What could this be?

[Cashs Cowgirl]

Runny nose, sort of crusty at times. Lump on nose about the width of a quarter with a rise of about 1/2 inch, near right eye. Breathing a little abnormal, but better now. Appetite not up to par. Mouth doesn't smell off. Loosing condition. Resting a good bit. Fever last week. Was on a round of antibiotics...didn't seem to help. Does not seem to be contaigous as none of the other sheep have the symptoms. This has been almost two weeks going now. Vet hasn't a clue

Will post pics tomorrow

[bergere]

Did the Vet do a culture on the lump?

[Cashs Cowgirl]

I should have stated that the lump was lanced and nothing but a little spot of blood came out. Its fairly hard almost boney like. Odd for sure.

[Bearfootfarm]

Vet hasn't a clue

Its fairly hard almost boney like

I'd think a cyst from an injury, but that wouldn't explain losing weight

[Ross]

What's its worming and vaccination history? Agree with an cyst from an old injury or a thorn tip etc. Breed, age, open or covered, and recent feeding history sometimes helps too.

[Cashs Cowgirl]

Gulf Coast Native ram, around 2 1/2 yrs old, fully vaccinated, wormed last month, not wormed frequently as GCN have a resistance to worms. We worm as needed. He does not butt heads with any of my females, he was in a pen with very few ways to injure himself. A thorn could be possible, but I would think his mouth would smell off if there was something going on inside.

Went off eating well a couple of weeks ago. It comes and goes. Not eating much hay though. Pics in the morning. friend borrowed the camera.

[bergere]

I have never dealt with this kind of issue before. Hope the Vet can figure it out for you.

Have you checked out Sheep 101? If you read through this, a symptom might show up and then you can ask the Vet to do a little research on it.

http://www.sheep101.info/201/diseasesa-z.html

[Cashs Cowgirl]

Yep, checked that site first and emailed the person over it. I'm corresponding with them now.

[bergere]

I hope they can help! And let us know what you learn.

[eieiomom]

It sure wouldn't hurt to give Pipestone vets a call and run symptoms by them, they can be very helpful and are ovine knowledgeable

http://www.pipevet.com/contactus

Hope this helps,

Deb

[Ross]

Well he has a breathing issue and a fever the antibiotics (which?) didn't work so I'd try a different type.

[Cashs Cowgirl]

Here are the pics. No fever since last week after I started antibiotics. I checked today and still no fever. I meant that it didn't seem to clear up his nose, but after looking over my notes, there has been less nostril discharged and his breathing is much better unless he starts trying to do too much. As of today, there is only some matter coming out of the one nostril with the lump on that side. Sometimes it's clear like a runny nose and sometimes it's crusted up like you will see one of the pics.

He was grazing today, ate most of his grain yesterday and some today. Called to me a few times which is a change from the way he's been acting.

Tried to open the lump a little and see if anything came of it. Still nothing but fresh blood.

Plan on taking him to the vet tomorrow.

[eieiomom]

Poor guy, I was thinking that you were describing a lump or an abscess that may have been a result of a thorn or something external or a foreign matter. After seeing the picture it looks more like a growth. Of course, one cannot really tell with just a photo without palpating the growth, has your vet done a biopsy yet ?
Is he housed with any other rams ?

Do you have any access to any University Vet school ?
I would wonder if he has a tumor/growth either on a bone or related to his sinus cavity ?

What antibiotics has he been on and has a vet swabbed his sinuses to see if there is and what bacteria may be in his nasal passages ? I would think this would be something that should be done.

Again, I'd also suggest calling Pipestone and sending them a picture.

Please let us know any updates,

Deb

[Cashs Cowgirl]

I'm taking him to the vet tomorrow. No swabs as we thought it was a small abcess at first along with an infection thus Penicillin was given. The infection that he seemed to have is gone, but this thing is not getting smaller. No other rams. It was just him and his 10 'girls'. Trust me when I say there is not much to palpate. I've tried.

Yes I have a university hospital (LSU), but ironically as a teaching hospital, they are more expensive than a local veterinarian...and honestly, after what they did to my horse, I'd rather not...

I did just finish emailing the four different vets at Pipestone in the sheep department. We shall see what they say.

[Jcran]

Maybe a growth in the sinus cavity; pressure on the bone would sure hurt as it grew outward. Hopefully its a granuloma and is just encysting something that got stuck up in there; friend of ours had a child with recurring horrible sinus infections. They found a growth about 4 years after the onset and finally did an MRI; thought it was cancer. Went in and removed the growth. When they dissected it, they found a "Made in China" sticker in the middle of it. He'd stuck something up his nose as a toddler and the sticker off of it had stayed in there, lol. Boy, did he spend the rest of his childhood getting teased by his siblings about his origins..."huh, you were made in China, eh" and that kind of ribbing. How is your ram doing today?

[Cashs Cowgirl]

He's out grazing and enjoying the sunshine. His nose is not running right now and he's acting much better. I contacted Pipestone and Dr.Kennedy emailed me back about what to do with him. He feels it's an abcess in the nasal cavity that is trying to bust. He instructed administration of some heavy antibiotics for a few days. If by the weekend he hasn't improved to take him to my local vet and have them delve further.

[eieiomom]

Glad you got in touch with Dr. Kennedy, he can be very helpful and has lot's of experience with sheep.
What antibiotic did he suggest ?

Years ago, I had an older Lincoln ram who acted fine but had constant nasal drainage that would be clear one day, then discolored discharge. I tried several antibiotics after ruling out nose bots. There was no external swelling like in your picture. When all failed, the vet did a swab and we treated him with a combination of meds specific to the bacteria showing up. Although he would clear up briefly, he eventually worsened without any improvement. The vet was sure he had a tumor deep in his sinuses, although I didn't have the money to spend on x-rays.

I hope your guy gets better soon, it sounds like you are trying to do all you can.

~Deb

[Cashs Cowgirl]

He suggested I do a higher dose of penicillin for a few days subQ. He wants me to try this and see if it gets smaller or busts. If not then I'll take Sawyer to the vet for xrays.

So we shall see.

Poor boy. He is so sweet. Probably the sweetest ram ever.