Any ideas to get a down cow up

[M.Magis]

Went to feed the 4H steer and found my sons 3 year old cow laying in a odd place between a feeder and gate. Looked fine, but it was strange she didn't get up when I scooped feed. Turns out she her feet were slightly elevate and she couldn't get herself up. I got her free, then rolled her over so her feet were lower. She's tried several times to get her feet under her, but just can't lift herself. Really can't even lift her head, but she did eat some feed and even drank some water when I put it where she could lay her head in it. Right now I have her head and neck propped up with a square bale. Lot of diarrhea and burping so far. She's in a small barn where I can't get a loader even if I had a lift. And ideas other than time and hope?

 

[4hfarms]

Atv winch and a strap?

 

[NIdahoShorthorns]

Get her up fast or she'll die. I've seen this before, they get stuck down and bloat. I've used a tractor and pallet forks. If you have enough man power you can use ropes or straps and lift her. But get her up ASAP and make her move.

A come along attached to a rafter. Anything the will get you some leverage.

 

[M.Magis]

She's now got her feet under her and is finally able to hold her head up, pretty much looks like she's laying normal now. Drank 5-6 gallons of water. The post and gate in front of her aren't helping matters. I'm going to gather some straps and maybe a come a long, see what I can accomplish.

 

[Dave]

If she is trying to get up lifting on the tail can help. Helps if it is a strong man lifting. We use hip lifts and a loader tractor. Block and tackle to something over head. Remember cows get the back end up first so that is what you want to lift.

 

[NIdahoShorthorns]

I'd stop giving any food or water until she's up, not sure if that's right though. And when you get here up keep her moving for a while. Make sure she's still passing solids through her digestive track. Similar to a horse colicing.

Is there a dog she doesn't like? Might prompt her to stand.

 

[M.Magis]

She's about as tame as a dog, nothing bothers her. Went back down and she had moved herself several feet forward. But now her head is behind the tractor wheel and under the loader frame. Going to try and see if I can pull her backwards. I hate to move her much now that she has her feet under her, but I don't think she can get up where she is.

 

[Lucky]

Have you tried holding a plastic bag over her nose and mouth. Sugar water will get them up too. Saw a video of a show heifer that wouldn't get up and a guy bit her on the tail, she jumped right up.

 

[M.Magis]

After all the shyt she blew out, I ain't biting that tail. LOL
Ran into the feed store trying to beg borrow or steal a hip lift, no luck locating one so far
Managed to get her out from under the tractor, broke several straps in the process. I think getting her head under the tractor made her worse now than before. She seems exhausted, though she's still trying to get up every few minutes. And she's still keeping her legs under her and her head somewhat up, gave her another small drink and some feed hoping to get her some energy. She's in a position she can stand, she just needs energy. We're letting her rest a bit, I'll giver her some sugar water here in a bit.

 

[Dave]

I have seen the plastic bag trick work in person. it does really work. I forgot about it or I would have mentioned it sooner.

 

[Lucky]

No joking here but my neighbor picked one up with hip huggers every day after work for about 3 weeks. I could see his tractor lights across the pasture every night. He'd drink a few beers until she got tired of standing. She finally got better. I've never had that luck. Good luck with her, hip huggers are good to have.

 

[NIdahoShorthorns]

She doesn't need energy she needs to get up and have and get her digestive track running. Just because she pooped doesn't mean it is. That's probably yesterdays feed.

 

[TCRanch]

I have seen the plastic bag trick work in person. it does really work. I forgot about it or I would have mentioned it sooner.

I've done the plastic bag trick. Except it was a bull that went down at the vets after his BSE (exhausted or spent?) and I used one of my vets OB sleeves. Also used it on one of my best friends' cows when she went down in the chute.

 

[TCRanch]

Little more info on the cow, please. Has she calved recently? Or been with a bull? If she was in a position where she was almost bloated, it may take time. BLV is another potential reason a cow goes down. Milk fever? Is her temp normal?

I personally have never had luck with the hip lifts. And sometimes they do more harm than good. But I agree that getting her up will/should help if it's not a spinal injury. Sometimes a shot of Dex (if she's not bred) or Banamine/Banamine Transdermal will help.

 

[M.Magis]

No calf, hasn't been with the bull for several months. She's my youngest sons first 4H calf, a bottle baby he raised so she's tame as a puppy. She really looked fine where she was, but had obviously been there a long time. I'm worried she was there too long to come back around. We got her up enough to get her feet under her, but so far have no means to keep her rear up. Not sure she has the energy either way.

 

[TCRanch]

No calf, hasn't been with the bull for several months. She's my youngest sons first 4H calf, a bottle baby he raised so she's tame as a puppy. She really looked fine where she was, but had obviously been there a long time. I'm worried she was there too long to come back around. We got her up enough to get her feet under her, but so far have no means to keep her rear up. Not sure she has the energy either way.

Getting her feet under her will help. If she starts to splay or frog leg, that isn't a good sign. Given her location, I don't have any other ideas how to get her up unless its manual, brute force mentioned in another reply.

So, rule out a breeding injury or milk fever. She's young for BLV symptoms so most likely just cast for too long. As far as energy, I've tried molasses and even a caffeinated energy drink with mixed results. Did it work or was she just ready to get up? I would still try Dex and something like Banamine for pain/swelling.

Injuries like this suck!!! Sometimes all it takes it time, patience and a lot of TLC. And the will of the cow to live. I've had heifers down after calving and they've all recovered within a relatively short amount of time (so far, knock wood). Not so much with a down cow from bloat, breeding injury or no apparent reason with a vet's diagnosis. Wishing you the best of luck!!!

 

[Travlr]

No calf, hasn't been with the bull for several months. She's my youngest sons first 4H calf, a bottle baby he raised so she's tame as a puppy. She really looked fine where she was, but had obviously been there a long time. I'm worried she was there too long to come back around. We got her up enough to get her feet under her, but so far have no means to keep her rear up. Not sure she has the energy either way.

How big is she? If you have a good canvas... and I mean a GOOD canvas... you can lay it down and roll her onto it, and then pull the canvas with her on it so she's where you can manage her.

 

[M.Magis]

How big is she? If you have a good canvas... and I mean a GOOD canvas... you can lay it down and roll her onto it, and then pull the canvas with her on it so she's where you can manage her.

She's not small, probably 1400 lbs give or take. She ended up in a terrible spot, we can't roll her either way. But she has room in front and behind her if she does manage to get up. She still tries quite a bit, but just can't lift herself right now. Not super hopeful, but we'll keep trying as long as she does.

 

[Travlr]

She's not small, probably 1400 lbs give or take. She ended up in a terrible spot, we can't roll her either way. But she has room in front and behind her if she does manage to get up. She still tries quite a bit, but just can't lift herself right now. Not super hopeful, but we'll keep trying as long as she does.

Then move something. Take out whatever is in your way to treat your damn cow. Cut a hole in the barn and repair it later.

 

[gcreekrch]

We've had cows get in compromising positions several times and have been down several days to a couple weeks. Keep them dry, fed and watered and they very nearly always will stand up again. Too much excitement about getting them up is only messing with nature's healing. Keep her from getting on her back again and give her time.