Bunny makes a splash

Harper Adams Veterinary Physiotherapy students and lecturers had the chance to apply their knowledge to an unlikely candidate after a calf born into the University’s dairy herd had difficulty walking. The hydrotherapy suite on campus is more commonly used for canine clients, but could accommodate Bunny because of her small size.

Horizon Dairy Vets, who treat the Harper Adams herd, tried a series of traditional approaches before they referred the calf to the University Vet Rehab centre. The team named her Bunny after her unusual way of walking, and as there was no previous evidence of a similar procedure

Bunny goes for a dip being used on cattle, the processes they developed were specifically tailored for Bunny’s treatment, including halter training.

Physiotherapy programme manager Helen Morrell said: “Bunny has progressed really well. It’s looking like the prognosis is positive, and we’ve learned about a new approach that can be taken in rehabilitating dairy cows at a young age.”