We are excited to spotlight our magnificent cow residents in this second edition of our “Species Spotlight”. Cows are known for their gentle nature and rich emotional lives, and we look forward to exploring their world with you. Each quarter, a Care Team specialist will guide you through their experiences and insights, and this month, our resident cow specialist, Anna, will take us on a journey into the lives of our bovine friends.
If you’re interested in sponsoring one of our wonderful cow residents, please visit our animal sponsorship page to learn more!
“The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated.” — Mahatma Gandhi
Anna: Our Cow Specialist
Anna: “As the cow specialist at Luvin Arms, I have developed a deep bond with our bovine residents. My journey started with a passion for animals, and my experiences with sanctuaries and conservation biology have shaped my role here.
Laxmi, who tragically passed away in December due to Malignant Catarrhal Fever (MCF), a rare and devastating virus, will always hold a special place in my heart. Her reserved nature and quiet strength were a testament to her unique spirit. I also share a close connection with Maybell, whose affectionate and playful personality never fails to bring joy. These two remarkable cows represent the diverse and lovable traits of our residents, and their presence reminds me daily of the beauty and individuality of each animal in our care.”
Meet the Cow Residents of Luvin Arms – At Luvin Arms, we are home to eight remarkable cows, each with their own unique story:
Devi:
**Breed – Holstein
**Rescue date – December 14, 2021
**Age – Estimated 2 years old when rescued, which would make her 4 now
Tito:
**Breed – Jersey
**Rescue date – June 3, 2017
**Age – 7 years old
Samantha:
**Breed – Holstein
**Rescue date – November 7, 2020
**Age – 4 years old
Marley:
**Breed – Holstein
**Rescue date – August 8, 2020
**Age – 4 years old
Lucky:
**Breed – Our best guess is that he is a Speckled Park mix.
**Rescue date – October 18, 2021
**His age and birthday are unknown
Milo:
**Breed – Hereford
**Rescue date – Milo was rescued in 2017
**Age – 8 years old.
Maybell:
**Breed – Jersey and Brown Swiss mix
**Rescue date – May 31, 2023
Did You Know…
Cows Have Three Eyelids:
One fascinating and lesser-known fact about cows is that they have three eyelids. The third eyelid, the nictitating membrane, is a thin, protective layer that keeps their eyes clean and moist. This eyelid can move horizontally across the eye, providing extra protection from dust, debris, and harsh weather conditions. It’s a fascinating adaptation that ensures cows have clear vision in various environments.
Stomachs with Four Chambers:
Cows have a four-chambered stomach. The chambers are the rumen, the reticulum, the omasum, and the abomasum. The rumen is the most important chamber, and cows are classified as ruminants. The rumen can hold up to 25 gallons of food storage. Inside the rumen, the food material ferments. Because of this fermentation process, carbon dioxide and methane are produced, which needs to be released. So, if you have ever wondered why cows burp so much, this is why! Other animals that are classified as ruminants are goats, sheep, deer, antelope, and giraffes.
Unique Teeth:
Cows don’t have upper front teeth. Instead, they have lower incisors and an upper “dental pad” that their lower teeth grind against to help them chew their food.
The Importance of Hoof Care:
Regular hoof trimming prevents pain and ensures mobility. The cows’ hooves are professionally trimmed about once a year, and the care team upkeeps them between trims. When they are professionally trimmed, the cows go on a tilt table. This is the safest option for both the cows and the people trimming their hooves.
Hoof Anatomy:
Cow’s hooves are made up of two claws. Two smaller dew claws are also located on the backside of their hoof.
Life Expectancy – At the Sanctuary vs. in the Food Industry:
The natural lifespan of a cow is typically 15-20 years, but in our sanctuary, this can look a bit different. All of our cows have come from some form of meat or dairy industry, which means they weren’t born into ideal conditions, and their mothers were likely not in the best health to give birth. Because of this, it is unlikely that most of our cows will reach their full natural lifespan. However, they will live significantly longer than they would have in their previous circumstances.
In the food industry, the life expectancy of cows is far shorter than 15-20 years. Female dairy cows are typically slaughtered between 4.5 and 6 years of age, when their milk production declines and they are deemed no longer useful to the dairy industry. Veal calves, tragically, are slaughtered as young as 18-20 weeks old.
Cow Horns:
Cow’s horns are made of keratin and bone. Part of their horns contain blood vessels and nerves. Their horns also connect to their sinus cavities. While not all cows have horns there are several reasons why this may be. Some cattle are what is called a “polled breed”, which means they naturally do not grow horns. This is common in cattle that are raised for meat. However, there are also cattle that are born with horn buds, but these buds are prevented from developing further. In these situations, the cattle have had a procedure done called disbudding. This procedure is performed on 94% of dairy cattle in the U.S. and prevents a calf from having its horns develop from the small buds into larger horns. In the U.S. this is done within the first 8 weeks of life with either heat or a paste to stop the horn growth.
Care Highlight
Milo’s Story: Overcoming Eyelid Cancer
In 2023, Milo had a unique battle related to his third eyelid, squamous cell carcinoma cancer. This was a condition that, if left untreated, could have severely impacted his quality of life. Thanks to our veterinary team’s quick intervention and skilled care, Milo underwent surgery to remove his third eyelid.
The surgery was successful, and Milo has since recovered fully. Despite losing one of his eyelids, he lives a happy and active life at the sanctuary.
Current Medications and Medical Treatments
Currently, our medications and medical treatments are for Tito and Milo. Tito currently receives 3,000 mg Gabapentin 2XDay and 3,000 Amantadine 1XDay in PM. Both medications are given because of his knees. His knees turn inward, which causes discomfort and speeds up the progression of arthritis. He also receives an adequan injection every month, and this is to help combat his arthritis. Gabapentin and amantedine are powdered, which he easily takes in a bowl of snacks and peanut butter. The adequan is given to him while he is in the cow chute. It is a subcutaneous injection between the skin and muscle and is given in his neck/shoulder region.
Milo has an abscess on his left shoulder that we noticed about four months ago. In the beginning, we had to drain and flush it daily, if not twice a day. It has healed almost completely since then, and you can barely see the lump now. Although it has healed significantly, we still monitor the size in his treatment chart every day and apply swat to keep the flies away. We also laser the area. This helps with blood circulation and inflammation in the area.
Enrichment Highlight
Clicker Play for Enrichment and Cooperative Care
Clicker Play is an engaging enrichment tool that enhances our residents’ lives. It uses a clicker sound to signal and reinforce desired behaviors, creating an enjoyable and interactive learning experience.
Here’s how Clicker Play works:
1. Observe a behavior.
2. Click to signal the desired behavior.
3. Reward the behavior.
This approach enables us to teach various behaviors, from targeting objects to spinning in circles, and supports our residents in cooperating with routine care. Our goal is to encourage specific actions while fostering positive, enriching interactions that enhance their overall well-being.
Our cow residents, including Samantha, actively participate in Clicker Play. For example, Samantha enjoys the challenge and engagement of clicker training. This adds variety to her routine and strengthens her connection with her caregivers. This program enhances their quality of life and supports their participation in cooperative care tasks.
We hope you enjoyed our cow “Species Spotlight” and find it brings you closer to understanding and appreciating the unique qualities of cows and all farmed animals we care for at Luvin Arms and worldwide. Stay tuned for more stories and insights in our upcoming editions!
