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To: rawhide; All
Sixteen days ago we had two feral dogs get in the pen with our three bottle fed calves and begin attacking them. We awoke to this. It was very severe! One of the calves was missing such large chunks out of her legs that she had to be put down immediately. The other two it have been touch and go, finally turning the corner a few days ago. They've been on pain killers and antibiotics since the attack. One of them had to have her leg amputated four days ago because she lost circulation in it. She's kind of special. There's a story to go along with her, which is why we went to such extremes to save her. The other also has huge chunks missing from her legs. The injuries from these types of attacks generally get worse before they get better. They can't be stitched because the bacteria from the bite wounds has to drain. Penicillin will help keep the infection under control. The damaged and dead tissue also has to fall away, so any stitching would come out anyway. This smells terrible. One wound on our calf that initially appeared to be about an inch and a half in diameter was about 3 by 6 inches before it begin to heal. That healing has just started to take place in the last two to three days. The calf that had the amputation is getting along very well. She's very young and has already adjusted her balance for getting up and walking on three legs. The reason that we saved these calves is that in spite of their injuries, they kept eating, and acting very normal. They've been on painkillers, and do not seem to be in agony. It was very vicious though. They look terrible! The last couple of weeks has been quite stressful in caring for them, and preparing my kids for the possibility that they wouldn't make it. It's hard not to form attachments to the bottle fed calves. We spend a lot of time with them. I'm thankful my children were not out giving bottles at the time of the attack. We shot both dogs!
413 posted on 06/10/2006 10:01:46 AM PDT by Conservative Texan Mom (Some people say I'm stubborn, when it's usually just that I'm right.)
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To: Conservative Texan Mom

That is horrible! I feel sorry for your poor little guys. Good thing the offending dogs were killed. I really wish people would just keep their dogs contained. If it's in the city, there are children, and in the country there's livestock. Either way, nowadays there's no excuse for strays.


414 posted on 06/10/2006 6:07:56 PM PDT by solosmoke
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