Semi Crash

So, it's been 17 days since I've posted last and I don't have a single excuse.  January was supposed to be markedly slower than December and I don't feel like I've had a spare second.  Work has seemed very long lately.  It's been a good week but the days have been stretched out this month for some reason.  I ended up being on-call when it wasn't my weekend and everything has been a little off since then.  I was sick last weekend and I'm continuing to battle with effects of fever spells and severe head congestion. 

Yesterday morning at 3am I got a call from authorities in the next county with an emergency crash.  A semi-truck full of cattle had overturned and they needed veterinary help immediately.  The trailer contained 105 feeder cattle ranging from about 450 to 700 pounds each.  None of the closer veterinarians reported - saying they couldn't handle a situation of that magnitude.  (I'm thinking - this is not going to be good) It was hectic but the attending authorities had the situation well organized so that everything was ready for mortality checks, exams and euthanasia.  Two calves got loose and ran into town.   An additional calf went the other way and got hit by a car.  Two car wrecks were direct results of the semi crash. 

Needless to say, it was a very long 19 hour day until I got to catch some sleep.  I'm waiting for 2011 to be the year I get more rest.  It's not happening yet.  In addition, the full moon this week has made it the ideal time for all animals to have birthing problems.  Monday alone was a bulldog c-section, pig dystocia, a calf coming backwards along with several other emergencies.  Tuesday was the semi crash early, early in the morning as well as another canine C-section, a lame horse emergency and several walk-in emergencies along with lots of surgeries.  I'm hoping the rest of the week will be full of fewer surprises. 

Overturned cattle semi

Holes cut in top of semi to get the cattle out