Fever!

Emma didn't seem to be her normal self this afternoon so I took her temp and it was 106!!!  I called the vet and I gave her a dose of banamine to bring the fever down.  By the time vet got here this evening, her temp was normal and she seemed to be acting better.  We couldn't figure out what the problem is but the vet drew blood for tests and will hopefully have an answer for me first thing in the morning.  In the mean time I have to control the temp with the banamine and keep things quiet for her. 

One of the scariest aspects of this is how subtle the signs of illness were this afternoon.  Donkeys are notoriously stoic.  They don't show pain or illness unless it is very serious and by then it could be too late to treat them.  I don't think I appreciated the absolute truth of this until today.  A horse with a fever of 103 will appear noticeably ill at a single glance.  Emma seemed just a little off and it is only because I have gotten to know her so well that I saw the problem, I doubt anyone else would have noticed.   

I am hoping that this is just a viral fluke and Emma will be fully recovered in a couple of days.  I can't bring myself to even write about the alternatives so that is what I am going with for now.  A weird virus that will pass in a day or two.  Send good thoughts our way, we may need them.