R.I.P. Sweet Boy

I am so sorry to report that our sweet boy “Remington Steele” has died unexpectantly. Many of you remember him as a gorgeous and gentle young male with magnificent gray fiber. He was also our upcoming stud. Animal deaths happen at every farm at some point. I know this but it doesn’t make this any easier. It’s a part of my job that can be devastating. Sometimes an animal is sick and I have a chance to diagnose and try to treat. Sometimes I can be with them while they pass. And then there is the unexpected freak accident/incident that smacks you in the face. That was Remy’s death. He was not sick or even injured.

The morning started as every other one. I cleaned the stalls, fed everyone and checked on everyone’s well-being. All good. 2 hours later I came back and he was lifeless. Just that quick. His buddy Leo was pacing next to him and seemed very confused. Of course the noise that came out of me only made him worse.

When we have an unexplained death we take the animal for a necropsy (animal autopsy). If nothing else, I want to learn from his death. What happened? Could it have been prevented? Is the rest of the herd in danger? WHAT DID I MISS! The answer was not what I expected. The most likely cause of death…anaphylactic shock from a bee sting. Yes, a tiny BEE killed my boy. What are the odds? I don’t even know what do say about that. Except…he will certainly be missed. R.I.P. Remy