We have had a pretty torrid time with a six week old, 17 kilo fawn cria who went down with an overwhelming infection – that’s what the bloods said – last Monday. He was on a drip for a couple of days, except it kept coagulating, had plasma IV and antibiotics, steroids, you name it. By Friday his temperature was normal, heart beating away OK but the cria was fitting and couldn’t move his legs or sit up or lift his head. We were on our way to the Dutch show at Assen on Friday and although the vet advised euthanasia decided not to. Our stockman Andrew got two litres of milk a day down him and he was still alive when we arrived home last night. This morning there was another euthanasia debate but when I sat him up he could hold up his head albeit very shakily. Hurrah, hope at last. He was reunited with his mother, Champagne Lass, who is not sure about him and is a bit of an hysteric but he keeps calling her. Just now I gave him another bottle, a good spoonful of Manuka honey and when I stood him up he stayed upright on his own and took a few steps unaided before falling over. I think we will have to keep going with the home grown physiotherapy and see if his balance returns. Obviously he will have to be called Lazarus if he makes it.
