Bello, a young Jersey bull, was saved from slaughter—only to face another life-threatening challenge: a severe leg fracture. With no clear cause and little hope for recovery, his owner refused to give up. Thanks to a groundbreaking surgery performed by Dr. Tom Mariën and his team, Bello defied the odds.

The story of Bello

Unexpected accident

Bello, a 7-month-old Jersey bull, was saved from slaughter by his owner as a calf. But 6 months later, she nearly lost him due to an open-leg fracture. The cause of the injury remains unknown, but it seems likely that the bull accidentally received a punch from a larger animal.

A special exception

Bello’s owner, upon seeing the injury, immediately called in her veterinarian, who confirmed the seriousness of the situation. The diagnosis was an open luxation of the hock, an injury that is usually fatal and often leads to euthanasia. The owner refused to accept this harsh verdict and began seeking treatment options.

After several unsuccesful attempts to get help, the owner got in touch with us. Although we normally focus primarily on horses, our medical team, led by surgeon Tom Mariën, decided to make a special exception for Bello.

“The owner has a big heart for animals, just like we do here. That’s why I wanted to help her.” says Tom.

The surgery was meticulously prepared, lasted no less than three hours and focused on repairing on repairing the complex leg fracture and stabilizing the joint.

Bello's surgery

"This is the first time in my 25-year career as an animal surgeon that I've performed such an operation," says Dr. Tom Mariën.

"It took a team of six: three surgeons, two anesthesiologists, and an operating assistant, and 3,5 hours to complete. Anesthesia is particularly complex in cattle, and the challenge was heightened by the fact that it was an open fracture," he explains.

Bello’s surgery began with a gentle injection of anesthesia through the vail vein, followed by general anesthesia and intubation to ensure he was fully asleep.

Once he was settled, the cast was carefully removed, and his leg was shaved to allow for a thorough cleaning. The surgeon made an incision to reveal the damaged hock. The fracture was carefully cleaned and the damaged tissue was removed.

Next, the bone was carefully smoothed, and the joint luxation was corrected under radiographic guidance to ensure perfect alignment. Two plates were shaped to fit the bone and securely attached with fifteen screws, providing the cecessary stability. After a final check with an X-ray, the incision was closed, and a bandage was applied to safeguard the area.

Recovery

A fresh cast was applied to support Bello’s recovery, and he was gently awakened from anesthesia. Off to a cozy stable he went, where he could rest and recover under careful supervision and the necessary aftercare.

In the weeks that followed, Bello certainly turned a few heads around the clinic. A cow in a horse clinic? Now that was a sight you don’t see every day! But for the Equitom-team, it didn’t matter whether it was a horse or a cow: Bello received the same level of attentive care. With his gentle eyes and cheerful character, he quickly won the hearts of everyone he met.

Thankfully, Bello made a strong recovery after the surgery. The two plates and fifteen screws did their job, and his recovery went just as planned. After six weeks the cast could come off, and another six weeks later he took his first cautious steps back onto the pasture. Thanks to the dedication of our medical team and the perseverance of Bello's owner, who expressed deep gratitude to our staff, Bello is now able to graze freely under the open sky. Let's face it: no matter how we cared for him here, a horse stable is no five-star hotel for a cow. The pasture is where he truly belongs!

Bello's journey

Saved by Farm Flora

Image: Bello in 2024, not so little anymore!

Vzw Farm Flora, located in Halen, Limburg, offers a permanent, loving home to underprivileged animals—including those who are disabled, elderly, sick or traumatized. These animals are not available for adoption; instead, they are given the chance to live out their lives happily and peacefully at the sanctuary.

Beyond daily animal care, Farm Flora hosts a variety of activities such as vegan "pig"nicks among the animals, children’s camps, and workshops for kids and dogs. These small-group events offer visitors a unique opportunity to connect with the animals and learn more about the non-profit’s mission.

As an independent non-profit organization, Farm Flora receives no government funding and relies entirely on the support of donors. You can help through one-time or monthly donations, becoming a godparent or godmother to one of the animals, or shopping via the Farm Flora webshop.