Sentry, Baymule’s Livestock Guard Dog

[Branching Out]

I've heard of nutria, but never seen them in person. They are R.O.U.S's. right? Rodents of unusual size?

 

[baymule]

Nutria look a lot like a beaver, but with a rat like tail. I thought at first Sentry had a beaver until I saw the tail.

 

[ducks4you]

GOOD JOB SENTRY!!!

 

[Rhodie Ranch]

Nutria are an invasive species, introduced into the US in about 1930ish.

 

[Carol Dee]

Nutria look a lot like a beaver, but with a rat like tail. I thought at first Sentry had a beaver until I saw the tail.

Are the same as what we call muskrats?

 

[Marie2020]

Oh Sentry! It’s been raining all day. This on top of the floods of the Trinity River and the San Jancinto River only 10 days ago, displacing people and destroying their homes and vehicles. I’ve been in the kitchen, came to look out the window at the rain.

Buford and Sentry had “something” up front by the driveway. Sheba, across the driveway in the front field, was up on the fence, barking and jumping up and down. Definitely not a turtle, she could care less about a turtle. I suited up against the rain and walked down the driveway. Something big and blackish looking. Went back to the house for my phone, to get pictures of Sentry and his prize.

Buford met me at the gate, Sentry saw me and came running.
“What’cha got? Show me! What’cha got? “

Sentry and Buford ran ahead, stopping to look back and see that I was following. Sentry ran ahead to keep Buford from claiming his prize.

Note Carson at the fence.


View attachment 65847

Sheba, across the driveway in the front field.

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Growling softly at Buford

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It’s a nutria! A small male

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Nope! You can have it.

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What on earth is it

Edited
I read that they live near River, and that they can spread waterborne diseases.
If I was there I would be making that dog have something to make sure he's not ill. But that's just me

 

[Carol Dee]

Just answered my own question!
https://www.bing.com/images/search?q=nutria+vs+muskrat&id=5D2ADAC29447C9357C0B3FCD63879AB3E13CB8A1

Nutrias and muskrats are both semiaquatic rodents that occupy the same wetland habitats1. However, there are some differences between them12:

• Nutrias are larger and more robust than muskrats.
• Nutrias have a longer lifespan and higher intelligence compared to muskrats.
• Nutrias are more social, forming family groups, while muskrats are generally solitary.
• Nutrias can tolerate human presence, potentially approaching for food, while muskrats are shyer.
• Muskrats are smaller and more tolerant of cold climates.
• Muskrats have a laterally flattened tail it uses to assist in swimming, whereas the tail of a nutria is round.

Learn more:

 

[Marie2020]

Just answered my own question!
https://www.bing.com/images/search?q=nutria+vs+muskrat&id=5D2ADAC29447C9357C0B3FCD63879AB3E13CB8A1

Nutrias and muskrats are both semiaquatic rodents that occupy the same wetland habitats1. However, there are some differences between them12:

• Nutrias are larger and more robust than muskrats.
• Nutrias have a longer lifespan and higher intelligence compared to muskrats.
• Nutrias are more social, forming family groups, while muskrats are generally solitary.
• Nutrias can tolerate human presence, potentially approaching for food, while muskrats are shyer.
• Muskrats are smaller and more tolerant of cold climates.
• Muskrats have a laterally flattened tail it uses to assist in swimming, whereas the tail of a nutria is round.

Learn more:

Thanks Carol

 

[baymule]

They strip a marsh of the aquatic plants and grasses, food that other species depend upon. Nuisance invaders!

 

[baymule]

Just got back from vet with Sentry. He had a torn skin wound this morning 45 minutes after I let them out. It is on his right hind leg. I think he and Buford got into a fight. Sentry was stress panting, in shock, wouldn't let me touch it. Called vet, loaded him up and they worked us in. Stitches, shots, medicine to take home, $387 and he's in a dog crate in living room. Carson is hiding behind my recliner.

Sentry weighed 90 pounds at the vet clinic. He is my smallest dog. He is the meanest, the Alpha male.

I’ll keep him in several days to maybe a week, then put him in a small pen. I think it’s time to separate him and Buford. I walked the field to search for any dead animal in case something took a swipe at Sentry, but didn’t find anything. No buzzards circling, so I think it’s Buford finally fighting back. Sentry trashes Buford pretty hard sometimes and I’m guessing that Buford stood up for himself. Buford just turned 2 years, Anatolian males are known to not be friendly with each other. With Sentry being out of the field for a week, going back in with a bum leg, he’d make an easier target. Time to break up the party.

It wasn’t a terrible wound, but still painful and pretty good rip. I sure wasn’t going to wait around for it to get infected and worse.

All stitched up! Vet put stitches on the inside.