Lost the tiny heifer today

[Callieslamb]

I was a long shot at best, but after a week, we lost our little 20 lb heifer today. She was a bit slow on her milk this morning, so I fed her electrolytes for lunch. But at supper she couldn't drink. 1 hour later she is gone. She didn't appear to have scours. We think perhaps her internal organs weren't right. She had a terrible time trying to urinate or manure either one.

I hate to say it, but she wasn't worth a call to the vet. Still kind of broke my heart. She was a sweet thing and tried her best. One of the sad experiences of raising your own.

[cathleenc]

I am sad and sorry too! glad that she had the best while she was here.

[Callieslamb]

Well, we tried. I can't believe how fast she went. But that's what people here say happens. thanks!

[Levonsa]

I am sorry that you lost your little girl.

[r93000]

Well, crumb! I'm sorry to hear about that

[Callieslamb]

Thanks all. It is our first death. I took her out and buried her early this morning just as the sun was rising.

We will try again - in a while.

[topside1]

Any idea why it died? Best guess? Take a break and try again...Knowledge is power in all categories...

[genebo]

That's a shame. It's the worst part about working with animals.

I planted a solid stand of Crimson clover on my favorite goat's grave. It should be pretty come summer. All her herd friends can stop by for a visit and a snack.

Genebo
Paradise Farm

[ozark_jewels]

Aw, thats too bad. We also had a tiny, tiny calf for no apparent reason about 10 years ago. He was a bull. He never did function properly and died at about two days old. I doubt there was anything you could have done.

[Callieslamb]

We really saw no sign of scours. We think her plumbing just wasn't right. When she peed- she bawled and it barely came out. Her poop looked more like small dog leavings. She might have gotten cold, though she had the warmest stall in the barn and lots of straw to lay in. No coughing, sneezing, mucus from nose. Eyes bright and ears up until lunch time yesterday. She was very tiny. We weighed her at 18 lbs. She had no reserves for any illness. I wish I had given her oral antibiotics when I saw she was drinking more slowly. Instead, I fed her only electrolytes - packaged form.

We will try again. The bull is doing great - he is about to become a steer.

If I had paid more for her, I think I would have a necropsy (SP?) done so I would know why/what.