Animals That Cannot Stand Up (Downer Animal)

10.7.2 Animals That Cannot Stand Up (Downer Animal)

Sometimes an animal cannot stand up, particularly after a long difficult delivery. This can happen due to fatigue, damaged muscles or nerves, or lack of calcium, called “milk fever.” See page 270.

Treatment: If the animal has “milk fever,” treat it accordingly. If the down animal becomes alert and able to eat, then there is a good chance it will recover. If the animal cannot lift its head or eat (even after treating it for milk fever), it probably will not recover; and the owner should consider killing it for meat.

The general treatment for any down animal is the following:

1. Protect the animal from harsh weather (e.g. heat, sun, cold, wind, rain) and other animals 2. Put the animal on soft, clean, dry bedding on level ground. Soft bedding is particularly important for a large animal to avoid serious muscle damage and skin sores from the weight of its own body.

3. Reposition the animal to its other side at least four times daily to avoid muscle damage and skin sores.

4. Give the animal fresh food and water at least four times daily.

5. Use fly powder, if necessary, to keep the animal from being bothered by flies, maggots and screw worm. See page 316.

6. If possible, gather several people together to help lift the animal at least once daily. Do not let the animal try to walk unless the area is level, safe and not slippery; otherwise the animal may fall and injure itself.

If after two weeks there is no sign of improvement, the owner should consider killing it for meat.