While the cow is in dorsal recumbency, she often kicks with her rear legs. What could I do to avoid this hazard?
A. Whenever possible, to ensure both the safety and the security of the surgeon and the assistants, the cow’s rear legs and front legs should be secured to an immovable object. Many veterinarians find that a tractor or skid steer loader are useful aides, because they can be easily maneuvered into place to hold the cow in secure dorsal recumbency. Some veterinarians report that they use such machinery to provide some lift to the rear legs, which helps to better position the abomasum in its normal anatomical location.
