Even though her temperature is down to normal I am very afraid for Del my big tall Ayrshire. My milk cow. Only weeks away from calving and this terrible bout of pneumonia has ravaged her. Everything is back in working order. But she is still in intensive care. She eats very little. Walks with geriatric care. Stands staring for hours on end and seems to have gone deep within herself. Hopefully to heal.
Cows are prey animals so they do everything they can to hide illness. If they show weakness the herd will reject them or they lag behind and they will be vulnerable to the predators. I think this is why she stays on her feet. She is waiting it out on her feet.
Think like a cow. 
Anyway – she spent the night locked in the barn out of the cold wind. I just let her out and she very, very slowly headed for the mineral bucket. I took that as a good sign.
I don’t know.
She is not tempted by any of her usual treats and vegetables so I will go to the feed store this morning and get some different feeds to tempt her with and more molasses and alfalfa cubes. Anything high protein with lots of roughage. She must start eating soon. She needs to get strong again.
Tia remains the same thankfully. Hopefully she has not caught whatever caused this. 
I will keep you posted in the comments section.
C
Not the best weather for a recovering pneumonia patient. Damn wind.
The Kitchen's Garden 
41 responses to “AUNTY DEL”
Oh no! I am so sorry. I will continue to send healing thoughts. Unfortunately, because I’m not a farmer, I don’t have any useful ideas or suggestions. But you are a pro, and a kindhearted, insightful person with great capacity for creativity and trying things that no one else would try. I know she is in the best possible most loving hands. With an excellent vet by the sound, so hopefully something that you are trying to work. Thinking of you and Del today.
Oh Aunty Del, poor, sweet Aunty Del. I just wonder if that wind incident was the start. Lowering her immune system. All my hopes are with you and her.
So worrying, I see you have called the vet.
I have been waiting for news. Hoping it would be good… that everything works out as best it can ♡
Not too good. But Del is in recovery now so fingers crossed- I wish it were not so cold!
Fingers crossed for Aunty Del that she will recover.🤞🤞
So sorry to hear Auntie Del hasn’t been well. She’s blessed to have you by her side. Happy to drive down if you need help! (Will bring a snow-bonnet for Del!)
Hi, Ceci!
I wonder if a good old-fashioned mustard plaster around Auntie’s lung area, plus the aforementioned blankets, would be of any help. Good thoughts moving your way, and NOT on a nasty wind either!
Yes, dry Keene’s mixed with oil to keep it flexible and working slowly… Do they grind mustard seed at the mill Celi?
oh my goodness…..my hopes are high for Del…..such a good cow….love and hugs
I hope Aunty Del and the calf are OK. Will you still be able to milk her if she lost the calf now? Not an ideal outcome, here’s hoping they both come through.
The answer to that is yes. She actually must be milked or she would be in a very bad way. And you are right – at least the farm gets milk
Poor Del – I hope she gets better soon.
Sorry to hear about Del Celi .. hurry up and get well girl