by any means!  When we had rich level bottom land that seldom needed much, we used everything organic.  So far, it hasn't been affordable here.  Try buying a few bags of rock phosphate.  We do use as much rabbit manure as we can carry, but that does tend to be spread in areas where I can get with the truck.  I love being tucked away here where we can't see any houses or hear anybody at night, but it's not exactly what you'd think of as farm land. ( My vegetable garden is 100% organic, though).  One good thing is that the pregnant ewes (and me) get plenty of exercise.

  Linda
  What's New at Patchwork Farm?

  On Wed, 25 May 2005 16:25:59 EDT, Paintedrockfarm at aol.com wrote:
  > Linda, just some thoughts on your possible poisoning issues...
      Most likely you are
  > not dealing with nitrate, or more accurately, nitrite poisoning. 
  > Basically, the nitrite ion in the blood converts hemoglobin to
  > methemoglobin and acts like a vasodilator.  Hypoxia and low blood
  > pressure are your results and symptoms include rapid, weak
  > heartbeat; low body temperature, muscle weakness/ataxia (stumbling)
  > and cyanosis.  Seizures or convulsions are common, sometimes within
  > an hour.  Most cases,however, result in death within about 3-4
  > hours.  Treatment would be administering a 2% solution of methylene
  > blue, which aids in the reduction of methemoglobin to hemoglobin. 
  > Mineral oil is commonly given to protect the irritated mucous
  > membranes within the digestive system.   As for the pennkoted seed,
  > who knows!  There should be a poison control number on that bag
  > somewhere, you know, in case of accidental ingestion!  I've learned
  > that organic is best around critters of all sorts.  I guess there
  > is just too many things to go wrong with chemical fertilizers and
  > such so I steer clear.  Other people swear by them, which is fine. 
  > I politely say, "No thank you" and go on about my organic-like way.
  >   Hope the sheep are doing better and have/are recovering nicely. 
  > Have a great day! -- Cheryl       Mike & Cheryl Terrano Painted
  > Rock Farm Route 4 Box 726 Buckhannon, WV 26201-9205 (304) 457-6620
  > paintedrockfarm at aol.com
  > Breeders of Registered Jacob Sheep & French Angora Rabbits




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