Cow Doctoring

Part of the joy of having some cows around is tending to them when they need doctoring. White Cow has had a lump-jaw building for quite some time, and today was the day to tend to it. 

This gave us a reason to button up our maternity pen to dup as a doctoring chute.

For starters, we stuck this 14' panel in the back to make for a clean sweep with the crowding gate. It'll likely have to be altered come calving season. 

For something that gets a little pressure we made a double wrap of smooth wire to attach to the post. 

Same with the corner of the chute.

With that complete, the game plan will be to run the cows from the big corral through this gate we cut through an old alley into the small corral. 

Then move the cow we want down this opening.

Into the working tub that we reinforced with some tall panels. 

Then open the gate of the maternity pen and bring her back around.

Once she takes the right turn into the pen, we can crowd her into the head catch.

At that point we'll be able to administer 60cc of the antibiotic LA200, which is one of these syringes full. 

Being a one man band today, we wanted to set ourselves up for success. The cows have never been through this gate. On top of that is is right after a culvert in the canal that cows like to balk at. So we scattered a little hay around to entice them. 

Then saddle up ole sure foot. A good horse and a bullwhip can get a cowboy a long way. 

The herd was resting content at the far end of the pasture. 

Here's our culprit. Ole White Cow with a lump forming on the right side of her lower jaw. 

So we got behind the whole crew and got them heading south. All look heavy with young. 

Of course they had to stop at the watering hole on the way by. Best to let them tend to their likings. 

After a drink, we moved them on. With little convincing, they took our bait. 

Then moved on to the next bunch of hay. 

And eventually through the gate with little pressure. Ranch smarter, not harder. 

As we approached the big corral, we walked them through the divide fence gate. Best to make everything their decision by applying gentle pressure. 

Once through, we closed that gate and walked them back up to the open gate into the big corral, kind of like a bud box operation. 

We only need the one white cow and another for company, but this is good to bring the whole herd down so they get used to this area and come in with easy during calving season. 

That being said, Chief and I started to single out White and Red Cow to go into the small corral to be worked. 

Process of elimination.

Giddy up.

Wasting no time, we sent Mom towards our working network. 

Bing behind her on foot at this point, she went just as we hoped. 

After she got into the big tub, we opened the maternity pen gate and turned her around.

Bingo.

Once inside, we grabbed the gate and started to close her in.

Crowding her around, the head catch was her only option for escape.

So she thought. These self latching head catches are wonderful. Once she locked herself in, we were able to finish bringing the gate around and chain it up.

The lump jaw isn't bad today. Sometimes I've seen it pretty swollen up and burst open at the bottom. If this infection sets into the jaw there is little hope for recovery. However, if caught early, the infection can be defeated with some antibiotics. 

LA200 is administered subcutaneous (sub-q), which is placing the medicine just under the skin. To do so you have to tent the skin and then inject the needle. Only about 10cc is recommended in each site. When your cow is throwing her head, you just do the best you can do. We got all 60cc in her with relative ease. In three days, we'll administer the second dose. 

After that, we turned her loose. 

Letting Mom settle a bit, we ran the rest of the bunch back to the pasture. 

With planing on giving a second shot in a few days, we are going to leave these two girls around. Beings it so warm this winter, an open water tank should be just fine. 

Enjoy your stay, girls.

Mission accomplished. But not without the help of a good horse. Chief is the man. I thank God he is so willing to handle whatever task is at hand.

Fun stuff. I'm not a fan of lump-jaw cows. But, I'm thankful that White Cow developed one so we could have the joy of setting up a doctor's pen and tending to her needs. Good way to break in the new year. If the rest of the year goes this smooth, we'll be in for a pretty good ride. Let's ranch!