Partial prolapse

[bigfoot2you]

We have the chance to buy a 5 yr old hereford cow. She has calved 3 times. This last pregnancy she had a partial prolapse. The vet put everything back in with no complications or stitches and she eventually delivered with absolutely no problems. She appears perfectly fine now. The animal has always been very well taken care of and appears extremely healthy. My question is, can she be bred again? Where it was a very mild prolapse, (ick, is there such a thing?) and she delivered the calf with absolutely no problems what are the chances it would happen again? The vet said it probably was due to some bad hay. Her stable mate is her twin and was eating the same hay with no problems.

I don't want to put her thru a breeding if it's going to be bad for her.

Thanks!!

[Oakshire_Farm]

I don't think that I would take on a cow like that??? I think it really depends on how you are set up and how friendly the cow is???

If you are going to have a cow that "could" have problems it is nice to a tame cow that you can keep quiet by keeping her stalled, if she is not a tame cow and she does have probems, keeping her in a stall may stress her. I thin another point to keep in mind is vet bills! If she does have another prolapse what are the aprox vet bills to get that fixed and are you going to be able to cover them??? What if thngs go bad and she needs a C-section? I think any time you have animals the risk of big vet bills is always there! I just got one in the mail ($200 ---- it!) I think most of it depends on how you are with your animals??? Are you someone that like me gets way to emotionaly involved with all of out pets, or do you keep emotions out of eeping animals??

I personaly would not get a cow with issues like that? Keep in mind with the economy the way it is you should be able to get a good health cow CHEAP right now

[RiverPines]

I wouldnt tough her!
According to our vet once a prolapse happens the chances of it recurring in future pregnancies is very high and it most likely would be worse.

I just lost a ewe this year to the side effects of a severe prolapse, premature birthing of twins and a ripped uterus. It was awful to watch and I hope I never experience it again.
Getting an animal with a past prolapse is just heart ache waiting to happen.

[agmantoo]

Good healthy animals have enough problems, why invite more? Fortunately, I have managed to date to minimize most of the difficulties by culling hard. I do not keep cows that have such problems. I cull the bottom 10% or so from the herd each year to avoid future problems. IMO a cow should reach maturity at 15 months and be able to breed successfully each year afterward, give birth unaided to a live calf, raise a healthy calf that will be sought in the market, maintain good body condition and breed back while nursing a calf. If she can do this I will keep her many years. If not, she will get a ride the next trip to the market. I know this sounds harsh but it is just the facts one needs to face if they want to minimize problems.

[farmergirl]

The cows I've known that have had prolapse problems one year, ALWAYS had prolapse problems the following year. I would never knowingly purchase a cow that had a history of prolapse, however slight.

[copperhead46]

If she has a partial prolapse last year, odds are that she will have a full one next year. It's not a good bet.
P.J.

[ksfarmer]

Originally Posted by agmantoo

Good healthy animals have enough problems, why invite more? Fortunately, I have managed to date to minimize most of the difficulties by culling hard. I do not keep cows that have such problems. I cull the bottom 10% or so from the herd each year to avoid future problems. IMO a cow should reach maturity at 15 months and be able to breed successfully each year afterward, give birth unaided to a live calf, raise a healthy calf that will sought in the market, maintain good body condition and breed back while nursing a calf. If she can do this I will keep her many years. If not, she will get a ride the next trip to the market. I know this sounds harsh but it is just the facts one needs to face if they want to minimize problems.

What he said.

[bigfoot2you]

Thanks everyone!!........I appreciate the information. This is a real shame because this cow is more like a very large puppy........dang.........but I certainly don't want to cause her any pain and problems. I guess we better plan on beefing her....... : - {

[RiverPines]

Originally Posted by agmantoo

Good healthy animals have enough problems, why invite more? Fortunately, I have managed to date to minimize most of the difficulties by culling hard. I do not keep cows that have such problems. I cull the bottom 10% or so from the herd each year to avoid future problems. IMO a cow should reach maturity at 15 months and be able to breed successfully each year afterward, give birth unaided to a live calf, raise a healthy calf that will sought in the market, maintain good body condition and breed back while nursing a calf. If she can do this I will keep her many years. If not, she will get a ride the next trip to the market. I know this sounds harsh but it is just the facts one needs to face if they want to minimize problems.

Those are the same goals I have for all my animals, goats, rabbits, and sheep, minus the breeding back while nursing. I always allow a break period after weaning before breeding back, but I am not doing cows nor production.