Greetings from Logan's Land

[Logan's Land]

Hi everyone!
I have a small hobby farm with 10 sheep of various breeds, a German Shepherd who herds them training for C & D course trials, and a resident long haired cat. I wanted to join so I would have some place to go to for questions/issues/answers/ experiences with my sheep.

So the first question I have is: what have any of you done for an older sheep that has a runny nose? He doesn't have any other symptoms but this constant runny nose. He is 15 and getting thin which seems pretty normal to start getting thin at that advanced age. I'm currently feeding him a medicated grain to be sure he is getting supplemental nutrition in addition to the pasture grass. I called the vet but they say he would have to be seen by the vet in order to prescribe anything but that is super expensive. So I went to TSC to see if there was anything over the counter and apparently there isn't. So any home remedies you'd like to share?

 

[SageHill]

Welcome to the board from So Cal. Where are you at?
Can't help you on the old guy. I do have 2 oldsters that knock on wood are fine. The rest are all young.
Course C and D eh? You should try the French Course (yes, AKC). I've trialed and judged since the beginning of the AKC program (and earned Herding Trial Champion on one of my home bred Tervs). I'm not trialing any more now because I just want to work my dogs and raise the sheep. All Laekenois dogs now.

 

[Mini Horses]

What type of runny nose? Pretty clear liquid or mucus snot? If clear, could be allergy related. Any cough, fever, lethargy? So Benadryl if clear, an antibiotic if not. Anything on hand?

Oh, welcome to the forum

 

[Baymule]

He’s 15 years old? First of all, congratulations on his old age! Life expectancy for sheep is 10-12 years. I’m sure he gets the best of care. A clear runny nose probably isn’t anything to worry about. But do keep an eye on him. Welcome to the forum!

 

[Logan's Land]

Welcome to the board from So Cal. Where are you at?
Can't help you on the old guy. I do have 2 oldsters that knock on wood are fine. The rest are all young.
Course C and D eh? You should try the French Course (yes, AKC). I've trialed and judged since the beginning of the AKC program (and earned Herding Trial Champion on one of my home bred Tervs). I'm not trialing any more now because I just want to work my dogs and raise the sheep. All Laekenois dogs now.

I'm in Ohio. I haven't tried the French course mainly because I've got enough to do. Although if its like C course i guess I could. All of those are far and few between! Glad to know someone else who has done this type of herding!

 

[Logan's Land]

He’s 15 years old? First of all, congratulations on his old age! Life expectancy for sheep is 10-12 years. I’m sure he gets the best of care. A clear runny nose probably isn’t anything to worry about. But do keep an eye on him. Welcome to the forum!

Thanks

 

[Logan's Land]

What type of runny nose? Pretty clear liquid or mucus snot? If clear, could be allergy related. Any cough, fever, lethargy? So Benadryl if clear, an antibiotic if not. Anything on hand?

Oh, welcome to the forum

The runny nose discharge is clear, no lethargy, I hadn't thought of Benadryl didn't know you could give that. What dose? Was thinking about an intramuscular penicillin injection...

 

[Logan's Land]

Thanks

Re sheep age - My 15 year old wether has a buddy who is 14. And he is doing very well. And a friend of mine had a sheep live to 17!

 

[SageHill]

I'm in Ohio. I haven't tried the French course mainly because I've got enough to do. Although if its like C course i guess I could. All of those are far and few between! Glad to know someone else who has done this type of herding!

It's way better than C course - and more practical. It's less artificial. It's actually pretty close to how I work here on the ranch.
I judged C course out your way eons ago at Raspberry Ridge.

 

[Logan's Land]

It's way better than C course - and more practical. It's less artificial. It's actually pretty close to how I work here on the ranch.
I judged C course out your way eons ago at Raspberry Ridge.

How do you mean that it is "way better"? I haven't seen it and have had some difficulty keeping my shepherd going around the graze so I have only trialed in started one time. She does everything else well. But she is a rescue from another sheep farm and I don't know if her moving around the graze brings back bad memories. Any thoughts?