She lay on her side and looked sure to die... |
Neighbour "Olly" scratched his head as he worked
out how to move her. |
His idea worked. We "sat her up" between two hay
bales and she started to perk up... |
Vet Buz came and gave her injections... |
He showed Nicholas how to give a further boost late that
day... |
|
Tripe's
Story
Maria tells us what has been happening.
October 8 2000 -- This was the first time I met
Tripe. She was pregnant but still had no calf. We fed her and were waiting for the baby to
be born. What a funny experience it was because I had never be so closed to a cattle (and
her droppings as well) before.
October 9 2000 - This was a windy day with heavy rains. Oooohhhhh! What
happened! We saw Tripe was lying down and a calf was standing by her side. She was very
sick and unable to move. It must have been a hard time for her to give birth to the calf.
Then Peter called Olly, his Irish neighbour, as well as a vet to save Tripe.
We first got Tripe out of the fence wires and moved her into a sitting position. We put
several bales of hay to protect her from the bad weather. Then the Dutch vet arrived and
gave her injections of calcium and glucose for energy. Tripe is really a strong cow who
hasn't given up. The situation became better and then we tried to feed the calf. He
is a very lovely calf with beautiful colours. He is healthy and happy and liked to run
around us. We gave his head and scratch and he was very enjoyed it.
October 10 2000 -- Sunny day! Tripe tried to stand up by herself but still
needs wind protection from bales of hay. We gave her some fresh plants and water and she
ate a lot. We prepared some milk for the calf but he didn't drink much. Maybe he had
eaten before we got there. When we were recording all these experience for the web page,
we named the calf as Waitu (a transliteration of part of my name and number two.) All this
is adding memorable experiences for me.
October 11 2000 -- Bad weather again! We brought many things to keep Tripe
to get stronger: a mixture of molasses, dolomite and seaweed powder which gives her
calcium and energy; carrots as well as other fresh green plants. Tripe looks better today
and willing to eat more. However, Waitu still didn't want to drink the milk we
prepared. He may like to have Tripe to feed him instead.
Oct 18, 2000: Tripe is definitely improving - as you can see here, she
was walking again, albeit on tottery feet last Monday but today we walked her back up
to the house .. ( and Maria drives the 4Xwheeler all by herself...)
Updates
March 2001: We are not milking Tripe so she can regain her
strength. Two new Jersey heifers will be milked in future (2003) - Hyde & Ranger
Tripe seems much better today |
Nov 24,2001: Tripe's 4-year-old "Belted Jersey" child,
with her 5-month-old calf, "Aussie2" has come to keep her company. This
was the first time that Waitu has played with another youngster.
(left to right) Waitu, Aussie2, Josephine and Tripe lying down. |
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