In Summer 2020, Barn Sanctuary was contacted about a female calf on a dairy farm in Wisconsin. Mabel was born with leg contractions and couldn’t walk. She was also a freemartin, a term used to describe a sterile female cow, aka a female who will not produce milk. The farmer, uncertain of what to do with Mabel given her mobility issues, contacted us.
Mabel was immediately taken to a veterinary hospital for a full evaluation where we learned that she also has a heart murmur. Her heart murmur is likely why she’s growing slower than most calves her age. We are optimistic, though, that it won’t be life threatening! Many animals live full and happy lives with heart murmurs.
Since being rescued by Barn Sanctuary, Mabel has been fitted for prosthetics and has daily, multimodality physical therapies. She is adjusting well to her new home.
She is a curious, loving, sweet and playful young gal. She loves her fresh alfalfa and her new big sister Cora Jr.! These two are already bonded as they share a stall and go through physical therapy together. We hope to see these two enjoying thousands of sunrises and sunsets at Barn Sanctuary in the years to come.
Your sponsorship will help provide physical therapy, daily care, regular medical checkups, and any unexpected emergency care. Please sponsor Mabel to provide the care she deserves!