Not a leg to stand on!

Calf walks again on false legs

A calf who lost her two back hooves to frostbite is back frolicking in the fields of New Mexico - thanks to a pair of prosthetic limbs.

 

The calf, named Meadow, was found a few months ago by rancher Nancy Dickenson and her stepdaughter, Martha. She had lost both her rear hooves and half of her ears to severe frostbite. Having experience of rescuing animals, the Dickensons bought Meadow from her owner, and set about getting her back on her feet.

They persuaded veterinarians and students at Colorado State University to help her - and they obliged, amputating part of her hind legs and fitting her with prosthetics.

Dr. Robert Callan of Colorado State said he thought this was the first time a bovine calf has been given double prosthetics - the procedure is rarely carried out on animals which are generally destined for the slaughterhouse.

Not that Meadow is likely to end up on anybody's dinner plate soon - Nancy Dickenson said: 'A few people have asked "Is she going to be beef?" and I said "Are you kidding? This is my newest baby."'