downed cow-pnemonia suspected-waiting

[savinggrace]

Hi,

Rebecca had an accident a little over a week ago-a gate blocking the stalls from the antiquated milking parlor area of our barn fell down somehow and she managed to get herself stuck in a feeding (people) aisle behind the stantions. She was there for probably about a day-we discovered her and promptly cut the section out so she could be rescued. She suffered a great number of scrapes, cuts ect. as she was wedged at the end of the aisle next to an ancient manure conveyor.

She managed to move into the stalls aisle, was eating and drinking well, on antibiotics, and preventative mastitis treatment, electrolytes and just hay, we were hand feeding and bringing her at least 20 gal. of water every day-the vet didn't seem too concerned as she was eating, drinking, treated with antibiotics and was attempting to get up every day.

Well yesterday she took a real turn for the worse. She's not drinking, and her eyes are sunken in so far-she's also breathing heavy-the neighbor and I both suspect pnemonia.

At this point-I just want her comfortable and we are waiting for the vet to get back to us-she's getting worse and I want her to have a peaceful ending....as I said we are waiting for the vet and I don't know what I can do to ease pain until he gets here? About all I have around here is powdered asprin.

I feel so helpless......waiting.....

[momanto]

Prayers Sent For A Miracle.......dont Give Up!

Mom

[Teacupliz]

did you take her temp. can you drench her- give her yogurt?
Prayers from here too. when will the vet come?
liz

[wildhorse]

Get some molasses down her.

[savinggrace]

Thank you.
He arrives about 7am.

I'm trying not to give up hope completely, but she's in such a bad state. Actually at this point I am just blaming myself. Which I know isn't productive!

Like-this might have been avoided if I would have found her right away.
If I would have been able to get her outside she might have not gotten this bad
If I had known she needed 30 gal of water per day when I was only giving her 15 or 20gal per day (i'm pregnant and carrying water is getting hard)
If I would have called the vet the day we found her instead of seeing how it played out for 2 days
If I would have made sure the gate seperating the milking area from the stalls was secured better
If I wouldn't have even bought her in the first place

And the thought just occured to me-maybe we could have tranqualized her, gotten her onto a gate wrapped with a tarp we could have dragged her outside days ago!!!! And she might have been up by now.

[Teacupliz]

hey don't blame yourself- I do the same thing. farm life can be so hard- more to love more to loss... We all just do the bet we can..

Hugs-- take care of that baby you are carring-Liz in NY

[savinggrace]

Well. Good Cows go to Heaven right?

Really though, this cow had the live most dairy cows dream of. She was born 7 yrs ago on a breed specific farm, treated kindly her entire life; although she has been prone to accidents! Two or three years ago she managed to tear one of her teats straight through, and ironically, on the day I first saw her and put money down on her she went outside during my visit, and before I left came back in with a scraped up leg!

The vet assured us we did all we could given the circumstances, now to figure out what to do with 1400 lbs of euthanized meat......

[floramum]

Sorry She Didnt Make It. Cows Dont Have To Wear Any Clothes To Hide Any Sin. They Go Around As God Made Them. Some people Have Seen Visions Of Their Dog In Heaven.....

mum

[Teacupliz]

sorry for your loss- Liz in NY

[Up North]

Melissa - Sorry about the turn of events.
Call a rendering company for prompt disposal. Yellowpages, feed mill employees, vet's office, or your nearest Livestock auction Barn should be able to give you a phone number.

[savinggrace]

Thanks!

We have someone coming out this afternoon and the neighbor is bringing equipment over to help get her out of the barn. Fortunately the weather is cool (60's) vs. 85 like it was last week!