Proactive Cow Health Care

We have experienced a few cow health emergencies and needs that we could not meet at the ISCOWP sanctuary.  In the last two years, we had to bring the cows with health problems to the local veterinarian hospital for large animals. We were thankful such an excellent facility was near us and good care was accessible for our cows.  But the cost was thousands of dollars.

If we had this cow chute available, we could have taken care of most of the cows at the sanctuary and saved much expense, plus the trauma for the cows of having to leave their herd for an extended period. Two of them were in the hospital for over a month. The chute will also allow us to facilitate hoof care. We know of a Ferrier, but he needs a chute to care for the cow’s hooves. Many of our cows are quite large, making it more difficult to contain them when they need medical help.

How You Can Help

The chute costs $7,599.00, but we need to put in a cement pad for it to rest on, hire manpower to accept its delivery, and place it where we want it. We also need some construction work to prepare the desired location for its placement. We estimate about $10,000 to cover all the costs.

Please donate here if you want to help us purchase the cow chute.

We want to place the chute in what has become our hospital and hay barn. Nara, who has suffered a knee and hip injury, lives there now, and so does Lila, who lost her horn. The babies are growing up in this area until they are ready to join the herd. One side of the barn faces the main herd’s pasture and winter feeding area, and the other side faces a smaller pasture where the hospital patients exercise.

This cow chute will help us contain a cow when she needs an examination, injection, wound care, hoof care, acupuncture, or just about any cow care that is facilitated by the cow remaining still. When a cow can be contained, it makes it safer for her, the veterinarian, and cow caregivers.  Our vet, Dr. Jill, has recommended a chute for increased safety and expanded health care at our sanctuary. This chute opens the same width at the top and bottom. The new low-profile floor adjusts easily from 15.5” to 6.5” in width. The wide opening offers a clear visual path to entice entry and facilitate smooth exits.  Cows will have a clear visual path with a wide opening. The included neck extenders will give added head control.

Please Donate here

A Quick Look at the Hospital Barn and Yard

Lila became one of our most recent medical emergencies when she lost most of her horn, and the rest of the herd freaked out when they realized something was wrong with Lila. Due to Lakshmi’s and Balaji’s fast thinking, Lila was quickly separated from the herd and is resting in her own fenced-in area in the hospital barnyard near the babies and Nara. The following video shows how Lila wants to play with the babies. We will soon try placing her back in the herd, and if that does not work out well, we will place her with the babies. This video allows a quick view of the other side of the hospital and hay barn and its accompanying barnyard.