Cow Lifts

Lifting your cow back up on its feet and being returned to its herd as soon as possible is very rewarding for you and of course the best outcome we want for the cow.

Cows that are down should always be made the highest priority despite whatever else is happening on the farm. They may be experiencing soreness, decreased comfortability, and most importantly stress. It is your responsibility to figure out decisions so that they receive proper care and be comfortable in their enclosure.

When you correctly diagnose, treat and nurse down cows with a very high standard, you will be able to increase their chances of recovery and reduce the stress that everyone may feel especially if you are in the busiest season on your farm.

HOW TO PREVENT DOWN COWS

There are factors that are preventable. You can always lower the chances of down cows by selecting the correct bull, providing mineral supplementation, good springer management, and accurate body condition scoring to make sure that your cows are in the right shape when it’s time for calving.

MANAGING DOWN COWS

1. Diagnose the main cause
   
   
   1. Infection
   2. Gut diseases
   3. Injuries such as dislocations, muscle/tendon ruptures
   4. Metabolic diseases such as fatty liver disease, ketosis, etc.
      
      
2. Decide on what treatment to use

• You can maximize the chances of your cow to their quick recovery if you are able to diagnose and treat them well. There are cases where they can recover within the day but if it takes longer, your cow should be transferred to an appropriate area using cow lifters.
• A place where there is a roof would be the best place for a down cow.

3. Follow the treatment management plan

• If your cow is still down even after 24 hours of treatment, you should reassess. Remember that it can sometimes take a week or longer for them to fully recover.

Cows should never be left untreated especially if they are feeling stressed or in pain.

WHEN TO LIFT COWS

If you know that your cow can bear her own weight, then it is okay to lift them up. Always remember that if you try lifting a cow when they are not ready to even stand can just bring them more harm than good.

It is the wings of their pelvis where the hip lifters are attached, are not designed to bear the weight of the cow. Assist your cow to stand if they are:

• Alert
• They are not twitching or even trembling
• They don’t appear weak or diseased
• They have normal and functional limbs based on your assessment

USING HIP LIFTERS

Make sure to check the cow for any type of dislocations or broken bones before attempting to use your hip lifters. Hip lifters should only be used when assisting your cow to a standing position and not to suspend them. All their limbs should stay in contact with the ground when lifting.

• Make sure that your cow has a grip under its feet. You can always add hay or straw for that added grip.
• Place padded hip clamps to secure the cow's hip bones.
• Make sure to adjust the clamps and it has a firm fit. Do not overtighten the clamps.
• Raise your cow very slowly using a loader that is frontend or you can even use a hoist.
• Slack off the chain and straps when you notice that your cow is bearing their weight on all 4 feet.

It is very important that you do not leave the cow unattended without removing the straps and clamps. Remember that if the cow can’t stand on its own, make sure to return them to the ground slowly and try again at a later time.

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