Another rather unexpected problem here at the ranch — vampire bats!
Every year, the ranch has quite a few lambs that require bottle-feeding, and apparently the vampire bats are part of the reason. They make a small cut in the ewe’s skin and lap up the blood. Their saliva contains an anticoagulant, so the wound can continue bleeding after they’ve finished their midnight snack.
Repeated bites, particularly around the udder and teats, can cause blood loss, anaemia, pain and reduced milk production. Making it too painful for the lambs to suckle. Interestingly, this wasn’t Pancho’s problem. His hair loss and condition are due to a mineral deficiency.
A little fact**:** Vampire bats are the only bats that feed exclusively on blood, and their remarkable anticoagulant saliva has even been studied for possible medical uses.