This morning I enjoyed a long walk in The Rivelin Valley, just west of Sheffield. I followed a public footpath up to Lawns Farm where I noticed a small herd of brown cows. From a distance, one particular cow caught my eye. It appeared to have something hanging from its neck - perhaps a tracking device or a cow bell.
But as I drew closer, I realised that the appendage was part of the cow's anatomy. I took out my faithful camera and zoomed in to get these shots:-
Now in my rambles I have seen thousands of dairy cows but never before have I seen a beast with a dangly swelling as in the case of this unfortunate animal. It must be an awful hindrance to her endless grazing and perhaps there's some associated physical pain. I don't know.
I tried to use "Google" to find out what the swinging throat ball might be but failed miserably. Perhaps you might be able to help - especially if you have had some veterinary training or you know a dairy farmer. Possibly the unusual thingamabob has no name and if that is the case I hereby christen it a "donald" in honour of the Republican presidential candidate over in America.
Oh, by the way, this is a photo I snapped later of Lawns Farm from high on the opposite side of The Rivelin Valley. You can just make out part of the little herd to the left of the farm:-
It's a goiter. Humans get it as well it's called Derbyshire Neck.
ReplyDeleteIodine deficiency causes it. I'm not a vet so this won't cost a hundred pounds.
Perhaps you are right Adrian but normally goitres swell up as part of the neck. They tend not to dangle like this thing.
DeleteBloody hell thanks adrian
ReplyDeleteInvite him round to The Ukrainian Village to assess your feathered friends...
DeleteThe poor thing. Perhaps it's a cyst (but I tend to agree with Adrian's comment after reading what he wrote). Let's hope it's not causing any pain, and let's hope if it is, the farmer shows some mercy to the poor animal. However, if it's not giving the animal any grief, I guess all is well.
ReplyDeleteAdd some seaweed to its diet...more iodine is needed!!
I have seen cattle with goitres before but they tend to swell up around the throat - not dangling like that.
DeleteA misplaced ball, perhaps?
DeleteThat's weird. You'd think something like that would be treated in some way like surgery.
ReplyDeleteThat is exactly what I thought Red. That thing could easily catch on a boundary fence and the cow might then bleed to death.
DeleteThat looks awful, although otherwise the animal looks in good condition. The Weaver of Grass might be able to supply the answer.
ReplyDeleteAlphie
Yes. With her farming background, she might be able to advise... if she comes to this post.
DeleteMaybe the farmer has had a vet assess the swelling and they decided that as long as it won't spread and cause pain it is best left where it is, as surgery is certainly not without danger.
ReplyDeleteThe last picture is nice. I so like to look at farms, but I am realistic enough to know I'm not suited to farm life.
Your idea about the vet is optimistic as Lawns Farm appears a little neglected... as if it has seen better days. If that "donald" catches on a fence the cow will bleed profusely. You are too sophisticated for farm life but it's okay to look at them.
Deletei feel bad about him ! need some care
ReplyDeletehttp://inthebothv.blogspot.ae/
I hope you haven't also got a 'donald' Shilpa!
DeleteAre you sure it's not a bull with some of its bits in the wrong place?
ReplyDeleteHa! Ha! Now I understand the derivation of the unpleasant term "knobhead".
DeleteI've just googled (images) 'goitre in cattle'....I REALLY wish I hadn't... :-(
ReplyDeleteIt would be awful if your dreams were filled with cattle goitres for a while Wanda and I apologise for pointing you in that direction.
DeleteUnlikely to be a goitre as that affects the thyroid gland. Probably a cyst. That cow definitely has a look of Donald about it, probably the hair do.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your input Sue. You seem to know about veterinary things. It's the cyst/goitre thing that's a "donald" not the cow herself. She is probably called Buttercup or Daisy.
DeleteThe farmer has just looked at this and says he has never seen anything like it in his fifty odd years of farming, (forty of them as a dairy farmer).
ReplyDeleteI was hoping you would ask him. Thanks for that Mrs Weaver. I knew it was an unusual thing but to have had a experienced dairy farmer confirm this is reassuring. Does he think I should contact the RSPCA?
DeleteAs a dairyman's daughter and a citizen of the USA, I resent your referring to that "thing" as a donald. Please show some respect for the poor cow. Life must be hard for her as it is. And I feel I must apologize for donald. What an embarrassment!
ReplyDeleteYou got me there for a moment Aunt Joyce. I thought you were a genuine Trumper.
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