Post by nina on Jun 3, 2019 17:15:58 GMT -5
My cow Annie disappeared for a couple of days after calving. She was on a rugged 60 acre pasture and hid in the one place we didn't look wherever that is. When I found them the calf had contracted front tendons but was walking ok. They were in a spot furthest away from the barn and smaller pens so I had to leave them where I found them. I was so relieved to find Annie and her calf I probably gave Annie a little more grain than I should have as Annie is a big Beefmaster in good condition. The calf's now walking much better on one leg but the other looks worse. Annie is walking slowly in a lurching fashion. It seems like both back feet hurt but it's hard to tell as she stands on all four or lifts one rear when resting. She is a heavy big cow. One side of her udder is being nursed down, the other looks like it might be tender. With an ordinary pair I'd be running them to the vet. Annie is big and I dread the thought of hauling her and her calf to the vet. Her calf is big and I don't think I can lift her and I know Annie won't be safe to be around if I have to drag her calf to the car. Annie's first calf had to be pulled, that bull calf was big and had a hyper extended leg and died after one weak breath. I want to sell Annie as soon as possible but I'd like to keep her calf if this isn't genetic. So what do think is going on? Coincidence both are limping? Metabolic from over graining? Mechanical? Genetic? The calf is a gorgeous dark red Baldie with a big chunky build minus all the extra leather her mother has. I'd like to keep her as she is a beauty. I will take the two to the vet if the risk of injury loading and travel with a crashing about idiot mom outweighs the risk of not treating them professionally. Today I parked the car next to the calf to study her and Annie leaned against the whole car with her body making me very nervous. Not sure if she was begging for more grain or showing the car who was boss.
Oh, not sure of the proper cow terminology. But Annie's cow equivalent of horse pasterns was more sloping than the other cows in her rear feet. The calf is eating very well and quite plump already. She is bright eyed with a shiny coat. The knee she is limping with might be a little swollen or it might just look that way since she keeps it bent when walking. Any ideas would greatly be appreciated. I read the recent thread about the contracted tendons and didn't want to be redundant but I believe since both are limping adding up to 4 feet two front for the calf and two rear for the cow there is something specific going on that I'm not getting. Both would look impressive if they weren't limping. SIGH
Oh, not sure of the proper cow terminology. But Annie's cow equivalent of horse pasterns was more sloping than the other cows in her rear feet. The calf is eating very well and quite plump already. She is bright eyed with a shiny coat. The knee she is limping with might be a little swollen or it might just look that way since she keeps it bent when walking. Any ideas would greatly be appreciated. I read the recent thread about the contracted tendons and didn't want to be redundant but I believe since both are limping adding up to 4 feet two front for the calf and two rear for the cow there is something specific going on that I'm not getting. Both would look impressive if they weren't limping. SIGH