heifer over due what to do?

[Teacupliz]

I bought a heifer jersey/holstein about 4 wks ago. I was told she was due the 10th. On Aug. 4th she has clear mucus and we thought she would calf then. She is hollow in the rear and sunk in the sides. No calf... Her udder was full but not to full-
Now since the 10th her udder is very full. she is still active alert, acting fine- we have seen some more mucus buth nothing bloody ect. We are still waiting-
If I do not see a calf by Monday I will call the vet- but wondered what you all think.
Should I milk her out her udder is HUGE- Since I did not have her bred I am not possitive on the date. I milked out a bit of milk out of the biggest quarter it looks like milky water-
THis is only my 4th calf born here- We have had goats for 8 years..

IDEAS THOUGHTS?
Thanks Liz in NY

[floramum]

Bump - Hope Somebody Has An Answer....

[wr]

How are you sure of her due date? If she was AI'd your dates would be accurate but they don't always come when you want them. If she was pasture exposed, you could be out by a cycle. Even if she was preg tested and the vet or tech gave you a date, they aren't always as accurate as you'd like. There is no reason to panic at this stage of the game. If she's bright eyed and shows no signs of poor health, just leave her alone and nature will ensure it happens when the time is right. Like humans, due dates are more of a suggestion than fact.

[jerzeygurl]

i wouldnt milk her ...calf needs it, unless you are going to bottle raise. IF so you will need to freeze it. Check her udder by pressing your thumb into it, if it stays sunk she has edema, and could be why her udder looks so big. Not a huge problem unless its too tight, the skin can split, you may want to call the vet and be ready for a diaretic(sp).

was she ai'd or running with the bull?

[ksfarmer]

WR is correct, due dates vary widely. If you milk her out you will be robbing her calf of the colestrum he will need.

[Sprout]

I have a ewe that will routinley lose her mucous plug 2 weeks before she lambs, sometimes they just take forever from that step to the next. If you smell rotting coming from back there though the calf may have died, call your vet out right away if you suspect that.

[65284]

Have you seen her strain, or stand humped up, does she seem to be depressed, is she eating and drinking normally? As long as she isn't acting stressed or seems exhausted, or as Sprout suggested unless you detect a really bad odor I would just wait.