I’m still worried about ‘Ster.  He is not himself.

He’s finished his course of antibiotics and doesn’t smell of wee anymore, which is good.  But his back end is hunched up and he is walking stiffly which could be an indication of kidney stones (urolithiasis) discomfort.

I am giving him huge bowls of soaked sugar beet to up his fluid intake and have spoken to the vet.

A sheep friend suggested giving him ammonium chloride, which will lower the pH of his urine, making it more acidic, which helps dissolve the stone’s components.

To the best of my knowledge (and searching), there is no ammonium chloride on the island so sheep-friend suggested a recipe of red onion, garlic, lemon juice and vinegar – boiled until everything is mush and strained which apparently creates ammonium chloride.

I syringed the liquid down ‘Ster this morning, much to his total disgust but he was a good boy about it and then went out with his friends for the rest of the day, which was an improvement on his recent withdrawn behaviour.

I also gave him some painkillers too.

We will continue with this regimen and I will also order the real ammonium chloride off Amazon. I have also bought a bag of lamb creep (feed for lambs), which has ammonium chloride as standard and everyone will start eating that daily.

As long as I can keep ‘Ster eating, drinking and chewing his cud, then hopefully the potion will nuke the stones and make him more comfortable.

Poor ‘Ster.  On a plus, he still likes his hugs and is stealing chicken food!