Hard Calving, Casting Wethers

[Jennifer L.]

I had a heifer freshen about a week ago or so. It was a real hard calving with a big bull calf, she tore her vulva, etc, and retained the placenta until two days ago. She is still straining. I don't think I need to be concerned about her pushing her uterus out at this point, but I've never seen an animal continue to strain for this long a time. Mostly the straining goes on when she's standing. If she lays down in a stall things seem to quiet down and she can rest. I've also noticed with the straining that she will dribble urine out. I don't know if that is because she has no "feel" for needing to urinate right now (doesn't feel urge to "go") or if she simply passes some urine with the straining.

Not sure if I've got a question here or not, but just wondering how other people's animals have come through something like this. I've never seen an animal quite like her and I've been doing this a lot of years.

Jennifer

[tinknal]

She may not have totally "cleaned". Is she stinky back there? Wouldn't hurt to get some boluses from the vet to drop in there. I think they use sulfa but been so long I can't remember.

[unioncreek]

You should be able to get sulfa boluses at most any ag/animal supply store. How is she doing otherwise - eating, drinking and nursing the calf? If she's doing all these things I would use the sulfa and wait a week, but if she's still straining at that time I'd call the vet.

Bobg

[JeffNY]

Here is what I would do, and we had this done, worked well. Have he cleaned, but not totally cleaned. What I mean is the vet goes in, and will remove anything that readily comes, and not try to remove anything that is attached. Then a shot of antibiotics to reduce infection. I did this to a holstein, she didn't have any troubles, she retained her placenta and when the vet was here she removed stuff that was already loose. It did help her quite a bit, and she is bred back.


We had a swiss retain hers as well. She didn't have any troubles, but she cleaned over 2-3 weeks, if not 4 weeks. What was left in there rotted out more or less. She too is bred back. She did get a shot of antibiotics and we did use boluses, I beleive on both.


For another cow, who didn't retain hers, but did have a tough calving, didn't tear anything. She however pinched a nerve that controls the pasturn. She recovered from that ordeal in about 6 weeks, but later on had a bruised hoof from putting weight on the hoof that did become bruised. She has fully recovered, and is one that classified VG 85.

Uncontrolled urinating could be caused by her trying to push out the placenta, there for she pees. I suggest to have her cleaned, and as I mentioned, tell the vet to take what comes, not force what is attached. Because if the vet did that, it can cause internal bleeding.

Good luck up north,


Jeff

[Up North]

It's a long shot, but are you sure there's not another calf in there if she is still straining? The only reason I ask this is because of a calving I had this spring. Similar situation as yours. With her continued straining after a day I stuck my arm in her and felt around. There was a small twin in there severely breeched.

Heather

[Jennifer L.]

Thanks, everyone. Naturally as soon as I ask the question the heifer started acting better.

Heather, it was a big calf, just over 100# at the sale barn the other day--.50 a pound, btw, sure going to get rich at those prices, NOT. Anyway, she's small so there couldn't be a second calf in there unless it was some kind of mummified deal. But she cut down big time on the straining yesterday, so I think she's starting to get over the ordeal.

Jeff, it used to be common to have a cow cleaned, but I think the way to go is a shot of Lutalyse ten days or two weeks. I've heard really, really good reports on how that gets them to clean out by themselves. All the time I had vets removing the placenta I never had a problem with bleeding, but finally realized it wasn't helping the cow greatly to have it done, as the cow would do it herself without problems, normally, and it was more for cosmetic reasons. So to save money I don't have the vet here to do it any more.

Anyway, thanks for the advice from everyone. I've had to purchase heifers because I got down on cows and if you want springers from a cattle dealer they are going to be small more likely than not. And just my luck to get the one that had the big calf. But she seems to be on the mend now, thankfully!

Jennifer

[de Molay]

First before calling the vet, get an obstetrical glove at the farm supply and a big bottle of Dettol...Put on the glove and after restraining the cow, put your hand and arm inside her and feel for a dead calve, or other junk that doesn't belong and remove what you can....If it is a dead calve you will need a vet fast...As soon as she is off anti-biotics and her system is clear of them, ship her or put her in the freezer....Most times when this happens and a cow doesn't clean herself, they go sterile....Be evry careful in your choice of bulls next time.....Try to get some history of him, his calve weight at birth is a good indicator....For first time heifers you are always best to go with a British breed, Hereford, Angus, etc. They throw small calves and it is much easier on the female....Also try to choose a bull with a small head and front shoulders for first time calvers...

[LMonty]

hmmmm, if i may ask- what is a "springer"?

TIA

[tinknal]

Originally Posted by LMonty

hmmmm, if i may ask- what is a "springer"?

TIA

One that is bred and due to calve.