Thursday, June 2, 2011

Confessions of a Cow Hypochondriac

That's right.  Cow hypochondriac.  In case you didn't know, a hypochondriac is someone who thinks that every little physical or mental problem is the result of some big illness.  Well, I'm a cow hypochodriac.

I guess I'm scarred.  After Lil' Bit, the Jersey heifer, had a whole round of sickness that included Milk Fever(a calcium definciency) and ketosis(expending more energy than one consumes- this nearly killed her).  Neither were our fault- it was her post-birth round of sickness.

Whenever one of our cows is not completely herself, I start to worry.  I check to see if their ears are cold, and check for trembling.  I watch the way they lie down, and carefully note how they walk.  I check the level of water, and check to see how full their rumen(sp?) is.  I will stay to make sure that they are not walking in circles.  It's what I do.

I would guess that I know more about cows than the average person.  Actually, I'm sure of it.  I'm hardly a vet, but I know a good bit about cows.  It's been so hot lately, and milk production has been down.  I hope that's why Lil' Bit is less excited about her food- it's hot in there.  I'm a cow hypochondriac.

1 comment:

  1. You love your animals, that's all. It's a good thing. Maybe a little psychopathetic, but I don't think you need a shrink or anything.

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