This morning Pete had more energy. He greeted me at the gate. I gave him a dewormer and a nutrient drench before walking him to the cow corral. Pete walked in talking to the girls. He was rude enough to check the old cow for an udder. She kicked at him, but it was the lightest kick I’ve ever seen her do. She basically pushed him gently with her hoof. I don’t know if he’ll make it, but I think he’s happier and he’s in good, um, hooves.
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I truly know nothing about cows nor calves, so this may sound stupid, but I was wondering if he was too old to put back on some milk replacer? Or get him someone he can nurse off? Reason being, I’m wondering if he was removed from mom too soon (so as to sell to Yahoo), and he could use a bit more of the nutrition he would have gotten from mom?
I’ve recently read that late weaning in horses is good for bone growth.
Glad to hear that he felt a little better this morning. I’m sure that being with an older “mom” type will do wonders with his mental health and reduce the stress he’s been under. Maybe also help his recovery.
(jingling cow bell)
Hang in there Little Pete!
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I don’t know much about cows either but maybe he got taken off milk too soon and his stomach couldn’t digest older cow food that they gave him and that really messed up his system. Maybe add in some cows milk (can you get raw milk for a decent price?) or some milk replacement pellets to help his system adjust?
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I like how you guys are thinking, but with his digestive system so fragile, it’s hard to change anything until he stabilizes. I’m afraid a calf can’t go back to milk replacer after he’s already been on grain and hay for so long. It’s been at least a month because I found some pitiful pictures of him on the old CL ad. He looks hunched up and uncomfortable even in the ad. I didn’t notice it when I picked him up, so the guy must’ve treated it before I showed up.
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He was treated for bloat again tonight. It was free gas bloat, like it’s been the last few times.
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Pete is going downhill today. I fear the cold is too much when he’s so skinny. He isn’t bloated, but he stopped eating and drinking. He’s given up and we have to put him down. He’s on a bed of soft hay and he’s surrounded by cow friends. It’ll be quick and as painless as possible.
Thank you to everyone who shared their thoughts and supported Pete. I never thought much about the steers in the corrals at rodeos until this summer. I saw a steer with a broken leg in the chutes at the county fair. I couldn’t get anyone to do anything about it. I even told them that it made them look bad and they should treat the steer or put him down. They just shrugged. It left a bad impression. Then this. I will never see rodeos the same. I went to a few when I was younger, but I’m over it now. Ranch work is real. Rodeos are just bullsh@t macho crap.
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I’m so sorry. You did all you could and gave sweet Petey a soft end.
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I’m so sorry @moonlitoaksranch. You did all that you could and then some. At least poor lil Pete knew some kindness and comfort with you 
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so sorry about Petey. Thank you for showing him such kindness.
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I’m so sorry. You at least gave him a bit of love and compassion for his last few days
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I am glad Pete had a soft place to land. Some empathy and care. Poor guy, something is really wrong in his poor little stomachs. Godspeed Pete.
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I’m so sorry to hear this. I really wanted a happy ending and a pet steer! You did your best
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So sorry. At least he will be surrounded by friends (human and bovine) at the end.
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Godspeed, little Pete. May you have acres of pasture and no tummy aches on the other side of the bridge.
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You guys are so kind. He had more friends than he knew about.
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You made his last days as painfree as possible, ended the misery he’d known before & finally, as animals have no concept of Future, all he knew as Life was good with you.
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You tried everything. Pete was lucky in the end. Bless you.
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I am so sorry @moonlitoaksranch. I know how hard you tried with the little guy. At least he knew love and kindness 
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I’m so sorry. I was really thinking that he would make it.
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