Decision Time For Our Rescued Bison!
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- Опубликовано: 11 дек 2021
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If Lumpy is suffering you know what the decision has to be. No animal should suffer.
Yes I agree . If lumpy is suffering, you know what the humane thing to do. Send him over the rain bow bridge. He can roam the Heavens being healthy & free.
Better to get it over quickly. In the wild he be the first to get picked off by wolves or Mother Nature.
As much as I hate to say it, if he were mine, I would have to put Lumpy down. It’s only fair to think of him first!
I've fallen in love with Lumpy. I don't want to see him in pain suffering.
i agree if the surgry is not an option and wont save him and he is suffering think the best thing to do is put him down
I have always said, the last kind thing we can do for our animals is to not let them suffer.
I know you will do the right thing for Lumpy and for you.
Dusty, as an old farm boy, the best and most ethical decision for a large animal who's become lame is to put them down. It will only continue to deteriorate, and it's best to do it sooner than later so that his quality of life doesn't get worse. Make the right choice and you'll feel better for it. God bless from Ohio.
Cows get better from steroids and it's worth a try, my big Angus bull got better with treatment kept in a corral for six weeks and maybe the buff will too and with elinore the lady buff will keep him company
You have extended his life and you treated him well. The decision will be ruff but we are behind you 100%.
You are a compassionate bison farmer. You have given Lumpy a new home when he was rescued. You tried to see if surgery was an option. You will make the right decision and your followers will back you!
Lumpy was a free boxing put him in the freezer and quit worrying about it that's God's way of giving you food bless you Steve from North Carolina
That's right! From Montgomery al 🙏 ❤
I am so sorry about poor baby lumpy first of all. Know you have done and are still doing for him. Hate to say it but I figure your planning on putting him down so he doesn't suffer. I totally understand that decision if that's what your planning on. I too can6sta d seeing any animal suffer.
What ever decision you make will be best for lumpy. This you choice. Good luck and take care .
It’s time for Lumpy to become bison burgers. Its the most compassionate thing to do for him.
The way he stands, even looks like Lumpy is in a lot of pain. He’s suffering. I’m sorry. I think you’re going to have to put him down. You’ll do the right thing and at the right time. This bothers you but if he’s suffering it is inevitable if you aren’t going to try the surgery.
Dusty you’ve done right by Lumpy since day one. As hard as it may be it’s time to say goodbye. Praying for you all.
Poor Lumpy. He has suffered long enough. Whatever you do is better than he previous owner. God Bless You.
Dusty, u saved Lumpy and have done him right, u as a bison farmer u know what is the best for him. Whatever u decide I am behind ur decision. As always God bless stay safe until the next video 😍
Sometimes loving a animal means making the hardest decisions. Lumpy doesn’t need to be in pain n suffer. If there’s nothing that can be done for the limp or if it doesn’t go away then he needs to run with the buffaloes in Heaven
I agree it's unfortunate but it's farm life, sometimes it just doesn't work out. 😕
I agree, he is suffering now, he may not have been suffering from the "lump" even as serious as it was, he has become healthy. It might be time to consider freezer camp.
you mean bison
Maybe, as long as he doesn't end up running with the [bison] in the happy hunting ground. That place never works out well for them.
This is what I’ve been taught as a veterinarian, “No animal should die without first experiencing the benefits of steroids.” If you have time to allow him to recover in the company of one other mild natured bison and give him a steroid, he might recover nicely from the limp. Of course, seek the advice of your personal veterinarian first.
This was my thought as well. If he can be “dry lotted” with a mild mannered bison, even a female, if he couldn’t have the equivalent of stall rest. That front lot would provide everything he’d need and be small enough to not strain his leg.
That being said, if all options are exerted, he shouldn’t keep suffering if recovery isn’t possible. But steroids and pain meds can do a lot towards healing. But then the pros and cons come in if if he’s a pet or will make meat. If he will be butchered for meat due to his injury, certain meds have withdrawal periods.
Eleanor gets picked on maybe put them 2 together. Special needs pasture
Yes at least maybe try some steroid etc see if he recovers and maybe that little cow buffalo would keep him happy and her too never know till you try
Limpy Lumpy, the Rescued Bison, sounds like a title to a childrens book. Maybe you could tell his story and he could be in Bison heaven where he could roam freely, graze on pastures with all those gone before him and not be in pain. A teaching tool for kids and his story would live on.
I was raised on a farm...but my dad wouldn't let any animal suffer. He is hurting...gonna be a tough decision, but you know in your heart what you have to do. You have given him a good life...:(
He’s a very special guy. He has done his job on earth-taught compassion to all of us. Maybe he deserves to run “whole” in heaven. My support for whatever you choose. Great caring hearts have loved him. ❤️
Dusty, you have given Lumpy the best life he has had. If you feel he can't be helped then you know deep in your heart what needs to be done. We all can tell how much you love and care for these majestic animals my ancestors loved. Do not feel guilty. It is as act of kindness to let him go. Donate his meat to those who need it. Check with the different reservations to see who would benefit with his donations. This way he will be revered, cherished and remembered.
Just a suggestion.
My prayers are with you. Hugs from Texas.
I'm very emotional when it comes to any animal suffering. I admit that I cried watching Lumpy try to go up the gravel, in the end of the video. It's breaking my heart to see him struggle.
It's never an easy decision to put an animal out of it's misery, but the poor guy shouldn't suffer any longer. You are an amazing man and take such good care of all of your herd. You gave Lumpy the best care you could possibly give him. I know you will make the right decision.
So sorry, he's been given such a good life by you guys. Being a farm girl, I've seen tough decisions for animals. The leg is definitely causing Lumpy pain, putting him out of his misery isn't a bad decision.
I believe all the comments support the next step but we appreciate how you engage everyone in the process ☺️👍🏻
Dusty, do what's best for Lumpy!!!!! If you believe he's in a lot of pain and can't get no better, then show him true love and let him go!!! I just had to let one of my cats go. I couldn't stand to see him in such pain and he was hollering every move. I was raised that if you truly love someone, or animal, then you should let them go if it makes them happy. You have done for Lumpy and gave him the best that you could. You don't have anything to regret! We are behind you with whatever you decide. 💜
My only suggestion about LUMPY is process him and put him in the freezer. It is too expensive to keep any livestock around with no chance to recover. Some people will complain and not understand you are in a business not running an old bison home. You care for your stock as best that you can and at the end of the day thats all you can do.
I agree. I responded to a commenter on another video that farms and ranches were not sanctuaries but businesses that raised food. She had assumed he would be put out to pasture for the rest of his life and was shocked that as not the case.
Thanks for the Lumpdate. I think we all understand what needs to be done. Thanks for giving him a chance and a better place to live out his days among his own kind
Dusty it's hard to make these decisions. However I wouldn't hesitate to put him down. He really is suffering. I guarantee you will sleep better knowing he is no longer in pain and agony. You can be proud of yourself for your efforts on his behalf. You will find on this bison journey, that you will have many more instances like this. Best of luck. Your doing great!
When you decide its time, ultimately, you are around him and most of us will support your desision.
I’ve read over all the comments and it look like you decision will be honored. You are a good person care for these beautiful animals, you will make a good decision. Blessings
Dusty,your compassion is so refreshing. It seems time to put Lumpy to rest. I don’t know Bison like you do but I wonder if the injury makes him more prone to being picked on since he is low in the herd already. If Lumpy can feed your family then that makes sense to me. It’s the circle of life. You know what is best for your family and herd. Nothing but support from me. ❤️
@@monalucero8022 but this is an animal in pain. As he grows older and bigger, the amount of weight those front joints will go up exponentially. Even if this is a small injury that can heal, the chance of arthritis is tremendous. Lumpy has already had a much better life than his original deadbeat owner gave him. Since the hernia IS getting worse and now he has a front leg injury, the compassionate thing to do IMO is to release his spirit and not let him waste away in pain. Much love from Oklahoma.
@@monalucero8022 you don't want an animal to suffer. As you can tell Dusty has compassion for his animals, look what he did regarding his hernia, took him to the University Vet. But now it is time to make the big decisions, how could you Mona want to let this beautiful animal continue to suffer? Watch him trying to walk, and because of his weaknesses the other males will continue to pick on him. Poor thing, so sad! So sorry Dusty you are forced to make this decision but I understand and agree with what needs to be done!
@@monalucero8022 so you would have someone put down probably healthy pets but keep a wild animal who is injured and in pain alive to deteriorate slowly to a horrible death... that makes lots of sense. I support Cross Timbers and Dusty to do the most humane thing for Lumpy. Lumpy is suffering and noone and nothing should have to suffer! Much love from Oklahoma
@@monalucero8022 No amount of Go Fund Me money can fix the hernia. I know its sad when it comes time to put farm animals down. Even when we raise them for food, we are human and its sad. However, letting an animal suffer just so we can avoid that sad end is a horrible thing to do. The best thing we can do for animals we live is to NOT wait for them to die slowly and in agony.
@@monalucero8022 I have a great idea, you go to Oklahoma, pick up Lumpy and put him in your backyard.
It's better to go ahead and put him down rather than let him be in pain or allow him to get worse. It's always a tough decision but right is right at this point.
Exactly that's what I'm saying too now
You gave him a new chance , if he’s suffering now all the time you have to do the right thing but I know you will ❣️❣️
Feel better Dusty, thanks for taking us along on your journey 🤠
Simply as a matter of kindness and practicality it may be time for Lumpy to go to Freezer camp. He's never likely to get significantly better and more than likely will continue to have more and more problems.
Lumpy is a precious one you showed true care and compassion. You gave him many gifts that will be noted over the Bridge of Life.
You have been good to him. He’s your animal to see much more than us. You do whatever is the most humane for him.
I'm joining you late in watching the video and can only share from my personal experience. From age 15-24 I went to three US specialists to save my life and underwent over 20 invasive surgeries. When I was 17, I was on a ventilator and 50/50 chance of making it. To make it short, I wouldn't put my dog or any animal what I went through. You're a good man and know you want the best for Lumpy. But just like horses, when their legs are injured on top of an unfixable hernia, the best act can be the last act of kindness.
You've given him his best life but sometimes prolonging the end is not in the animals best interest. It's time to send lumpy to freezer camp. Be sure to share with the elders and make sure that the whole animal is put to good use so that even in the end he fulfills his purpose on this earth.
Lumpy's injuries may make him unsuitable for "freezer camp" due to the fact that he could be fighting infection.
@@melindagreen3688 easily determined and if so then antibiotics can be given.
@@edmartin875 Antibiotics would also make him unsuitable for "freezer camp".
You'll do the right thing.
He does not need to suffer. He is a beautiful animal and you know what the vet said. I know you will do what is right for Lumpy,
God Bless you Dusty for all you have been doing for Lumpy. He does look good with his weight gain & now with his limp it will be harder for him also the course of nature & history will he be able to continue with his best life you have given him without pain? It will be hard but you will do what's right. As I am sure many of us hear have had to make the decision at one time or another make that decision. Love you Lumpy you sweetheart!💕🦬 Love you Dusty you've got this. Take care & see you next time👋🕊🙏🇺🇲🤗🎄❤
Your veterinarian will know what can be done, and guide you to what should be done. We humans face these kinds of decisions for our pets, or livestock. Do the best you can for Lumpy, we understand.
Dusty you will do what is best for him when that time comes!
We trust you Dusty. Sometimes Freezer Camp is the kindest option!
Quality of life. If he is suffering then do the compassionate thing for him.
You will make the right choice about Lumpy
You have blessed him with a beautiful life with your herd and family
Lumpy we love you
G'day Dusty, one of the reasons I love your channel so much is the fact that you really care about those beautiful creatures and you bless us with being able to be apart of your life too. You are a smart man and you know already that no animal should suffer. Having surgery may or may not help little lumpy out. He may still be the runt so to speak after surgery and still have a hard time with the heathier bulls. Personally I think the last act of kindness is required now. In the wild, isn't the weakest always removed with most creatures to ensure only the best gene line is continued? Anyway, I know you will do what is best for 'your family' as you have always done. God bless
Hard decisions but we know you've tried your best.
You know in your heart what's right. You know you don't like to see him suffering. So it's off to freezer camp if he's able. God bless! You know what's best! As a farmer also it's the hardest decision to make.
The decision should be made sooner than later or the decision could be made on its own and you may feel you should have acted sooner. No need for lumpy to suffer and effect the rest of the herd. They may have some feelings too. Trust your gut and take action. Your audience will understand. God bless.
Agreed, but I wouldn't send him to freezer camp because his hernia may be infected. I would just have him put to sleep and find a nice resting place for him.
@@edithsavoy7156 A simple blood test can determine if he has an infection or not.
POOR LIMPY LUMPY. YOU KNOW THE RIGHT DECISION TO MAKE DUSTY. GOD BLESS YOU ALWAYS MY FRIEND.
SO GLAD PEOPLE LIKE YOU ARE TRYING TO BRING THEM BACK, YOU 'LL DO THE RIGHT THING FOR LUMPY. NOT ALL OUR CHOICES ARE PAINLESS. GOOD LUCK
Sadly, I think poor Lump needs to graduate to freezer camp before Winter gets too hard and it causes him to go down quickly.
I actually gasped when I saw him limping like that. How sad that was to see. Go with your heart and your knowledge and expertise on what to do with that precious guy, Dusty.
Get well soon.
I've been on a farm most of my life. We never gave up on a animal unless it was suffering to much. Mostly we gave them the best life as possible. Lumpy is s disabled bison only, not his fault. But I trust you and respect you will do whats right. Not convenient. You and your family bless us so much. We pray for you daily. We pray for lumpy as well.
Do all you can for Lumpy (as you have already, as you have for all your animals). Bring in a vet to have a look and (if it's possible) get an xray and see what's happening in that leg. If there is nothing you can do and if he is in pain, you know that it is time for 'the last act of kindness'. Like many, I don't want to see Lumpy go, but I can't stand to see him suffer. When you get all the information, you'll know what you have to do, and we will all support whatever decision you make because we trust you'll do what's best for Lumpy. 🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰
I know this might sound crass , but if he is suffering, it's time for the hard decision, know one likes to put an animal down , You have tried everything in your power and sometimes that just isn't enough to save one , just don't let anything go to waste if possible
Dusty, you have done everything you can do for lumpy lovingly. Please make the decision and put lumpy out of pain. Love you guys and this channel God Bless you
Sorry for Limpys injuries Dusty. I’m sure you will make the best decision for him. Sometimes we have to do the hard things and release animals from pain but we know it’s the best thing for that animal. Hugs
I believe in your heart ❤ the answer is let him not suffer. You and family have given Lumpy the much needed love and care you could. Blessed, was the day he was rescued and given the medical attention. In the end it was not enough to relief his suffering. Behind you and your family all the way.
I think everyone watching knows you will tend to Lumpy the best way you can. You have so many Bison ranch friends that I am sure you have or will be talking to and considering their opinions. I am sorry he is going through this and sorry you have to go through and decide what is best for him. Bless you for your love and dedication to these animals. Good luck and best wishes.
I also hope you get to feeling better soon. I know Kevin will give you good advice too.
God bless Lumpy. Please don't let him suffer. I know you will make the right decision.
As a hospice care giver I think he knows he's loved and ready to feel pain free in the safety of his home with you guys he's been blessed...
Poor Lumpy! You did right by him and I know you will make the best choice for him! Prayers!
You’ve given lumpy the best life he could ask for time to run with bison in heaven n return his thanks as meat for the family
Sweety if he’s in pain just don’t make him suffer ! You have done your best by him !
You are so compassionate to Lumpy. At some places he would have been put down already! It's your decision! Basically if his situation goes South to the point where there's no going back, that's the time. If he were a horse, he'd be in horse heaven already! Thank You for trying do the most for him!
So sorry about Lumpy. He's suffering and I believe the time has come to end his pain. It's a sad decision, but the right one. God bless
Sometimes the most loving thing we can do is to let him go.
Lumpy is suffering, it hurts me to see him in pain, we understand what you need to do, God Bless Lumpy
Prayers for Lumpy. We all trust your decision.
You have given him his best life . Quality of life. I worry the others will see he's a weak link & my hurt him due to that's how it goes in the wild. You have served him well.
You know that if Lumpy is obvious pain, he will thank you for the very hard decision you need to make Dusty.. Thank you for all the loving care you and the gang at Cross Timber Bison have given him . Sending heaps of hugs and love and prayers from Australia 🇦🇺 xoxoxo
Hi Dusty. You will make the right choice for Lumpy. Prayers for Ya'll God will guide you 🙏🙏💖
First, a tip on the sore throat. Gargle with salt water two or three times a day. It works wonders and stops a cold in its tracks. Be sure to use sea salt though. Don’t used iodized table salt.
For Limpy Lumpy, I would separate him from the herd, along with one, or maybe two smaller bison and put them in a small corral, where he can’t run around too much. Keep them in there a couple of weeks and see if he improves, and if not, maybe it’s time for freezer camp.
My opinion too.
I would try this also...it could just be a bad bruise...I'd give him a week or two, watching to be sure it gets better not worse...and if it's not getting better, you know it's time to let him go over the rainbow bridge, and stop hurting. He has had such good care, good food and hay...you know you have done right by him!
People have been using table salt for gargling for colds, after dental extractions, etc. for a long, long time.
I think that you have done the best thing for lumpy you gave him the best chance of life that he could have. It's up to you. God bless you.
You gave him the best chance, but if he is suffering it is time to release him back to the universe.
You are very compassionate about all the animals in your care. That's why you have all of us spellbound and waiting for videos.
Lots of hugs from Missouri
Awwwww poor Lumpy. You know you provided him with a safe place and gave him a chance to be a Bison. Part of the responsibility of owning animals is to recognize when they’re suffering. It’s not an easy choice but the question is are you keeping him for yourself or for him. God Bless
Dusty you already know what you have to do - the emotion is in your voice.
I wouldn't want Lumpy to suffer, as sad as it would be, he might be better off down. You did the best you could with him. Your compassion for these beast immeasurable 💞💞
Thanks for the update on lumpy everyone knows you will do the right thing by him love from Kingston Queensland Australia
Awww poor Lumpy did he twist his knee??😢....I'm so glad you've given him a good home....
If I could help out with any medical bills for him I would do it in a heart beat ....but I'm worried it's getting about that time to make the right decision for him...remember you want to do what's best for him so he's not hurting....I'll pray for you and your family I know this is hard for you...❤🙏
You did your best. Time for Bison Steaks. Thank you for all you and the family do.
Get well Dusty. Poor BISON lumpy. We love yah. Hi baby Brooks 👶
I know you will do what is best for him so he doesn’t suffer. You have so good by him so far. But, sometimes the best decision for critters in our care, is the hardest for us.
I'm sorry you and Lumpy are not well this week.
I don't have enough information to make a decision about Lumpy, but I do know you will make the right one.
Huge love 💖 from Canada.
God bless and may you have the peace and comfort you need to do the right thing.
Thanks for sharing.
I watched the video on the rescue, you can tell he's had great care, you know what has to be done, he can live as lumpy, but not limping, he has a lot of weight on his legs, and will get heavier, he can't make it with a bad leg. God Bless you, do what is best for him.
You have done what you can , and it's all about the quality of life. I'm sure everyone give you so much kudos for doing what you could. So now it's time for lumpy to provide for others. You have to see it from his side, so hard for him to get around. I'm sure you will do the right thing for him.
You have to do what's best for the animal, and as a bison farmer you already know in your gut what to do. My heart is with you. 🙏❤🙏
I was raised on a farm in Indiana. You have done all you can for him and should be commend for that. You should not let him suffer. These decisions are always hard as much as we love them. Please do the right thing for him. Don' t let him suffer any longer.
You will do what lumpy needs. He loves being part of the herd he fights through the pain as he is a strong buffalo. Whatever you decide i am with you. I love your bison and how you your wife and little brooksie loves the bison
Thanks for sharing Lumpy's condition. We all know that you will make the decision that will be with Lumpy's best interest. GOD BLESS Y'ALL.
We certainly don't want Lumpy to suffer. As an owner it's our responsibility to do the best for the animal. God put him in your care for a reason and you've done the best one can do. Allow him to be a blessing to others.
Hello Dusty! My son and I love watching your channel, as well as watching Arms Family Homestead. I know the surgeries will likely be expensive, but I think you'll feel a lot better if you give Lumpy that option. He deserves that chance and that way, you'll know that no matter what happens, you'll have done everything you could. Praying for you, Lumpy, all your animals at Cross Timbers, and all animals.
I am going to answer for Dusty, having experienced it. About the surgery for hernia, the problem with it is healing, trying to doctor an animal that is effectively still wild, but even more the incision itself. I had a colt with one. Just the size of a small orange, but still, the vet said they often don't make it after surgery, because of the weight of the body on the incision. Because he was just a baby, he did survive, but it was still a long recovery, and that was a colt that was docile. I did have to sedate him for about a week, to prevent tearing.... They don't understand the need to lay on their backs, and these bison, like horses, have to be active. With four stomachs especially, the need for it to work correctly is vital, and there just would not be a way, except keeping him drugged all the time, which again slows everything down.
The veterinarian would be the best judge of Lumpy's specific case and Lumpy deserves that chance. God can and does work miracles.
Show him your compassion and humanity. If he's a drain on the wallet, you know what you have to do.
Don't let Lumpy suffer!!! Love watching always But take care of him!♡♡
Culling any animal is never easy. I think you know the right thing to do and don't need anyone's approval. If their quality of life is suffering the humane thing to do is to help them be out of pain. Lumpy is in good hands and be proud of the life you have given him. Hugs
Making these decisions are the hardest thing to do. The best advice that I ever received from a vet when having to make the decision to put one of my beloved animal to sleep was; "remember this is not something you are doing to her; but something you are doing for her". If Lumpy is indeed in pain; he needs your help to get him through it.....as hard as it is.
At least he's in a safer place than he was before. As others have already said, it just might be that time to make one of the harder decisions you'll have to make. You'll know what's right when you have to make that decision.💙💙💙💙
My heart breaks for you and Lumpy. You have given him his best life. As hard as it may be, you will make the best decision for Lumpy. God Bless. 🙏
Hi Dusty…you have a heart for animals like mine. So big! I’ve seen Lumpy from the beginning and you did more than many. The paradox of having a big heart is that while we give them the best life, that time always comes when we have to give them their best death. If that is the road you go down, is there any way his final resting place can be in a nice spot in the pasture so he can always be near the herd? That’s just a thought from a sappy old softie. In the meantime, I’m keeping that good boy and you in my prayers. 🙏
As caretakers, it's our responsibility to show compassion and do what is needed. Sometimes that is not what we wish, but is best.
It's so sad to see Lumpy like this. He's had a rough way to go. You have taken good care of him and done all you can for him. He hae the best life you could have given him. I'll miss him. God bless ❤🙏
I love Bison and you bring so much passion to these beautiful animals. Lumpy and Elenor are my two favorite.
You will know what is best for your animals and it’s just a circle of life for every animal. Know one should want to see any animal suffer so you are well supported in what decision you make. Love you videos. 😁
If it isn't going to get any better then it would be best to let him go. The pain will get worse, especially when the winter weather hits hard. Best to not let him suffer. You've done everything you could to give him a good life for as long as you could. Granted it wasn't as long as one could wish but much better than he might have had.
Sadly, one of the hardest things to deal with when it comes to large animals, especially ones with major social orders and needs, is coming to grips with whether your really doing right by them by making them continue on. If a dog starts limping you take him to the vet and get the issue sorted with either a surgery or medication and in most cases they can easily adapt to things like having to be confined while they recover, or taking medication every day, having to have physical therapy or monthly injections and so on. Horses, for instance, which might be a better comparison, as they have a very important social system and hierarchy, have been domesticate over time to adapt to socialization is stalls as well as out in the pastures, and often just putting a horse on confinement in a stall while the heal can be handled by keeping another horse or two routed in and out of the stables with them so they have company.
When you have an animal like a bison, more wild animal than one you would consider domesticated, that is showing obvious injury you have a problem. Even very domesticated animals, when sick of injured will do all they can to keep the fact that they are feeling badly, or are in pain, and cannot get around well because of it hide it so that often we never find out until it too late. Lumpy is not thinking "hey I am safe here and protected and it does not matter if I look slow, or like i would have trouble running or have any pain cause that guy over there will bring me food and keep predators away and the other bison wont pick on me if No, actually, with other bulls around, with a social hierarchy he is already on the bottom of and the other bulls just looking for a reason to make him a target, plus in his mind there are predators that can get him, fences or not, the fact that he is moving so slowly, limping so much, and he is letting other bulls, and any other animal watching see that, he really is at the end of his days. Normally in a social animal like this, that knows his place, if there was anyway he could stand to appear just fine to the other bulls, he would, just to make himself a lesser target. He is not which means he has to be suffering a great deal of pain, to not be able to hide it behind normal stoicism and he cant even fake the fact that he cant really move well.
That is not quality of life, as he is not enjoying life with other bison, as he is living with the clear and present danger that they all know he not able to run from them or even fight back, and appears weak, which just grows the target on him. Some would say to try a pen area where there are a few hot wires between him an other bison but they can still get close of social needs, but we are talking bulls here and if they sense weakness and want a go at him, a few hot wires probably is not going to stop anyone. This may not be a direct symptom of a worsening with the hernia, but that he took a blow to his leg from another bulls who was asserting his rank for some reason. And even if you put him in a pen with some young animal, not sure that one would not take out bull aggressions on him from time to time either. Its possible he could have picked up a nail or other object in his hoof which has migrated into where its causing pain in foot tissue, or has infected the hoof, but these are not calm dairy cattle where you can get someone out to trim and work on a hoof. That injury has to be pretty bad since he is having to limp to get around and does it in front of other bison that he knows he ranks beneath. If he was part of a dairy herd, or was even just a breeding bull, it might be worth getting his hoof examined and if needed treated, but he is not and not sure he would even stand for work like that to be done.
The hernia, if its getting bigger could also be a source of pain, especially if more and more stomach protrudes through and he is limping because it hurts internally to move as enough stomach is protruding through the muscle to cause pain there and in the area where its just his skin and hide holding in the stomach. The hernia is, probbaly the underlying issue even it its not really worse, but it is still a part of him he knows to favor, as even a bump from another animal could hurt, so that ould put him at a disadvantage if he is being picked on and open himself up to other injuries
The bigger picture here is that the animal is suffering and suffering so much he cannot even hide his issues. Knowing what they will go through to not present as lame, or weak or slow, he has to be in excruciating pain. Given that there is not going to be anything done to fix his hernia, and as I said, the bigger he gets the worse it will get until at some point stomach or intestines get strangulated in there and he is suffering from teh pain of a dying intestinal problem, in which case the pain might be enough to drive him crazy and he will be a risk to other animals and any people around; he is not living well now. Even if you discount any pain he maybe having, which he is or you would not see the limping, he is no longer living what one would call a decent quality of life. Just walking around to graze, a walk to water and feed, and then back to shade to rest near other bison appears to be hard for him to do. I don't know that anyone is doing lumpy any favors right now by making him suffer through this.
I guess from that you can tell my profession opinion, if I was standing in the field there, would be that its time to say goodbye to Lumpy and let him go on to the big range in the sky where his problems will be over. If your not 100% settled on euthanasia as the cure for this, at least yet, then considering cots comes into play here, but the first thing I would look at is what s causing that limp, is it hoof, or damage directly to the leg in some matter. That means, finding a hoof guy and a handling system that can take lumpy, and have the hoof checked, and at the same time, if the hoof is normal, x-ray the leg to determine if its join or bone or muscle. From there, since the hernia is larger just to look at and consider if your going to try crowdfunding his surgery and proceed on with that, realizing that he will either come out well or die during surgery, but that maybe a case where one can say you tried byt God had other plans for Lumpy. A good vet surgeon, and you have that at the University, is going to know once he gets in there if there is going to be a decent closing of the hernia and pretty much whether he will do well or not.
That would not be the end of the work it would take because even after surgery you have to have some plan to be able to keep him relatively contained (for a bison) for a period of time after surgery, perhaps in a small pen area with barn access and maybe partner him with a young and relatively calm heifer or very young bull that can take a bit of time without major grazing and live with Lumpy on hay and feed for a moth before being allowed out in the filed again. It could be once healthy and repaired, returning to the herd he might work into a better ranking situations especially as more young bulls come along as he will be able to stand his own without a whole side of him to favor.
That would not be easy todo as your crowdfunding would need to be rapid at this point as Lumpy is hurting and hurting to a point where I would judge it to be unfair to keep making him live like that. I don't know much about pain management on bison, but even on other larger animals there s not of good ways to do that without a way to do daily injections.
I , of course, come from a place of knowing just how much he has to be suffering for it to be this obvious, and while I am all up for doing everything short of euthanizing an animal to try and make one feel better and go one a live a comfortable life, I am also not immune to the costs involved either. Of course, who knows, he maybe enough of a YY celebrity animal that crowdfunding could happen fast enough and cover his costs but I think what we really are down too is, how long should he be made to continue suffering? Maybe long enough to check and make sure its not just a fixable problem in the hoof but otherwise, if he is not heading off for surgery in another week, and still looks like this in a week, its probably a time to say goodbye.
I know in my heart that you guys will make the right decision, you love your bison, I know you gave him a good life!
I would have to put him out of his suffering. I am sure you will do what's best for him and you. God bless Dusty. It's never easy.