Injured calf, anything to do?

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Warrior10

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Aug 9, 2010
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Mason City, Ne
Posted a pic of our hired man heifer calf awhile back, we think she is a good onne. Unfortunately yestrrday we discovered her toe was stepped on and the shell was ripped off. She won't put any pressure on it and the vet said we will need to amputate the toe. Any one ever had this happen to them? Anything else we can do or how do you think she will turn out if we amputate? Can I keep as cow, can she still be show prospect? never had this happen before so I am searching for answers.....
 

HAB

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Apr 6, 2010
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North Dakota
She will still make a cow, but probably not a show prospect.

Had a bull 20 yrs ago get hung up in fence and had to amputate one rear toe.  He gimped a little, but went on to breed cows for years.
 

Warrior10

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Mason City, Ne
HAB said:
She will still make a cow, but probably not a show prospect.

Had a bull 20 yrs ago get hung up in fence and had to amputate one rear toe.  He gimped a little, but went on to breed cows for years.
Makes me feel better HAB, thanks.
 

The Show

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Jan 26, 2010
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Colorado
We had a brahman heifer about a few years ago that went running out of a squeeze chute after getting dehorned and she jumped and hit a concrete edge and messed up her outside toe on her front left foot. We ended up having to amputate it. After that we had to clean it and wrap it for about a week or two until it healed up good. Always kinda gimped around on it, but was still a good cow. An amputee won't make a show calf though.
 

Shadow Hill Farm

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Dec 8, 2011
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Northern VA
Sorry to hear that! I hope it works out for you. We haven't had that happen but reading the comments sounds like it will work out for you just not in the show ring. Hopefully you will get some nice replacements from her down the road. Good luck and please feel free to pm with updates on how she progresses.  <beer>
 

McM93

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Jan 21, 2012
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We have had to amputate toes because of foot rot. Not a pretty picture, we have never kept one, but they can graze and function...Show career out of the question...
 

Warrior10

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Mason City, Ne
Thanks for responses, sounds like I will be able to keep as a cow. That is fine with me, won't mind breeding her for years to come!
 
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