I had talked with the vet two different times about Laverne after she was born. By the way I described things to him he thought that she might have a broken leg….or nerve damage. The last time I posted about her she was only about 2 days old. She wasn’t able to get up and move around much. She would stand for only about 3 or 4 minutes at a time….and was wobbly at best. I noticed she had passed some blood one morning….that really worried me.
I tried to check on her every couple of hours. I worried about her getting too hot, because she couldn’t get in and out of the shade on her own. The closest shade is near the creek and I was afraid she would hobble too close and fall in. She was already falling into ant hills every time I turned around. On one occasion I went to peek in on her and she was laying right in a BIG ant hill. There were ants everywhere on her. They were all in her mouth too. I took the hose and carefully washed them off her. They were those big ole red ants. I know they hurt because a few stung me while I was trying to get them off of her. Poor baby.
I felt so bad for her. I called the vet back and asked for him to swing by and look at her whenever he had a chance. I didn’t want her suffering needlessly. I didn’t know if there was more wrong with her than the leg or not. Just like with the ants…she was going to end up in a bad situation if she wasn’t going to get better relatively quick. I can only be there to protect her so much. I tried to brace myself for bad news.
That afternoon he came by the farm to look at her. Immediately when he saw her he said…Wow…she’s a beautiful little calf. That made me smile. I felt like a proud parent. He looked in her mouth and there was some swelling from the ants. He gave her the once over like doctors do. The blood could have been a few things, but she only had it twice that morning. He told me what it could have been and to keep my eye out to see if it continued. Actually she was in pretty good shape. However, she did have a broken leg. I believe he said it was a broken femur. He said her Mom might have stepped on her after delivery or she may have kicked her. It is too high too cast. As long as she is eating good and going to the bathroom alright, then she should make it through this. Especially if we were willing to bottle feed her. It takes about 6 weeks to heal. She may walk with a limp but then again she may not. All in all, she is going to be alright. He advised us on how to wrap her leg better with the ace bandage….for support and to reduce swelling.
The day after her appointment she began to move around more. When I went to feed her that next morning, she was under a big shade tree. She had walked a pretty far distance. I was surprised, but relieved. Then I started worrying…now that she could actually move from place to place that could be good and bad. I had to decide not to worry about all the “what if’s” and embrace her way of taking care of herself. She had figured out how to get out of the hot sun so she wouldn’t over heat….so I had to let her use her instincts.
Each day she seems to be getting stronger and stronger. Shirley, Laverne’s twin sister is moving around the pasture a good bit with her Mama. I hate that Laverne can’t stay with the herd, they offer a lot of company and protection. Even though her leg is bummed up she still has the mind of a playful calf. She still wants to run, frolic and leap around….yes, even with a broken leg.
Saturday Billy went with me to feed her. I had him take this short clip so you could see how she is getting around. Even if I stand still, she wants to play….so I give her a few minutes play each day and then she is ready to lay down and rest.
Oh…and pardon the way I am dressed…that is my get up and go to pasture look. Thankfully Laverne and the rest of the herd don’t seem to mind a bit.
Twice now Tug has come over and checked her out. The others are too skittish, maybe they will all be close one day soon.
Cupid, Laverne’s mom still shows some interest in her, but I’m not sure she will take her in as far as nursing goes.
I hope in another week or so Laverne will be able to keep up with the herd.
She is a strong and determined little girl.
I’m very proud of the progress she has made thus far and can’t wait for her to be totally well.
I've Gone Country 