What an interesting day it’s been! Interesting animal health news abounded, and animals impressed me, too. I’m just going to start with the actual seasonal miracle. Well, you may recall me saying we’d lost our hen, Betty, the Americauna who laid light brown eggs. I said that because when I checked on her between rain storms, she was lifelessly laying in a puddle.
I didn’t put her in a plastic bag to be disposed of, because of the rain. Next time I checked, I realized she was still alive, though she hadn’t moved. Yesterday, when I did my evening check, she’d moved. What?
This morning when I went in, she’d moved again, and I saw her move around. I mentioned to someone that I could swear she was actually better. But how? She was really looking bad for a few days, and was soaked. Nonetheless, when I got home from horse training today, after being given up for dead for three days, there was Betty.
So, her name is Not Dead Betty from now on. Who knows what was wrong? Did she have a virus? An impacted egg? A cold? I just cannot believe this miracle of rebirth. How seasonal!
So, What Else?
Well, there’s good news and bad news in the horse department.
- Good: I was able to get Drew groomed today, with just a few clods of dirt left in his mane. He’s all soft and smooth now.
- Bad: Apache seemed ok in grooming, but when we got to Tarrin’s, his back was all bloody. Drew was biting him in the trailer. No wonder the trailer was rocking all the way there (which took extra long, of course, thanks to having to get gas, hitting every traffic light, AND being blocked by a train again.)
- Bad: Apache seems to be all inflamed for some reason. His lymph nodes are all puffy. Tarrin thinks it’s allergies from all the new rich grass and pollen. He gets to stay in the pens during the day for a while to work on it, and he will need lots of exercise (that’s good).
- Good: Drew was amazingly better at this week’s lesson, even with no riding in the past week. It was like watching a different horse, and riding him was actually fun! That was a miracle to me. Both Tarrin and I needed positive horse experiences today, so hooray.
I was relieved that Drew was doing so well today and paying attention to me so well. I am equally concerned that Apache is having his issues flaring up. I hope we have caught the inflammation in time to get him back on track. When one of your animals is sick, it’s like your child is ill. I’ll just hug on him and dote on him and let him eat hay all day.
There were all sorts of other things going on here, none of which are my stories to tell, but I’m glad we all have each other to support one another around here. If you have any to spare, send vibes out to my family, okay?
The Hermits' Rest 
Glad to hear Betty chicken is perking up! One of my horses seems to have seasonal allergies too. His allergies result in eye irritation where his eyes are more weepy/itchy than usual. In consultation with his veterinarian, we use a combination of cleaning his face and wiping his eyes, wearing fly masks, giving him daily Zyrtec and adding flax seed to his daily rational balancer pellets. As I’m sure you already know, it’s a constant management thing. I commiserate with your worry. It’s hard to watch our horses deal with something that there doesn’t yet seem to be a cure for.
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I learned something new today: impacted eggs. I had no idea! I hope your animal family is on the mend so that you can all relax and enjoy each other.
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Me too!
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Yes. We’re hoping restricting grass will work. Otherwise it’s Zyrtec.
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It’s allergy season for real now here in Arkansas, probably much like Texas – with yellow pollen coating everything. Didn’t realize horses have allergies too, and you’re expanded my education again. Good luck with it all! Sending good vibes for the family, and amazement at Not Dead Betty, who has risen indeed! When she’s laying again, let us know.
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I’ll let you know what’s going on privately.
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