New Mother question... problem maybe?

TxCloverAngel · #1 08/14/09, 07:35 PM

Hershey has her first calf today. (see thread below)
everything went well.

But... she had him around 1pm.
and now at 7:30pm she has afterbirth hanging about 4 feet.
doesnt seem to be bleeding, and she is eating/drinking/walking around fine, but isnt this a little long for it to "hang around"?

Should I be concerned?

Gross pic below.
click to see full size.

New Mother question... problem maybe? - Cattle

**gone-a-milkin** · #2 08/14/09, 07:50 PM

She should drop that afterbirth in a short time.

It is okay for upto a couple of days. I bet she expels it by tomorrow morning.

TxCloverAngel · #3 08/14/09, 07:56 PM

thanks!

copperhead46 · #4 08/14/09, 08:55 PM

It'll be fine, sometimes it "hangs" on for several days. Just DO NOT try to help her expel it, that can cause real damage.
P.J.

arcticow · #5 08/14/09, 10:09 PM

Just make sure she has access to plenty coolish water & salt, to replace what she lost. Hydration seems to help things along.

Karin L · #6 08/14/09, 10:53 PM

Like everyone else said, it ain't nothin to worry about. The placenta will be expelled naturally.

I'd be more worried though if the placenta hadn't been expelled. Or worse, she could've prolapsed. Now there's where your problems would come to the surface.

Ronney · #7 08/15/09, 06:51 AM

Nothing to worry about, I've had cows trail it around for over a week before it has come away. As has already been mentioned, DO NOT feel tempted to help it along.

On the very slim off-chance that it doesn't come away on it's own within two weeks or there is an unpleasant smell and/or discharge from the vulva, don't hesitate to get your vet out to deal with it.

Cheers,
Ronnie