Terrible night on the farm. Lost Calf may loose mama

[Homeschoolmom]

What a terrible night we had. Went to check on our Jersey cow that was two days late last night and found here going into labor. We were excited to be there for the event (missed her last birth) but the excitement soon died when we saw a head and one hoof not two. My husband and son both tried to push the head back in and get the hoof out via the vets recommendation but neither would budge. We even had a friend come and see if he could do it but there was no moving that calf in any direction. So the vet drives the hour out and he is also unable to budge the calf due to the head being so swollen. By this time the calf is alive but barely ( 2 1/2 hours had passed) so we knew we had to sacrifice the calf to save mama. The vet had to cut the calf's head off to get it out . So sad to watch. He treated Buttercup with all kinds of stuff including calcium and pain meds and we all tried to get her up but she just wouldn't budge. The vet said it is crucial she gets up in the next 24-48 hours or we will loose her. My husband went out to check on her this morning and as he walked up to her she stood up and took a few steps but went back down. I guess that means she is not paralyzed (the vets biggest concern) but still very weak. Her eyes look much better and she is eating so that is a good sign. Praying that she will get up soon. It will crush me and my children to loose this cow. She is our homesteading milk cow and we all love her dearly. I am also worried about her not being able to be milked right now. He udder is huge but until she gets up there is not much we can do. I am going to start giving her Impro to ward off mastitis but not sure if it will work.

Farming is not always fun

[gone-a-milkin]

Oh, I am sorry you had such a rough night. If she got up this morning, there is a chance she will make it. Don't lose hope yet! It is a good idea to let her rest awhile inbetween tries. Do you have a way you could hoist her? We have successfully held cows up w/ a sling on a frontend loader.

I am sorry about the calf. The first time I saw a vet, (actually I helped him) I was 13 and had the littlest hands of anyone there- I will never ever forget it.

Best wishes and dont give up hope yet!

[nduetime]

What an awful time for you! Such a sad loss. Here's praying Momma will make it ok. your right, it's not always fun is it?

[Up North]

It always hard to deal with situations like that. If she got on her feet this morning by herself (even for just a little bit) there is still hope she will recover. Heather

[lyceum]

We had a similar situation last year with an angus/beltie heifer. Calf was huge and stuck (dead too). Tried cutting calf out and couldn't get the rest to come. Ended up finishing with a C-Section. Neither vet expected the cow to get up, let alone live. She was up the next morning and did just fine.

Carisa

[Teacupliz]

hugs from another cow owner
Liz

[ozark_jewels]

I'm so sorry.
If this was my cow I would be continuing with the calcium every day. Also B Vitamins for an appetite boost.
Best wishes!!

[Homeschoolmom]

Thanks for the thoughts and prayers. We have seen her try to stand up twice but both times she went back down. She is eating very well and we are giving her Calcium everyday. The vet said it is just wait and see now. Nothing more we can do medically speaking :-(. I cant imagine loosing my cow. She is not replaceable. Even if we had the money to buy a new cow (which we don't) I doubt we could find one as good as her. Still holding out hope but preparing for the worst.

Thanks again. I knew you all would understand

[Wags]

Praying your cow is back and on her feet soon!

[Peace n Quiet]

Two years ago, DD & I came home to find our cow with a stuck, dead calf. The cow had been down approximately 4 - 6 hours and I had to pull the calf with a chain and a four wheeler. It was just awful, hope I never have to do that again.
Our cow was in terrible shape, but came through in the end. Getting her up was the hard part, but we gave her the calf to mourn for the night, and she got up to clean it off.
Hope your cow survives this. I'll say a prayer.

[Madsaw]

Well, here is my 2 cents. Give her time. sounds like she had a long rough go of it. They do not bounce back right away. Another thing that may cause her weakness is Ketosis. You might want to consult your vet about this too.
If she is eating and alert just give her time and keep a eye on her. Worse comes to worse see if you can get a lift to help her stand up and keep her up to get the blood moving around again. Many do not like useing a hip left but just for a few lifts done right works real good.
Bob

[cathleenc]

thinking of you and your family and your dear cow! update?

[agmantoo]

What is the status of the down cow? My input is from a practical side and experience. If she is not up today on her own the likelyhood is that she will not get up. Her head being erect and her eating and drinking give false hope. If you have not given her medicine that has a withholding period you need to consider using her for meat. Being a downed animal she cannot go through a processing plant but since you know the cause there is nothing to prevent her being processed and consumed at home. Offsetting the purchasing of meat will create some funds toward a replacement cow.

[topside1]

Sure hope to hear some good news....if no other choice exists then processing is the best solution to your sad problem. A mobile processing operation may be available in your area. Call a slaughterhouse for info...Hope she's up and about....TJ

[Homeschoolmom]

:banana02:Great news!! She is up!! I went to a local dairy and pleaded with them to let me borrow a hip lift. We lifted her up and by the end of the 30 minute period she had all her weight on her legs. When we unhooked her she took a few wobbly steps but she stayed up all on her own. She is walking very cautiously but she is walking a little and eating :banana02: I can not tell you how happy I am. This is truly a miracle. When we left her last night it wasn't looking good at all it was cold and raining (no way to move her safely), she had diarrhea and she just looked weaker than ever. I really didn't think she would make it through the night and neither did anyone else that saw her. What a miracle that she is up and walking around on her own today. Now I pray that when she does lay back down that she will be able to get back up on her own since I have to take the lift back. I also am now on the search of a calf ,she gives so much that we like to leave the calf on her and only milk once a day. Of course this is one problem I am thrilled to have

Can you tell I am on cloud nine! I am tempted to just go sit in the pasture with her to convince myself that she really is up and around!

Thanks for all your thoughts and prayers! Maybe I can get my hubby to show me how to upload pictures tonight so I can show off my wonderful cow.

Rebecca
Homeschooling,Homebirthing,Homesteading mama to 6 blessing with #7 due in Jan 09

[topside1]

Congrats....I'm sure your jumping with JOY>>>>>>

[cathleenc]

very happy for you!

[Organic Cowgirl]

I am so thrilled for you! What wonderful news! Many good thoughts to you that she stays up.

[ozark_jewels]

Originally Posted by topside1

Sure hope to hear some good news....if no other choice exists then processing is the best solution to your sad problem. A mobile processing operation may be available in your area. Call a slaughterhouse for info...Hope she's up and about....TJ

Unfortunately the same rules apply for mobile processing operations that apply to regular facilities. If it can't walk, they can't do it. In this type of situation the only option is do it yourself.

[ozark_jewels]

Homeschoolmom, I am so very, very happy for you!!