Last night at feeding time I found that a yearling ram had broken off one of his horns. There was some blood around the nubbin that was left but he seemed fine and ate his dinner. I found the horn on the ground next to the wire panel fence and I am guessing that he was rubbing on the fence, got the horn caught and broke it off. We packed it with "Cut-Heal" wound powder and let it be.
This morning when we went out to feed, we found that the horn had bled quite a bit through the night. He still acted fine and ate his feed, but looked a little like an escapee from the slaughter house. We caught him and trimmed off some of the frozen and bloody wool on his face and neck, the wound had definately clotted. We gave him a shot of antibiotics "just in case"... I am sure this was an unnecesary precaution, but I would rather be safe than sorry when it comes to injuries.
I called and talked to the vet and he said that it happens all of the time and although it looks terrible, he has never seen an animal bleed to death from losing a horn. I guess if it is going to happen, this is the perfect time of year for it - there are no bugs to get at the wound and the freezing temps will likely help keep things clean and free of mud.
I am going to spare you from looking at pictures of the bloody mess... The ram is still fine this evening and doesn't seem any the worse for ware.
Definitely want to keep up on the overeating tetanus. My Millie has the casts on her horns because she kept breaking them open.
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DeleteTeresa - Excellent point! He is up to date on CD&T but a very good thing to consider with open wounds for sure...
ReplyDeleteI learn so much from your posting. Thanks. I put something on my blog for you.
ReplyDeleteI guess if cattle didn't bleed to death from the cruel, old-fashioned, de-horning methods, your ram will survive as well. You're right about the time of year; no need to worry about maggots!
ReplyDeleteI don't know anything about a Ram, but maybe if you put the horn under it's pillow... maybe it's like baby teeth? Glad to hear all is well now.
ReplyDeleteSheep are pretty free bleeders aren't they ...
ReplyDeleteAnd yes you are lucky that it happened in the cold rather than the heat of summer with all the bugs.
Did you train your Aussie??? What I have read I guess they have a natural ability to herd and will nip at the heels of humans in an attempt to herd them.
Can't take him out to much yet ... still cold and wet and he doesn't get his parvo until next week ... after that tho ... he will be with me every time I'm in the pasture.
Teri♥♥♥