Heifer fell 3 times after calving

Bodacious

Was watching a heifer lastnight, gave her 40 mins once front legs came out, came back and she was fully flat out on the ground... calf behind her half sitting up.. She got up but fell down immediately three times, back end seemed gone on her totally... Saw them shaky after a hard pull before but never so bad after putting them out naturally themselves .. If she was in shed she'd have killed the calf as even in the field she fell right out over him.

I was worried thought she had done herself serious nerve damage

freedominacup

I'd always give calcium in that sort of situation. Won't do any harm at worst.

49801

Bodacious wrote: »

Was watching a heifer lastnight, gave her 40 mins once front legs came out, came back and she was fully flat out on the ground... calf behind her half sitting up.. She got up but fell down immediately three times, back end seemed gone on her totally... Saw them shaky after a hard pull before but never so bad after putting them out naturally themselves .. If she was in shed she'd have killed the calf as even in the field she fell right out over him.

I was worried thought she had done herself serious nerve damage

I have seen nerve damage after a natural birth. It was amazing she managed to calf at all having seen the size of the calf at birth

greysides

Might be no harm to spansel her if she's in danger of doing the splits.

Bodacious

greysides wrote: »

Might be no harm to spansel her if she's in danger of doing the splits.

Thanks

she fine now , 48 hrs calved and still sore but she fine and calf is flying it

just wondering though would a beef heifer with just a normal enough springing need calcium... what would the calcium do for her system if milk fever isnt a factor?

Bizzum

What age is she?

greysides

Very rare to get Milk Fever in a heifer. I may have seen it once in over two decades.

Manoffeeling

greysides wrote: »

Very rare to get Milk Fever in a heifer. I may have seen it once in over two decades.

Interesting observation.

maxxuumman

greysides wrote: »

Very rare to get Milk Fever in a heifer. I may have seen it once in over two decades.

In situation like the OP has, would it not be a good idea to get an anti-inflammatory into her

Bodacious

Bizzum wrote: »

What age is she?

Good big heifer calved down @ 33 months ... 3 years in July

greysides

maxxuumman wrote: »

In situation like the OP has, would it not be a good idea to get an anti-inflammatory into her

From a welfare point of view and from a theoretical point of view.... certainly.

Can't say I've ever seen a clear-cut improvement in mobility after painkillers, though YMMV. It's due to nerve damage and healing takes time. Sometimes quicker than others depending on the degree of compression.