Instructions
Line up along the length of the animal and, using coordinated movements, gently roll the animal onto its side.
Place the sling on the ground directly underneath the abdomen of the animal. The top of the sling should be placed near the head of the animal. The exposed bars should be located at the back of the animal. The belly liner should be face up. Unbuckle and remove the cross bar at the back of the sling.
Slide the right front leg of the animal into the top hole in the top of the sling. Hold the front of the sling in place and slide the back bar of the sling under the animal as far as possible. Assistants can help lift the legs and bottom part of the animal's abdomen to enable the bar to slide into a better position. Gently place the animal back on the ground after bar placement is completed.
Slide the left leg of the animal into the bottom hole at the top of the sling. Pull the bottom bar of the sling over the top of the abdomen until taunt. Adjust the padded straps so they lay between the back legs and udder or genitals as applicable.
Line up the length of the animal along the backbone. Using a coordinated effort, roll the animal into a sitting or upright position. Connect the front of the pipes and the back of the pipes together using two cross bars and the sling hooks. The hooks thread through eye bolts on the pipes.
Slide the rear cross piece into the back of each pipe. Insert cotter pins into the holes in the pipe to prevent movement. Attach pulleys to the cross bar loops and the pulley or lifting assembly. Place tension on the pulleys until the animal is in an upright, standing position.
Wiggins Cow Sling Instructions
Cattle can become "downers" when battling disease, illness or injuries, or after recovering from calving and crowding. This means they are unable to stand up without assistance and can die of a condition called crush syndrome if they are left in the prone position. The constant weight and pressure placed on a cow while in the prone position leads to bone, ligament, nerve and muscle damage. The Munk's adjustable vet slings are marketed by Wiggins and Associates Incorporated and can be used on horses, cattle, sheep and swine. Instructions for applying and using the sling do not differ among species.