for Dec. 21, 2005 Q: I just got a cow and I need you to do X,Y, or Z to the cow for me. I have no squeeze chute, and she ain't halter broke. Is that a problem?
A: OK, good question. Yes, it is a real problem! I wish you people would think about this stuff before you buy an animal the size of a cow!!!! If you can, buy a cow that is TAME. Cows can be halter broke, and broke to lead, the same as a horse. Just go to a dairy if you don't believe me!~
However, most cows aren't tame and they require sturdy facilities to handle them. At the very least, you need an alley. That consists of two fences about 3 1/2 feet apart that you can put the cow in. Then you put a 2 x 4 in front and in back of the cow to keep it in there. You have to have BIG, SOLID, posts arranged to make this possible. Please find out how to build one and have this done BEFORE you call a vet! Do NOT expect your vet to be able to work on a cow loose in your pasture. It ain't happening. I used to rope them in the old days, but no more!
You also need real fences. Cows aren't going to stay in the same kind of fence that keeps horses in! The best set-up is an alley with a squeeze chute at the end of it. Then, two people can handle the cow easily.
The other thing is, for Pete's sake, learn how to tell when a cow is threatening you! When she paws the ground, even a little bit, she is not happy. Never go into her pen without a whip or a stick. Do NOT call her to you like a cat, okay? Cows will charge you with what seems like no warning and toss you around like rag doll! Get on the back end of the cow and drive her. If she turns on you and paws the ground, either threaten her and turn her around or get the heck out of there.
If you have to get a cow, get one that is advertised as a "family cow". She will be tame and nice. Have the seller demonstrate how to handle her. If you can't do it, please do not get a cow.
The bottom line is that if you can't do something with her, neither can I.Merry Christmas!!
Kaia
Naches Veterinary Services and Cuddles Doggie Salon
Send your questions to:countryclassicsnaches@hotmail.com
Kaia Sorem, DVM
WSU 1984
Veterinary Service
Pet Grooming
Cuddles Doggie Salon
203 Naches Avenue
Naches WA 98937
1-509-653-2108Past Dr. Kaia columns:
Dec. 21, 2005 Can You Come Do Vet Work On My Untamed Cow?
Dec. 14, 2005 Do Pit Bulls Have Locking Jaws or Any Other Bad Traits?
Dec. 7, 2005 Older Cat Getting Thin May Have Over-active Thyroid
Nov. 30, 2005 Horses' "Wolf" Teeth
Nov. 23, 2005 Female Cat Yowling
Nov. 16, 2005 Yakima Shelter Adopting Out Dogs During Distemper Outbreak!
Nov. 9, 2005 Still Worried About West Nile Virus?
Nov. 2, 2005 Dog Ate Chocolate Candy
Oct. 26, 2005 Dog Had Seizure
Oct. 19, 2005 Isn't Storing Food for Survival Going Overboard?
Oct. 12, 2005 Need We Worry About Avian Flu?
Oct. 5, 2005 Pet Microchips Must Include Their Subscriptions
Sept. 28, 2005 Leave Horse's Shoes On Through Winter?
Sept. 21, 2005 Does Microchipping Dogs Find Lost Dogs?
Sept. 14, 2005 Donate to Save Pets Orphaned by Katrina
Sept. 7, 2005 Dog Poisoned by a Rodenticide like D-Con
Aug. 31, 2005 Alsike Clover- the Poison Clover
Aug. 24, 2005 Effective Treatment for Cat with Arthritis
Aug. 17, 2005 Goldfish Make Lots of Babies
Aug. 10, 2005 Is Cat Urine Odor Permanent?
Aug. 3, 2005 Is My Horse Navicular?
July 27, 2005 Rabbit Leaks Urine And Is In Pain
July 20, 2005 Too Many Lost Dogs
July 13, 2005 Horse Blanket in Summer?
July 6, 2005 Protecting Your Dog During Fireworks
June 29, 2005 Testicular Implants
June 22, 2005 Dogs In Cars In Hot Weather
June 15, 2005 Stallion Owners Require Uterine Culture Before Breeding My Mare by Ariticial Insemination
June 8, 2005 Care For Injured Horse While Waiting For Vet
June 1, 2005 Mange
May 25, 2005 Tick Paralysis
May 18, 2005 Dogs' Ears: Smells, Mites, Infections, Foreign Objects
May 11, 2005 Dangers in Horse Falling Over Backwards
May 4, 2005 More Ticks This Year
Apr. 27, 2005 Can the New Snake Bite Vaccine Fail to Save the Dog?
Apr. 20, 2005 Finding a Dog and Searching for Its Owner
Apr. 13, 2005 Microchip ID Tags Implanted in Dogs
Mar. 30 & Repeated on Apr. 6, 2005 A Dog Mauled by Coyotes
Mar. 23, 2005 Why Is My Mare In Heat For Two Weeks
Mar. 16, 2005 Light Winter Brings More Fleas and Ticks
Mar. 9, 2005 Does Early Spring Make Mares Ready to Breed Early?
Mar. 2, 2005 Holistic Medicine
Feb. 23, 2005 Alternative Medicine II- Human Nutritional Supplements for Pets
Feb. 16, 2005 Alternative Medicine
Feb. 9, 2005 How Big Will A Kitten Get?
Feb. 2, 2005 Animals Can Die Unexpectedly During Surgery
Jan. 26, 2005 Horse Colic in Winter Caused by Cold Water
Jan. 19, 2005 Blanket Horses in Winter?
Jan. 12, 2005 New Rattlesnake Vaccine Available
Jan. 5, 2005 Dog Christmas Party and Feeding Bones to Dogs
Dec. 22, 2004 Correct Age for Neutering Dog
Dec. 15, 2004 Dog Bites Are Very Serious In Many Ways
Dec. 8, 2004 Decorations Hazardous to Pets
Dec. 1, 2004 Does a Horse Need a Barn, and How Big?
Nov. 24, 2004 Dogs Scratching Because of Allergies
Nov. 17, 2004 Rescuing Injured Wild Animals
Nov. 10, 2004 Use ALL of Every Antibiotic Prescription
Nov. 3, 2004 Causing Mare to Foal Early Using Light in Stall
Oct. 27, 2004 Horse Rubbing Mane and Tail
Oct. 20, 2004 What is Mangosteen?
Oct. 13, 2004 Will Neutering Stop Male Cat From Spraying?
Oct. 6, 2004 Care of Animals During Volcanic Eruption
Sept. 29, 2004 Dog Scratching Ear and Shaking Head
Sept. 22, 2004 Dog Dementia
Sept. 15, 2004 Treating Dog's Arthritis Can Prolong It's Life
Sept. 8, 2004 Dog Drinking and Urinating More Than Normal: Diabetes
Sept. 1, 2004 Dogs Scratching with Flea Bites
Aug. 25, 2004 Dogs Sore with Arthritis in Hips
Aug. 18, 2004 Dogs Left in Cars in Hot Weather May Be Released by Good Samaritans
Aug. 11, 2004 Microchipping Your Dog
Aug. 4, 2004 Dogs Lose Appetite in Hot Weather
July 28, 2004 Fish Oil for Dogs
July 21, 2004 Dog Bitten by Wild Animal
July 14, 2004 Talking Birds- Some Understand The Words
July 7, 2004 Importance of Ultrasounding Pregnant Mare
June 30, 2004 Cleaning Dogs' Teeth
June 23, 2004 Male Cats Spraying in the House
June 16, 2004 Horse Chiropractors
June 9, 2004 Cats Disappearing in Spring
June 2, 2004 Vaccination to Protect from Snakebite?
May 26, 2004 Older Female Dog Leaking Urine
May 12 & 19, 2004 Having a New Horse Checked and a Dog Who Has Become Dominant and Biting Toward Humans
May 5, 2004 Satellite Veterinary Clinic in Naches
Apr. 28, 2004 May 1 Too Early to Shave a Dog?
Apr. 21, 2004 Ticks Are Especially Bad This Year
Apr. 14, 2004 Breeding a Mare with Transported Semen-- repeat
Apr. 7, 2004 Horse Racing Alive and Well in Kennewick
Mar. 31, 2004 Floating Horses' Teeth
Mar. 24, 2004 Swelling in Horse's Hock Serious?
Mar. 17, 2004 How Long Do Puppy Shots Last?
Mar. 10, 2004 Breeding a Mare with Transported Semen
Mar. 3, 2004 What is Doggie Day Care?
Feb. 25, 2004 Old Dog Uncomfortable, Trouble Getting Up
Feb. 18, 2004 Cat Urinating Blood or Not Urinating
Feb. 11, 2004 High Carbohydrate Hay Content Causing Foundering
Feb. 4, 2004 Cushing's Disease and Metabolic Syndrome
Jan. 28, 2004 Leaving Horses Shod in Winter Causes Sore Feet
Jan. 21, 2004 Feeding Elk in Winter
Jan. 14, 2004 Why So Much Colic At This Time of Year?
Jan. 7, 2004 Mad Cow Disease Threat is Very Serious
Dec. 24, 2003 Warts on Horse's Muzzle
Dec. 17, 2003 Horse with a "Gravel" Lame Foot
Dec. 10, 2003 Dogs Have Fleas in Winter?
Dec. 3, 2003 Cats and Christmas Decorations
Nov. 26, 2003 Pigeon Fever in Horses
Nov. 19, 2003 Dogs with Signs of Lethargy or Intoxication
Nov. 12, 2003 Groom Dog Less in Winter?
Nov. 5, 2003 Dogs Eating From Cat Litter Box
Oct. 29, 2003 Dog Bad Breath
Oct. 22, 2003 Ultrasonic Teeth Cleaning for Dogs
Oct. 15, 2003 Navicular vs. Caudal Heel Syndrome
Oct. 8, 2003 Ambulatory Veterinary Practice
Oct. 1, 2003 Acupuncture for Animals
Sept. 24, 2003 Winter Care for Horses
Sept. 17, 2003 Found Sickly Puppy
Sept. 10, 2003 Horse Not Conditioned Properly
Aug. 27, 2003 Barrel Horse Anxious and Unwilling
Aug. 20, 2003 Cats Get Tumors From Vaccines?
Aug. 13, 2003 Horse Unshod All Year?