Theileria, As If Lyme Disease Wasn't Enough

I went for what started as a nice foggy morning ride on Otoelene yesterday.  

She was calm, the temperature was nice, the sun wasn't blazing. 

I hadn't ridden across the creek in a long time and the cattle were over there so I thought I would go check on them.  

Instead of being out grazing, they were all in and around a stagnate pond.

In case you can't tell, they are covered in tick.  We now have the Asian longhorned tick.  A couple of months ago, we had 3 sick cows, 2 died and 1 is still trying to recover.  When the first one got sick I thought it was rabies because of the unusual behavior.  She died in 4 days.  When the second one got sick and died a large animal vet I work with suggested testing for Theileria.  J roped the 3rd one (currently recovering) and I got a blood sample to send off.  It came back positive. 

It is a blood parasite that causes anemia and death in some cattle during times of stress (such as calving).  There really isn't much of a treatment or prevention other than trying to control the ticks which is pretty much impossible.  

Fortunately, humans are not at risk of the disease.  On my way back to the creek from checking the cattle, Otoelene became so agitated that I had to get off before she exploded.  I tied to get a picture of all of the ticks swarming her but hanging on to her was like hanging onto a kite.  But this is what my legs looked like after just a few steps. 

When I got back to the barn, I sprayed myself with fly spray, washed and sprayed Otoelene, then came to the house to take a shower and wash my clothes.  You can see the whelps that broke out on Otoelene's chest. I don't think I will be riding over there again for awhile.  I really hate ticks. 
 

Yard Waste Not Wasted

We have a couple of River Birch trees in the yard that need limbing up every year so I can mow under them.  

This created a good pile of brush. 

As I was dragging it to the truck to haul off,  I noticed the goats nearby and thought I would give them a treat. 

They all came running.

And wadding in the leaves as fast as they could.  I like when things don't go to waste.     But on a sad note...

I saw this on Facebook a couple of days ago.   A farm in Idaho lost 39 goats to Japanese Yew poisoning.   It was miss identified as juniper and thrown over the fence to the goats.  Japanese Yew is very poisonous and it only takes a few bites to kill an animal.   That is why I have made a point to not plant any in the yard, ever.  I didn't even want to risk something getting in the yard and eating it by accident.    What a tragedy.  
 

Just Kit Sunday #169

Kit Kat's children's book, chapter two.

Kit Kat in the box. 

Kit Kat on the box. 

Kit Kat behind the box. 

Kit Kat beside the box. 
 

Coupon Saturday #57

I am actually getting a coupon Saturday posted on Saturday!

This week I am getting to try some new things.  Both Palmolive products are new and the Chex Mix cheese is new to me.  Plus, I have never tried the Naked Juice.  

But who can pass up $31 of stuff for $1.90.  
 

Woodland Scene

I had an idea of using some hollow logs as pots for a little yard scene. 

I ended up digging up some ferns out of the woods to plant in them.  Perfect little spot for a gnome. 
 

Just Kit Sunday #168

I think Kit has really been enjoying the new stairs.  And I have been enjoying the daylilies. 

Kit Kat on the steps. 

Kit Kat going up the steps. 

Kit Kat coming down the steps. 

There could be a children's book in there somewhere. 
 

Bringing In The Strays

I went riding on Otoelene yesterday morning around the farm.  We ran into a stray baby goat way away from the other goats.  Apparently, it had gotten separated the day before.  The herd moved on and it was lost.  So I started herding it around to where it could get with the others.  

Then I ran into this, Maggie with another stray.  

My stray is already on the other side of the gate.  This one was sticking close to Maggie.  She headed for the shade under the barn and the goat followed.  I tried a little to get it to go with the other one but decided it was safe enough where it was.  He had his own guardian angel.