How To Splint A Calf's Broken Leg
- Date: 2008-11-04 - Word Count: 532
Share This!
The other morning I was out checking on my cows and calves when I noticed one of my calves was limping. I took a closer look and found that it was badly swollen on the back right leg. I don't know if the calf was just playing and broke it or a cow stepped on its leg or what exactly happened, but I knew I would have to try and do something to help this baby calf. She was only six days old. I drove the cow and calf into the corral and decided to call my vet. He told me to bring her in and he would splint it, or I could do it myself.
There are times when I would not hesitate for the vet to come out and help care for wounded or sick animals. But the cost is usually much more then what the animal will bring if taken to the market. So, after careful deliberation, I chose to splint this calf's leg myself.
First , check to see if there is any puncture where the bone might have penetrated through the skin. If there is no puncture through the skin, then it is probably a small fracture and will heal nicely. I was lucky and found no cut or penetration through the skin. Carefully wrap the leg with an ace wrap, cloth or foam. Make sure you get the wrap tight enough that it won't fall off, but not to tight to cut the circulation off.
Second, take a 1 ½" to 2" pvc pipe and split it vertically down into two pieces. This will act as the splint, to hold the bone in place. Make sure the splint is a little longer then the calves leg so that the calf will have to walk on the splint instead of its leg. Place the splint on the inside and outside of the leg to support the broken bone and use gray duct tape to wrap and secure the splint into place. The gray duct tape will last about three weeks, which gives the calves leg time to heal.
I found that the calf began walking on her three legs, and held the wounded leg up off of the ground. Also, it is important that the cow and calf are somewhat restricted in area of movement. I kept the cow and calf in my corral with a stall for shelter. Make sure the area you keep you wounded animal in is as clean as possible. There is plenty of grass there for the mama cow and she can't roam very far from her baby. I also supplemented the cow with grain and hay and made sure she had plenty of fresh water to drink.
It is astonishing how quickly a young animal can heal, so don't despair if you see one of your young calves with a serious injury. Just be prepared to help the healing along it way. There is often a way to help the calf to recover.
I am happy to tell you that this young heifer is now running around with the rest of my calves and you can't even tell if she ever had a broken leg.
There are times when I would not hesitate for the vet to come out and help care for wounded or sick animals. But the cost is usually much more then what the animal will bring if taken to the market. So, after careful deliberation, I chose to splint this calf's leg myself.
First , check to see if there is any puncture where the bone might have penetrated through the skin. If there is no puncture through the skin, then it is probably a small fracture and will heal nicely. I was lucky and found no cut or penetration through the skin. Carefully wrap the leg with an ace wrap, cloth or foam. Make sure you get the wrap tight enough that it won't fall off, but not to tight to cut the circulation off.
Second, take a 1 ½" to 2" pvc pipe and split it vertically down into two pieces. This will act as the splint, to hold the bone in place. Make sure the splint is a little longer then the calves leg so that the calf will have to walk on the splint instead of its leg. Place the splint on the inside and outside of the leg to support the broken bone and use gray duct tape to wrap and secure the splint into place. The gray duct tape will last about three weeks, which gives the calves leg time to heal.
I found that the calf began walking on her three legs, and held the wounded leg up off of the ground. Also, it is important that the cow and calf are somewhat restricted in area of movement. I kept the cow and calf in my corral with a stall for shelter. Make sure the area you keep you wounded animal in is as clean as possible. There is plenty of grass there for the mama cow and she can't roam very far from her baby. I also supplemented the cow with grain and hay and made sure she had plenty of fresh water to drink.
It is astonishing how quickly a young animal can heal, so don't despair if you see one of your young calves with a serious injury. Just be prepared to help the healing along it way. There is often a way to help the calf to recover.
I am happy to tell you that this young heifer is now running around with the rest of my calves and you can't even tell if she ever had a broken leg.
Related Tags: calf, calves, broken leg, caring for calf
To Your Success,Steve Robinsonwww.self-sufficient-farm-living.com Your Article Search Directory : Find in Articles
Recent articles in this category:
- The Time I Had a Pet Blue Wasp
A lot of people have pets such as dogs, cats, birds, rabbits, turtles and some even have snakes and - Why Should You Buy Barking Collars For Dogs?
You love your dog but he always barks and misbehaves. It is very upsetting for owners to have dogs t - What to Consider Before Adopting a Dog
There may be plenty of occasions in your life when a puppy crosses your path and desperately needs a - What Do Pet Insurance Policies Cover?
The most basic pet insurance policies simply cover vet bills. More advanced policies can cover every - Dog Walkers Are They For You
If you own a dog then you will know how important it is to ensure that it is walked often to keep th - Creating the Right First Aid Kit For Your Dog
Most of us have some type of first aid kit in our homes. They are necessary for those small bumps an - Deciding to Crate Your Dog For Training
There are several different ways that you may decide to use to train your new dog and they are all v - What to Know About Diets For Dogs
Weight seems to be a struggle for just about anyone, and that is true in the world of dogs. In fact, - Dog Training Basics - Important Tips to Remember
Training your dog is important. It's important for his safety, your safety, the safety of your prope - Don't Go Raising Sheep For Wool Without Reading This!
There are many possible reasons why people choose to raise sheep. Some do it as a means of livelihoo
Most viewed articles in this category:
- Chesapeake Bay Retriever Puppy And Dog Information
The Chesapeake Bay Retriever is not an apartment dog. She needs plenty of room to exercise and havin - How To Choose The Right Dog Trainer
Choosing a trainer is a very important decision and one that requires a fair amount of research and - Can Greenies Dog Treats Recover From Death?
A Makeover For Greenies(r) Treats Months after a series of lawsuits and media attention alleged the - Dog Treats - How to Choose Healthy Treats for Your Dog
Your dog is indeed your best friend and how you feed him or her is very important. Even small items - How to Choose A Good Dog Trainer
If you find that you are not being successful in training your own dog, or maybe you don't have the - Dog Breeds and Asthma Sufferers: Are Hypoallergenic Breeds Always Best?
The first important consideration is to understand exactly what hypoallergenic dog breeds are. In sh - Audubon Bird Feeders
Bird watching is an enjoyable hobby for many of us. We love the antics of the different birds as - Must Have Accessories For Your Fish Tank
When many individuals think of fish tank accessories, decorations are often the first thing that com - The Beautifull Hummingbirds
The hummingbirds diet requires nectar as a source of energy and for their protein source small insec - Clumber Spaniel Puppy And Dog Information
The Clumber Spaniel is an intelligent, calm dog great for apartments as they do not need a great dea