|
|
Post by arlen on Jul 10, 2015 12:48:47 GMT -5
Hi All, I deleted my post earlier because it seemed to me that the thread wasn't capturing the essence of the actual situation. There was the implication by OTF that I was dragging my feet getting my cow to a vet by saying it has been "several days", and implying that I was trying to save money. Blah Blah Blah. In fact, it had only been several hours, when I posted here. I called and sent a picture to the vet immediately, and made an appointment the next day, even though the vet said it wasn't urgent. Then there was the talk of culling all of her offspring....WTF? She is 12 years old, had 10 calves without any problems. Jesus, talk about firing to the moon... Well, anyway, it was an abscess, probably from a wound when she had her calf, or possibly an insect bite. The vet drained it, gave her an antibiotic shot, and sent us on our way. He said it was about 2 inches in diameter right at the mouth of her vagina. He said she will be as good as new in a few days. I'm reposting the picture to hopefully get this thread off to a different start. I'll post another picture as the swelling goes down. I am very, very, happy that grandma will be OK. For once, it was the best case scenario.  |
|
|
|
Post by otf on Jul 10, 2015 13:14:10 GMT -5
Arlen, when I posted a second time, it was because you did not acknowledge the article or the potential seriousness of a prolapse. As I recall, you indicated that it might have been evident several days. And it's no secret that a lot of people are reluctant to pay a vet to take care of their livestock. Having worked for two large animal vets (mostly cattle clients), I learned quite a lot about what constitutes an emergency and what does not and a prolapse IS an emergency.
Sorry if my sense of urgency offended you. It won't happen again, believe me! Hope your cow heals up just fine.
Gale
|
|
|
|
Post by arlen on Jul 10, 2015 13:34:16 GMT -5
Arlen, when I posted a second time, it was because you did not acknowledge the article or the potential seriousness of a prolapse. As I recall, you indicated that it might have been evident several days. And it's no secret that a lot of people are reluctant to pay a vet to take care of their livestock. Having worked for two large animal vets (mostly cattle clients), I learned quite a lot about what constitutes an emergency and what does not and a prolapse IS an emergency. Sorry if my sense of urgency offended you. It won't happen again, believe me! Hope your cow heals up just fine. Gale I started my post out with "I just noticed this today", then my next post was, "I just sent this picture to the vet, and left him a voicemail" Then I said "she is definitely going to the vet" But you just kept at it like I was sitting on my hands. All because I didn't acknowledge an article that you linked? Even after I repeatedly said I was consulting with a vet, and was taking her. |
|
|
|
Post by cddexter on Jul 10, 2015 14:41:14 GMT -5
Arlen, you did all the right things, and in a timely manner. Glad it turned out to be an abcess only, and Grandma will be around for a long time yet. These boards get a lot of people asking questions and of course a lot of the answers reflect the lack of technical knowledge that really is required to correctly respond, especially if just from a photo. At least you didn't get the usual influx of 'oh I'll pray for you' when you aren't the one with the problem, and prayers aren't the correct solution. Well done. cheers, c.
|
|
zephyrhillsusan
member
Caught Dexteritis in Dec. 2009. Member of this forum since Oct. 2013.
Posts: 1,502 
|
Post by zephyrhillsusan on Jul 10, 2015 17:01:58 GMT -5
I'm really relieved to hear it was "just" an abscess. You sure caught it quickly--good for you! I know you'll keep after it to make sure it heals up well. Thank you for sharing this so the rest of us can learn from your experience.
|
|
|
|
Post by legendrockranch on Jul 10, 2015 20:41:30 GMT -5
So glad to hear she'll be ok.
Barb
|
|
|
|
Post by Olga on Jul 10, 2015 23:01:25 GMT -5
Good deal, glad you were able to get her in quickly to see a vet and it wasn't as serious as it could've been.
As a side note to readers, I cannot stress enough the importance of keeping in touch and using a vet for at least some routine stuff. You don't want to be a "new client" in case of an animal emergency. Many vet offices will turn away new clients asking for an emergency farm call, and sometimes even a haul-in.
|
|
|
|
Post by arlen on Jul 10, 2015 23:21:01 GMT -5
Here's a picture about 5 hours after the procedure. The swelling went down quick. You can't tell anything went on except she is cleaner than normal! You can see a small spot of blood if you look close. She is in heat now, so I'm gonna wait on turning the bull out for a few more days, so she will have a whole cycle to heal up good.  It is a good point that Olga makes about having a relationship with a vet. With 20 cows, 3 donkeys, a horse, and a few other stragglers, the vet has been to my farm 6 times already this year, and I made 1 trip to their clinic (with this cow). 2 of the 6 calls were after hour emergency calls. I like to have the main number and after hour number programmed into my cell phone. |
|
