By Chris R.
Social media has done some great things for animal rescue.
Word travels fast, but Facebook even faster, with details of animals in need
quickly forwarded through the rescue network state wide. This was the
case with an impounded sheep one busy winters day. We received a screen
shot of a young dorper ram with a huge lump on his chest. He was found
wandering an urban street and when his owner was contacted, no effort was made
for his collection.
Concerned for his welfare, we forwarded the images to our
veterinarians who indicated it may be a herniated chest cavity, which is very
serious and can be life threatening. To adhere to protocol, the young sheep was
unable to be released from the pound until his minimum impound duration was met. It was
a very long ten days, corresponding with our vets and planning for his
immediate transport to the clinic. At last, in the safety of the vet
hospital, we visited to meet and say hello to our newest charge and it was
decided he was indeed an ‘Oscar’ – as suggested by the volunteer helping
transport him.
An MRI was organised and it was confirmed that part of his
stomach was within the mass which sat behind Oscar's right front leg. A
trauma to the site, consistent with a bang from a vehicle or similar, may have
eventuated in the stomach wall being damaged and the creation of a hernia, a
critical condition for a sheep if left untreated. Immediate surgery was
organised and the Farm Animal Services team swung into action.
Oscar recovered well from his procedure. He was up and
eating as soon as conscious and was making many friends in the clinic. His clinic stay
was a long one, given the need to manage his wound appropriately and he was
only released once his temperature was stable and the risk of infection reduced.
We had not realised the steep learning curve which running
the Sanctuary would be, particularly in regards to medical treatments for the
animals in our care. At home, Oscar needed a daily antibiotic injection and his
wound tended. We learned fast how to undertake Oscar’s post-operative
care, in particular the need to provide lots of treats and tasty lucerne to
keep him occupied and distracted during treatment times. Oscar was a model
patient and forgave quickly once his bowl of lupins arrived.
At just over six weeks after Oscar’s rescue, we were excited
to learn that he was recovering fully. He had been hindered by
reactions to his sutures, but soon gained weight and was playing with his new
friends, Hope, Cosmo and Dorothy. Oscar's medical emergency was a distant memory when
watching him run and jump on the back lawn.
A huge thank you to all those who donated to assist to save
Oscar’s life. At only ten months, he has a bright, safe future at the
Sanctuary to look forward to.
