If you are at all squeamish, do not proceed!
I never fails that things go wrong when the Ranch Hand is away protecting people from the financial ruins of cancer. Luckily today he was here when a first calf heifer had a prolapsed uterus. That's when the uterus comes out of the cow after the calf is born. It is not very common, but does happen. It is usually caused from severe straining during calving. Since we've never dealt with it before we called the vet.
After a couple unsuccessful tries we had to get the tractor to lift her hind legs up so the vet could get it back inside.
Then he sewed her up so as to keep the uterus from falling out. POOR POOR THING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Then we got her up into sitting position she could get her wits about her and take an IV.
IV with Calcium, Magnesium, Phosphorus and Potassium, and another one with glucose.
Without help the cow and calf would never have survived. Making a difference in the world, that's what ranchers do every day.
Did I mention in the middle of this we had to pull a different calf? They were doing fine in the barn. Just another day on the Orton Ranch!
Sugar, huh? How interesting. We'll have to try that next time. Glad Daniel was there to help.
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