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.

Yes sadly the cow is very emaciated, and looks unwell. It seems to be alone in that field too. I would report this, although amazed that a farmer would not attend to it.

First of all please DO NOT feed this cow. Depending on what's going on you could potentially kill her.

Looks very thin to me but I'm looking at tiny pics on my phone. If there's only two in one pasture it's likely they're being quarantined so the farmer is probably aware (and treating them.)

In my village I'd post on the village Facebook group and find out very quickly what was going on.

I also think it sounds like they have been quarantined apart from the others. I would tend to ask around about it or the farmer directly if he or she is a neighbour.

Found out who the farmer is and tell them your concerned.

Find*

Our local trading standards department has an animal health team dealing with farms and farmed animals, so you can report to them. Or Defra. I suspect the RSPCA would just pass you on to them.

She is very thin, even for a Holstein Friesian. She could be old which is why she is so thin, or could have fluke, worms etc.

I'd report it, anyway. I've lived on a farm all my life and I've never seen any of our dairy cows anywhere as near as thin as her.

I recall many years ago when young seeing identical cows absolutely stick thin! I ran home and told my father who worked with cattle and who was familiar with all the local farms. He said that they were dairy cows and although they looked shocking they were perfectly normal! I recall being horrified and arguing that the farmer was starving them however he was insistent that this is how dairy cattle look! Am hoping this is correct!

Gosh op, I would be concerned. I see lots of cows living where I do and none look like this. Could be ill do it either can't eat or it can but the food isn't processed properly. Where I am there are a few locals who know the ins and outs of all the farm animals, does anyone like this spring to mind who you can ask? If not I'd be tempted to put in an anonymous report.

Good grief! I'd get onto the RSPCA pretty quickly if I were you. It looks like it's starving.

That cow is seriously sideways.

Dairy cows are very thin, and their bones do protrude. However, and it’s not easy to see from the small photos, this cow does look exceptionally think, particularly hind quarters. It could well be that she is being treated for some ailment. She’s certainly not short of grass.

Do you know the farmer? Why not take a wander by and ask about this cow?

dairy cows do tend to look like this all skin and bone but could well be these two are in quarantine Farmers do actually care about animal welfare Ring RSPCA and let them deal with it if you are worried

It could be a number of things and if its older and toothless, as is one of mine, She may well have trouble ripping up the grass to eat. I supplementary feed mine.

She could also need a drench (worming) or she might have built up a worm intolerance to the particular drench being used.

She might have a twisted gut in which case she would have dropped condition fast.

As the farm is in your area, do you know anyone who would know the farmer to either ask them or to get an idea if s/he is approachable?

I really hate the idea of anyone being reported, but of course your personal safety must come first. But please do try and ask about if someone knows the owner. :)

Regretful yes,those awful vegans again, giving a shit about the the abuse of billions of animals....

If there is only her and one other in the field together and the rest are elsewhere then it's likely she is v old/sick and has been split off from the rest of the herd - quite likely because she is leaving the farm and it's easier for loading the wagon when it arrives.

If this is the case then the farmer is being nice by letting her have a field for her last few days - most would put her in a shed to make loading as easy as possible.

Do report if you are concerned, if you don’t feel you can drop by the farm and ask. Many farmers are happy to chat and are glad of local people showing an interest / looking out for their animals.

A few things to point out / straighten out based on other posts:

• milking cows are all female
• farmers can also be female
• cows eat grass, not apples
• dairy cows are not killed at 4/5 years old.

Hope you get some answers, op. A case of abuse is very unlikely here, but of course it’s never worth the risk and you would be right to follow up your concerns.

So are dairy cows allowed to live out their lives to a natural age?

I would have thought these cows would have been separated becuase of infectious illness e.g johnes disease. I would try talking to the farmer before calling the rspca.

So are dairy cows allowed to live out their lives to a natural age?

No they're culled when they become non-productive - often anywhere from 3-5 years old

@SHAR0N the cow is definitely unwell and it sounds as if she's been separated from the others so the farmer is aware. If concerned you can report anonymously - the RSPCA will investigate but only take action if there is genuine neglect

Just past it's milk producing age, so old and scrawny. Or the disease mentioned above.
Ime several in a dairy herd look pretty scrawny. Also some have arthritis, they are milk producing machines.
Stop drinking milk.

So much rubbish written on this thread

So much rubbish written on this thread Thanks Derxa, that's clarified a few points

Thanks Derxa, that's clarified a few points Glad to be of help