Saving One Cow Is Worth The Price Of The Whole Deal

Found a cow down in the main herd this morning. She was breathing hard and hated for me to touch her. She was hot, too. I got her up, loaded and to the vet clinic pretty early and we started to process her. We didn't, excuse me. The good veterinarian took over and asked me to back up so he could do his job.

The cow is 9 this year. She has had six calves, three and three. She is from the old group of cattle that were out of a famous bull named Harrison. We had several heifers out of the bull, and we always appreciated their progeny. The cow was bred to calve in the fall and therefore is not heavy with calf.

After careful consideration and consulting with the other doctor in the clinic, my cow was diagnosed with a twisted gut. Surgery was quickly done, and the old cow was stitched back together for the long road home. She wobbled, but we got her loaded and she made the ride. I unloaded her in the hospital pen, and she laid down on clean hay. I went back a couple of hours later and she was up at the water tank and standing steady. Thank the Good Lord for the knowledge to take care of the many things science has discovered.

Spending the day, or most of the day, in town is not a good way to get stuff done at the place. The offspring picked up most of the slack and, so, I really didn't have much to take care of when I got home. I fed the horse and got old Dog and rode around the steer pasture in the pickup. It is staying light long enough to make it seem like a real day long, so I enjoyed the time. The warm weather this month has brought on some green in the pasture -- too early, but I like it.

It is my opinion, and everyone has one, saving one cow is worth the price of the whole deal, and it was another learning experience for me. I know some of us beef producers would hesitate to use a vet so quickly due to the cost. It is expensive to have a cow operated on. The education of the vet is also expensive and, believe me, it is not an easy job.

Sweat was running in rivulets down the doctor's face as he worked on the cow. He's a strong man and he needed all he had at times. I am amazed that a talented person will choose an occupation that requires so much unpleasant work. Mud, snow, wind and unending heat in unhandy places are the companions of a veterinarian. Mean cows, stinking infections, dead calves and animals that can clear a 12-foot fence while bleeding profusely are a daily menu!

I am thankful for them, pleased to know some good ones and blessed to be able to use them. I hope you fellers agree with me, I know we surely have stopped throwing salt in an infected eye!

Turn off the news and visit with your close relative, it will make you less peevish!

Bill is the pen name used by the Gravette (Ark.)-area author of this weekly column. Opinions expressed are those of the author.

Editorial on 02/16/2017