Post by sawnut on Jun 24, 2017 2:31:18 GMT -5
Well, I hardly can type after coming in from evening chores. My dear Maybelle, a mid sized purebred Jersey passed away in my arms tonight. She had been her usual self all day, but being the scamp she is, decided to escape into a pen with some other cows earlier in the day. I went to get her so she could feed her calf and she got right up out of her bed and walked with me up to the house where we had feed. She stuck her head in the bucked, began to eat and suddenly dropped to her knees. At first I was puzzled and thought her halter rope had caught under her feet, but quickly realized she wasn't wearing a halter. She attempted to right herself and fell down and laid with her legs under her as if she were going to bed. In a panic, I tried to decide what to while family came from the house to see what the commotion was. I held her head in my arms so she wouldn't thrash about. She was in a lot of pain based on her brief moans. She took a several short breaths and faded away. I previously was rubbing her neck to comfort her and at the same time look for a pulse to reassure myself she would be okay. In less than 90 seconds she went from being completely normal to quiet and peaceful. I looked for signs of milk fever, but she had none. Even while she was passing, her eyes were soft and without fear. She had no strength to resist me holding her head. I am supposing she had a heart attack, but at the moment, I am stunned and dumbfounded.
Heartbroken, we loaded her in the tractor bucket and moved to a safe place until I can care for her tomorrow in daylight. As much as I would like to hire a necropsy, I can not afford one at this time. We are making hay for winter and with fuel and equipment repairs along with spring calving I am stretched pretty thin. I'm not sure I could do it, but I might have a go at a DIY examination. Would anyone have any advice on what to look for? I couldn't rule out hardware. She was in the picture of health and has had an easy life, raising her own calf and milked only occasionally. She was 3 years old this spring and just had her second calf a few weeks ago. She had no mastitis and was quite possibly my best milk component cow.
If any one can describe what I would look for in a heart attack, blood clot, stroke, etc, I may try to look on my own. It will be extremely hard for me, but I may have to do it to protect my herd in case there is something I have missed? Should I find hardware, or some evidence of congenital defect, it would make it easier for me to take. I had to go make the rounds tonight and see everyone was still alive so I could sleep. We had a deluge of rain here thru the day (another 2 inches). I don't know if that had anything to do with it or not.
No promises that I can bring myself to do a DIY necropsy, but please if anyone can guide me or direct me to a website with instructions, please do.
Going to miss this girl. Her picture the day after she calved. Thank you all!
Heartbroken, we loaded her in the tractor bucket and moved to a safe place until I can care for her tomorrow in daylight. As much as I would like to hire a necropsy, I can not afford one at this time. We are making hay for winter and with fuel and equipment repairs along with spring calving I am stretched pretty thin. I'm not sure I could do it, but I might have a go at a DIY examination. Would anyone have any advice on what to look for? I couldn't rule out hardware. She was in the picture of health and has had an easy life, raising her own calf and milked only occasionally. She was 3 years old this spring and just had her second calf a few weeks ago. She had no mastitis and was quite possibly my best milk component cow.
If any one can describe what I would look for in a heart attack, blood clot, stroke, etc, I may try to look on my own. It will be extremely hard for me, but I may have to do it to protect my herd in case there is something I have missed? Should I find hardware, or some evidence of congenital defect, it would make it easier for me to take. I had to go make the rounds tonight and see everyone was still alive so I could sleep. We had a deluge of rain here thru the day (another 2 inches). I don't know if that had anything to do with it or not.
No promises that I can bring myself to do a DIY necropsy, but please if anyone can guide me or direct me to a website with instructions, please do.
Going to miss this girl. Her picture the day after she calved. Thank you all!