So mad I could spit nails!

[wagradexters]

Jan 9, 2015 16:36:32 GMT -5 RedRidge said:

All I will say is that I no longer participate on that forum. My experience has been way too much bad advice to the point of being dangerous should someone take that advice seriously.

I went onto that forum once ages ago to say "Call the vet." Why do so many inexperienced people consider the vet to be the last resort? It's all very well to be alternative, natural and organic, etc, but only after the poor suffering animal's life has been saved and it's pain subdued. 

  

[zephyrhillsusan]

I'm often only one of many on there telling people to call a vet. Sometimes some of the experienced people get jaded and don't look at the 911 calls for awhile because they're tired of saying it. I'm still new enough to be willing to keep saying it, I guess.

In all fairness, a few of the people on there live very far from a vet (or have tried in vain to find one who does cattle). Most of them have vets that they call, but sometimes they want help while waiting because they know it's serious.  A few newbies want to know if they should call the vet.  Of course there are always the naïve ones that got a cow without much idea of its numerous unique needs.

If I'm going to be honest, I'll admit that was me 5 years ago. Luckily, Dexters are a lot less fragile than some dairy cattle, and we learned together without them being any the worse for the wear. Maybe that's why I tend to try to help people like that by saying "This needs a vet!" or "You need to give them loose minerals," or whatever.  There are always a few newbies, granted, that just don't want to spend the money or don't have it. That's when I get really bothered, bothered enough to post this on my blog: If Cows Could Talk. 

I posted that after getting upset over an owner like that.  I hate to see a poor cow suffer because the owner has no money or DH won't let her spend it.  Why on earth did they get a cow then?  They're not cats!  That's the one thing I did do from the very beginning, find a cow vet and have him come over before I needed him, in order to establish a professional relationship.  I knew that I didn't know much and that I wanted to have a vet I could call.  Unfortunately, it took me "third time's the charm" to find a REALLY good cow vet, but now we have one and two back-ups if he can't come.  I tell my single 27-year old she has to go on Farmersonly.com and find a bovine vet who wants to live in NW GA!

I love KFC.  It's a great board--apart from an occasional troll like the one I started this thread about--and I've learned a lot there.  One thing I've learned is that we made the right choice getting Dexters!  Despite what that troll said, they are great homestead cattle.

[wagradexters]

Point taken Susan, keep up the good work.

[Deleted]

I am very glad that KFC has you to defend our Dexter's. Thanks Susan. I also think some people get into cows without knowing what they are getting into. Not having the right set up, etc. I do feel bad for the animals. I have learned by trial and error myself. I had the pleasure of growing up on a small dairy farm, so kinda of knew what I was getting into. However, I was young and had my Dad and Grandpa to run things. Many times I have wished I could ask them one more question.

[Dahdo]

Jan 24, 2015 0:04:00 GMT -5 @cmorey said:

Many times I have wished I could ask them one more question.

I have that same wish every day. Those of you with living parents and grandparents take note.

[cddexter]

You are so right. My dad was born in 1886, and saw so many changes. Think of the stories I missed. I gave his 1906 Olympic medals to the museum in St. Louis. cheers, c.

[Nonesuch Farm (Melissa)]

Hi Susan, just saw this. That was some momentary weirdness... glad it's over.

And hi to the rest of my fellow Dexter lovers!

[Nonesuch Farm (Melissa)]

Ahhhh... just found page 2. KFC is a different kind of forum. It started out as a very small group of folks milking cows at home and over the years has expanded in to one of the largest proboards. It is not comprised of cattle breeders (as is this forum or Cattle Today) but rather everyone from children who own a single 4H project and homesteading/homeschooling moms with 12 kids they are trying to feed healthy right up to large beef and dairy operations are represented. There are professionals including vets and a few MDs and there are laypeople who can barely spell layperson. It's an eclectic mix but it works.

While you all may see a lot of animals with problems there that view is hugely skewed by the fact that the folks that are doing fine are not doing as much posting or are posting in the more social boards. Overall it is a place that is inviting, accepting, helpful, and educational. If you've had a bad experience there I'd wager that at least part of that is you.

Just sayin....

[zephyrhillsusan]

Hey, Nonesuch Farm (Melissa), great to see you over here again!   I can laugh about that "momentary weirdness," now that I've cooled down and stopped spitting nails.