Just a thought for you sweet people who answer 911 calls
Apr 8, 2014 13:11:43 GMT -5
goatlady, dinee, and 2 more like this
Post by zephyrhillsusan on Apr 8, 2014 13:11:43 GMT -5
I've been noticing that some of the same subjects keep coming up, especially on 911. You have some stickies posted on certain threads, and I was just wondering if there might be a way for someone to do a couple on the 911 thread to save all of you experienced people from having to answer the same questions over and over. You do it so kindly, but I'm sure it takes a lot of your time. You do have the one sticky on Ketosis and MF (by the way, I'd recommend you change that to Milk Fever because not everyone who's searching knows what MF is), which is great. I'm thinking right now of all the calf crises. I know some users aren't good at searching, and it's not always easy to do a search and find help, especially when you're in crisis mode. But if there was a sticky on, oh I don't know, "Sick Calf Protocol" or something, maybe some people would check there before posting something that needs a response.
I'm not sure if one sticky could cover all crises, but maybe you could do something like this (and please forgive me, I'm so new to it all that this is just a "sketch.")
Sick Calf Protocol
1) Observe
2) Check & measure
3) FIRST CALL THE VET with above info! A sick calf can go down quick!
4) Treat
I'm sure there's tons more that could be added--and maybe it's too much for one thread--but it seems like something like this might get people started on a logical checklist kind of like you all probably do automatically, mentally when you see a calf down. Then if they need more help they could come post on 911 and say, "I did all the steps in the Sick Calf Protocol, but such and such didn't seem to help, what do I do next?"
I also realize this would be quite a bit of work to put together, but if someone had the inclination it might end up saving all of you a lot of time in the end! I wish I knew enough to do it, but I don't. Now you'll see what my poor DH has to live with: I'm great at thinking up things that someone else has to do!
Anyway, for what it's worth, just thought I'd pass it on.
I'm not sure if one sticky could cover all crises, but maybe you could do something like this (and please forgive me, I'm so new to it all that this is just a "sketch.")
Sick Calf Protocol
1) Observe
- General appearance (such as droopiness), activity level, how it's laying (upright or flat out), can it get up?
- Eating and drinking? Bottle fed - correct amount, correct temp listed. Nursing - check cow's quarters to see if one is deflated or teat is slimy when wiped with wet finger
- Pooping and peeing? Scouring? Constipated? Etc.
- Heart rate
- Respiratory rate, labored breathing, coughing
- Anything else I don't know enough to put down!
2) Check & measure
- Check temp - you could give the suggestions here like use a human digital thermometer, tape it to a stick, feel behind the ears, etc.
- Did it get BoSe?
- Did it get colostrum?
- Anything else I don't know enough to put down!
3) FIRST CALL THE VET with above info! A sick calf can go down quick!
4) Treat
- For scouring - Give electrolytes in between bottles, etc.
- For floppy calf - BoSe injection in case of white muscle disease
- Fever - etc.
- Chills or cold calf - Bring in house or make calf blanket from old sweatshirt
- Unable to suck bottle or teat - keep head upright, try to get calf on feet, etc.
- Labored breathing & cough - Nufluor or whatever else with recommended dose (I've been reading, I just don't have it all down yet!)
- Anything else I don't know enough to put down!
I'm sure there's tons more that could be added--and maybe it's too much for one thread--but it seems like something like this might get people started on a logical checklist kind of like you all probably do automatically, mentally when you see a calf down. Then if they need more help they could come post on 911 and say, "I did all the steps in the Sick Calf Protocol, but such and such didn't seem to help, what do I do next?"
I also realize this would be quite a bit of work to put together, but if someone had the inclination it might end up saving all of you a lot of time in the end! I wish I knew enough to do it, but I don't. Now you'll see what my poor DH has to live with: I'm great at thinking up things that someone else has to do!
Anyway, for what it's worth, just thought I'd pass it on.
