Had a fresh cow with an LDA (left displaced abomasum) that had surgery on Monday. We'd actually suspected she had a DA back on Friday, but could not reach Doc then. Ended up taking her to the clinic Monday evening, confided that we'd brought out the stethoscope and had no idea whether or not she had a DA, but that it was possible. :lol: Doc checked real quick and handed me the stethoscope, and that time I heard the characteristic "ping". Perhaps next time I can diagnose it myself - and be certain about my diagnosis.
As usual, abomasum flipped to let the gas out, sutured down to the bottom of the abdominal wall, and cow sewed back up. Stitches come out in two weeks, and I know the after-surgery regimine now. Pennicillin, Banamine, and Vitamin B complex plus an IV of dextrose just after surgery...since she'd been off feed for a few days.
Then yesterday a cow went and aborted for no apparent reason, 180 days, twin calves. The bull calf had been aborted earlier that morning but I found the heifer moments after she'd been dumped and got a chance to look everything over very closely. Perfect little holstein calf, around the size of a Jack Russel Terrier. No hair of course, but the pigment on the skin was all there and you could see where she was black and white. No visible abnormalities, not sure what a "normal" abortion looks like as this is a once-in-a-blue-moon occurance, but both twins were perfectly formed, no decomposure either. I found it all extremely fascinating - no pictures, sorry, wish I had some though.
And I made sure I washed my hands REALLY thoroughly after handling that calf. :shock:
Anyhow, interesting week. ;-)
As usual, abomasum flipped to let the gas out, sutured down to the bottom of the abdominal wall, and cow sewed back up. Stitches come out in two weeks, and I know the after-surgery regimine now. Pennicillin, Banamine, and Vitamin B complex plus an IV of dextrose just after surgery...since she'd been off feed for a few days.
Then yesterday a cow went and aborted for no apparent reason, 180 days, twin calves. The bull calf had been aborted earlier that morning but I found the heifer moments after she'd been dumped and got a chance to look everything over very closely. Perfect little holstein calf, around the size of a Jack Russel Terrier. No hair of course, but the pigment on the skin was all there and you could see where she was black and white. No visible abnormalities, not sure what a "normal" abortion looks like as this is a once-in-a-blue-moon occurance, but both twins were perfectly formed, no decomposure either. I found it all extremely fascinating - no pictures, sorry, wish I had some though.
And I made sure I washed my hands REALLY thoroughly after handling that calf. :shock:
Anyhow, interesting week. ;-)