To ask what is wrong with this cow

[SHAR0N]

This dairy cow belongs to the farmer in the next village and it looks very ill. Should I report it to the RSPCA?

I know nothing about cows or farming and don’t want to cause trouble if it’s normal. But I don’t want to ignore it if the animal is suffering.

That cow is starving, please report ASAP, it is animal abuse!

She is very thin.
Yes, report.

Oh Jesus Christ, he's skin and bone. Please report

It looks like it’s starving, please, please report it, it might be better to contact your local animal ambulance if you have one, they would get there far quicker than the RSPCA, it will be anonymous, no authority would say who reported it so please don’t worry about that.

It does look quite thin, it could be ill.. but yes id let animal rescue people know, maybe try and feed it in the meantime with something

Omg poor animal. Yes report to RSPCA asap.

She is clearly very sick but I'd say starving is a stretch surrounded by that much good grass. Are there others with her? How do they look? She's more likely unwell, the farmer may be trying to help her for all you know. However, if he is, he will be able to show the RSPCA that if they attend. Yes report but don't be surprised if the answer ultimately is that she is receiving treatment.

It could be ill so best to report, but dairy cows can be very thin as well especially when they are at the end of their “useful” life. This picture is an award-winning Jersey cow and an example of “greatness.” Awful isn’t it?

@Needaripeavocado

It does look quite thin, it could be ill.. but yes id let animal rescue people know, maybe try and feed it in the meantime with something

Please don't feed her, you have no idea what is being done or how that could impact her care. Report, don't interfere.

Doesn’t matter how much grass there is if the poor animal isn’t eating. Report, please.

Oh dear, poor old cow is skin and bone. Surrounded by lush grass though so I think probably suffering some kind of illness.

@CalishataFolkart

It could be ill so best to report, but dairy cows can be very thin as well especially when they are at the end of their “useful” life. This picture is an award-winning Jersey cow and an example of “greatness.” Awful isn’t it?

Yes, it is

Jesus! Why keep a cow in that state?! Absolutely report it and if you can get access to it take it a few apples in the morning xx

I would definitely investigate more but the poor thing might just be ill. One of my animals looked horrendous at the end of his life as he was ill, losing weight, couldn't groom etc but I cared for him well and it would have been very upsetting if anyone had said I was neglecting him. Hope the cow is alright.

I don’t see how it can be starving, there’s plenty grass in the field. That’s why I wondered if it was ill.

I don’t what to cause trouble for the farmer if he’s actually treating a sick animal.

What are the other cows in the field like? If they are all a good weight I'd likely this one is old and/or unwell. If they are all thin, there may be a farmer issue.

It could be starving because it can't eat the grass though. You say it's a dairy cow? Does he take it in to milk it? Or is it possible he has just left it unattended. There is another cow in the background, how many others are in the field? What is their condition like?

If he is treating a sick animal you won't make trouble for him by reporting it - he will be able to show he is doing right

Whatever the reason she's very thin, even for a dairy cow.

I'd report that.

The cow is in a field surrounded by what cows eat, grass. It is a holstein which is a rather boney breed, but yes it is very thin. The likely cause is Johne's disease, which is incurable and easily spread between cows, the excessive amount of poo around the rear end is also a strong clue. The only cure is to slaughter the animal and stop the disease spreading. If you are concerned please report it, you can also report it to DEFRA.

The RSPCA officers will speak to the farmer and find out if it's ill/being treated or just living out its last days.

I would report it just in case it IS being abused....

There was one other cow in beside it that’s in a similar condition. There’s more of the herd in an adjacent field that you can’t see from the road, so I don’t know what condition they are in.

They’ve been moved from their normal field because they are cutting grass and making silage.

That girl does look thin but the triangle area is known as the paralumbar fossa and it’s normal for cows.

However, I will say, if you are EVER worried about the welfare of an animal, child, woman, man etc etc please please please report it! Yes, everything may be fine but it is so much better than any alternative. You have a good heart, OP and the farmer won’t know it was you that reported and most would be fine about proving her health condition (if she has one) and treatment plan.

Thanks for looking out for the cow’s welfare

@WhatWouldDominicDo

What are the other cows in the field like? If they are all a good weight I'd likely this one is old and/or unwell. If they are all thin, there may be a farmer issue.

Old?! Farmed animals don't get a chance to become old. Dairy cows are killed by the time they are 4-5, when they could naturally live 15-20 years.

But living beings do age rapidly when you rape them, and steal their babies,and their milk repeatedly.

Thank you @Pellewsmate mate. Yes they are Holstein Friesians but these two look much MUCH worse than the others of the same breed on adjacent farms.

Are there any animal charities nearby?

Could you send them the photos and the location of the field where the cow is and ask for their help (and send them a donation please if you can afford it)