It's a good morning. Bella is alert and gaining strength. Yesterday was not the case to begin with. Bella was born at 0630 just at daybreak. Of course it was cold and frosty. When else to drop a calf out in the field. As our custom in rearing our calves, Greg swooped her up and off to the brood pen with a warm light. Alas, that was not enough to break the cold she experience in the pool of fluid she was dropped in by mom Misty as Bella made her entrance into the cold weather leaving the warm secure tummy of her mom. She suffered a moderate case of hypothermia and was needing quick attention. Instead of the usual heat lamp in the brood pen. It was off to the barn kitchen with a HOT fire in the stove. We were cooking and Bella was shivering. Her internal systems were beginning to shut down. More warmth in the form of hair dryer heat pumped under the blanket and many dry towels to clean her off. We started feeding little amounts of precious colostrum we were able draw from Misty. As time and effort progressed, the shivering subsided and body temperature was almost up to normal. We helped her get up and take more milk from the bottle. Each hour showed more progress. All our experience in dealing with a hypothermic animal was being tried as well as phone calls to other farm friends and veterinarians. Well as you can see Bella has pulled through the night and is much stronger. Yeahhh!! such a lovely calf. Today has started off as a much brighter day. Makes all the effort worth it. Thanks Kevin and all our friends.
Quick note on Shrimp, the orphan lamb. Still coming up to the house at night and being just a terror for Bran. Both were curious about Bella, the new addition to the house kitchen extension of the barn. Nightmare!! Oh well, the floor is being replaced with tile anyway. Is there a diaper (nappy) big enough for Bella??? Nooo...
Well its daylight and time to start today's adventure. What is new down at the barns? We'll let you know later. Take care, stay safe. G (M will be back when there is f
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