A second lactation cow presented to for a two-day history of being down and unable to rise. She had sustained an injury while being moved to the maternity pen and, though she calved normally there, was unable to get up following calving. The refen'ing veterinmian treated her with non­steroidal anti-inflammatories, corticosteroids, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium and potassium but her condition did not improve. Upon referral, no clinical abnormalities were detected other than low ionized calcium and hypophosphatemia. She was able to stand squarely in the float tank and ate well overnight. The next day the cow was able to stand in the tank without water flotation, although the right hind limb was externally rotated. Pelvic ultrasound and right hind pastern radio graphs did not reveal any abnormalities. The cow backed out of the tank, but was unable to stand in the sand stall and did not improve overnight. Euthanasia was elected. Necropsy revealed a partial rupture of the ligament of the head of the femur of the right hind and hemarthrosis of the left coxofemoral joint. This case report will focus on management of down cows, specifically the utility of float tanks.