If you have been to Pigeon Creek Farm, it is no surprise to you that we care deeply about our animals. Our dairy farm is different: set up to be tiny and demonstrate how to preserve the farm culture in our community. On this farm, our animals are part of our family–not just business–and one of our family members needs our help.

Ivy is a beautiful Jersey heifer expecting her first calf this December. She has spent the last two summers as a 4-H project heifer, traveling to shows across the county engaging youth and adults in conversation about dairy life, even allowing herself to be painted as a mermaid. She has stolen the hearts of the multitude. We were all anxiously awaiting the arrival of her calf this December with hopes that it might be a girl, following the footsteps of her mother to become a member of our milk cow team, supplying our community with fresh milk.

We noticed Ivy was not feeling herself on October 5th, and we called the vet the next day as her discomfort visibly increased. Ivy was treated for something called Hardware Disease by our vet. Hardware Disease is caused by a cow ingesting something (usually metal) that causes damage and pain in the stomach. Treatment normally consists of both giving the cow a cylinder-shaped magnet that can help catch the object to prevent more damage as well as administration of medications for pain and infection. Ivy seemed to respond well at first, but by Thursday, October 10th, her condition seemed to worsen so we put a call in to the vet again. After a thorough examination, we all felt that she needed a closer look with more equipment that would be available at the New Bolton Center to see what might be causing her continued discomfort. Upon admission to New Bolton, great care was taken in identifying the realities of Ivys diagnosis. Unfortunately, the development of infection from the damage to her stomach was incredibly severe. In order to save her life, it would take a team of incredibly knowledgeable staff at the Vet Hospital, as well as strength and determination from Ivy herself, to prevail against this infection.

We have decided as a family that we are going to fight for Ivy, but this does present the challenge of large medical bills. We are asking for your help to keep Ivy grazing in our green pastures. Any support you are able to offer means the world to us and we thank you from the bottom of our hearts!