Young heifer in calf

Louise1987

Hi,

I am going to seek veterinary advice tomorrow but I just want to know has anyone else experienced this.
We gave a young heifer approx 2 or nearly 2 she is small and now fear she is pregnant .

Has anyone had a cow c-sectioned? Was is successful , did the cow recover?

Thank you

Farrell

Louise1987 wrote: »

Hi,

I am going to seek veterinary advice tomorrow but I just want to know has anyone else experienced this.
We gave a young heifer approx 2 or nearly 2 she is small and now fear she is pregnant .

Has anyone had a cow c-sectioned? Was is successful , did the cow recover?

Thank you

Sadly happens on most farms.
If it was me the first thing I'd do is get her scanned to have a better idea of calving date & if possible put on hay & 3-4 double handfuls (500g butter tub fills) of rolled oats with some precalving minerals.
If sectioned she should be fine, but could also be ok naturally.

Kovu

Hi Louise, welcome to Boards!

Firstly, these days a c-section on a cow is a routine procedure that vets are very capable of. It carries a much much higher rate of survival than it did years ago. I'm not sure of percentages but only a small number of them will have serious problems after it. I've seen quite a few over the years and helped out at them too, once the cow is in good shape and cared for afterwards, thee should be no issue.

Now when you say you think she is pregnant, do you think she is near calving or just a few months incalf? Many heifers calve down at two years with no problems whatsoever but if she is only a few months gone you could inject her to abort the calf.

(I also removed your thread in smallholding as the main forum would be more suitable for your query)

Louise1987

Thank you all for your comments
She defiantly looks pregnant I would say she is over the stage to abort .
I will get the vet out tomorrow to make a plan .

Thanks.

greysides

Firstly, get the animal handled to confirm your suspicions. 'Looking in-calf' and 'being in-calf' are two very different things, often they coincide, sometimes they don't.

If the vet handling her is of the opinion she's less than five months in-calf then it's possible to have her abort.

If she goes full term, regardless of her size, she may still calf ok. The main thing would be not to leave her too long before seeking help. That way you'll have a live calf and live heifer.

tanko

I always assumed that up to ten weeks in calf was the limit for giving a shot to abort. Would doing this up to 5 months work out ok?

greysides

With Estrumate, the instructions say that it works up to 4 months but may not work in the fifth month.

I'll look up the exact datasheet wording.

For the termination of pregnancy, best results are obtained before day 100 of gestation. Results are less reliable
between day 100 and 150 of gestation.

Either memory is failing or wording has changed, either way this is how it stands now.

yellow50HX

Louise1987 wrote: »

Hi,

I am going to seek veterinary advice tomorrow but I just want to know has anyone else experienced this.
We gave a young heifer approx 2 or nearly 2 she is small and now fear she is pregnant .

Has anyone had a cow c-sectioned? Was is successful , did the cow recover?

Thank you

Do you what she is in calf to? You ll know if she is close to calving when her udder starts to fill out.

Heifers will calf ok at 2 years, we look to have our 1st time calvers at 26-28 months.

If your worried get the vet to handle her and then just keep a close eye. We have have a few naughty girls that have calved at 18 months.

onyerbikepat

I calve all the heifers here at a little over 24 months and all calf ok. Any idea of the breed of bull?

High bike

Had a BB heifer calve last sept at 19 mts,had to give her a hand but calved ok

Louise1987

Thank you all for your comments.

The vet was out and confirmed she is in calf. I also checked her DOB and she is 16 months old. The bull was a charolais and this would of happened mid/late august 2014 just before he was sold.

The vets advice was to let nature take its course and seek veterinary help if any problem arise.

An anxious time ahead!

Kovu

So she'd be roughly 8sh months incalf? Eeep. Is she overly fat? I'd try and restrict her diet if possible, think bare paddock or hay only and make sure she has access to minerals like a pre calving lick.

kowtow

We had two (bad teenagers) calf at just before & just after 18 months last year - both calved fine and both on their own, and although we were running around preparing for c-sections etc. our vets advice (which turned out correct) was that likely or not the calf would suit the mother and all would be well.

The heifers were (and remain) small although we'll be keeping them dry for a season to catch up we don't expect any long term issues.

As for the calves - both bulls - one tiny, and although strong as an ox hasn't grown on fast and one now almost bigger than his poor mother.

massey woman

Of the 40 + weanlings we bought last Oct/Nov 2 heifers are both visibly incalf and springing
Both Black Whiteheads which were initially bought for the fridge all the rest are CH
One heifer about 380 Kg born 21/4/14 and in calf to Ch Bull-or so original owner says
The other heifer looks 420 kg born 2/10/13 and most likely in calf to LM
Unless they were lying in the rushes for a few months I dont think theres a chance either will calve on their own
So much hassle with weanlings every year proving in calf

Genghis Cant

Happened us up and down, you'd be sick worrying but experience has taught me that the ones you expect major trouble off often just get on with it and bring a calf to suit them!
So plan for the worst, don't over think it and just as likely it will turn out fine!

yellow50HX

Had one last year the calved at 18 months, we spotted her springing and getting deep, calved by herself out in the field and hardy little calf. Had her second calf sunday and both are doing well. She isn't as big as her sisters yet but she will in time.

Had 2 more about 5-6 years ago and while it took them an extra year to catch up they are both fine cows and rear great calves.

greysides

massey woman wrote: »

Of the 40 + weanlings we bought last Oct/Nov 2 heifers are both visibly incalf and springing
Both Black Whiteheads which were initially bought for the fridge all the rest are CH
One heifer about 380 Kg born 21/4/14 and in calf to Ch Bull-or so original owner says
The other heifer looks 420 kg born 2/10/13 and most likely in calf to LM
Unless they were lying in the rushes for a few months I dont think theres a chance either will calve on their own
So much hassle with weanlings every year proving in calf

Estrumate on arrival would seem a good strategy to discuss with your vet.

yellow50HX

greysides wrote: »

Estrumate on arrival would seem a good strategy to discuss with your vet.

We give to the older heifers after we wean and seprate them but some do miss.

L1985

We had 2 this year (bullock wasn't castrated properly) one calved at 17 mths and had to have a c section poor thing had a monster calf but both flying around after-calfs nearly as big as his mother! She's still a bit small but is putting on condition. The other one calved at 19mths and didn't have a bother didn't need anyone near her. I'd check and make sure you have some beastings ready just in case as sometimes young heifers don't bond as easily with their calves esp if it's a tough calving but so saying wed no probs with those 2.

john8984

yes it will work out ok.
I had a young heifer that was gone 5 months in calf, I got her scanned to be sure of dates.
The vet gave me two different injections to give her and she aborted after 4 - 5 days, she was fine after it.

massey woman

Ah these two are too far gone,one definitely 8 months
Both springing really well made udders
on the pre calver nut with hay on a bare garden

Kovu

massey woman wrote: »

Ah these two are too far gone,one definitely 8 months
Both springing really well made udders
on the pre calver nut with hay on a bare garden

Often seen some of them make the best mothers. Also stay small for good for our Leitrim land eh

massey woman

Kovu wrote: »

Often seen some of them make the best mothers. Also stay small for good for our Leitrim land eh

Kovu would you be a customer?
Nice handy stock easy on tender land
Youd be buying real potential
I wouldnt rob ya

Kovu

massey woman wrote: »

Kovu would you be a customer?
Nice handy stock easy on tender land
Youd be buying real potential
I wouldnt rob ya

Mmmm, too many in the shed at the moment I'm afraid. Tempting though! I'm a picky customer of cattle as you know

Bodacious

ive one myself this year .. she got caught by strong twin bull calves I had last year. I got hurt last year and wasn't on top of my game and they were too strong to be in with her but she is or will be 26 months at calving and a good cottage devon ch heifer but you can still see it in her that she could have done with extra few months


fingers crossed, bull calves were lm x blue grey aa x cow

High bike

Bodacious wrote: »

ive one myself this year .. she got caught by strong twin bull calves I had last year. I got hurt last year and wasn't on top of my game and they were too strong to be in with her but she is or will be 26 months at calving and a good cottage devon ch heifer but you can still see it in her that she could have done with extra few months


fingers crossed, bull calves were lm x blue grey aa x cow

At 26mts she should be well up to it

50HX

had a heifer that went in calf after a teaser i had wasn't fully squeezed

she calved last week at 17mnts - some help but she managed to get him out ok

the joys of it...calf is fine and mother is mad about him so all worked out ok considering her age

will let her slip a few cycles now to give her a chance to heal up before going back in calf again

case5130

Farrell wrote: »

Sadly happens on most farms.
If it was me the first thing I'd do is get her scanned to have a better idea of calving date & if possible put on hay & 3-4 double handfuls (500g butter tub fills) of rolled oats with some precalving minerals.
If sectioned she should be fine, but could also be ok naturally.

Might be thick question but why oats ?
Have one that's going be calving at 15 months

High bike

case5130 wrote: »

Might be thick question but why oats ?
Have one that's going be calving at 15 months

She started young,are u sure she's only 15 mts,anyway oats for energy I think

Limestone Cowboy

Bodacious wrote: »

ive one myself this year .. she got caught by strong twin bull calves I had last year. I got hurt last year and wasn't on top of my game and they were too strong to be in with her but she is or will be 26 months at calving and a good cottage devon ch heifer but you can still see it in her that she could have done with extra few months


fingers crossed, bull calves were lm x blue grey aa x cow

It's funny, we calve nearly all the heifers a 2 year olds and would rarely have any great problems with them. Calves normally a lot smaller than the cows calves too, I reckon when they are still growing themselves that they aren't putting as much into the calve. Had a few 3yo springers last year and it was touch and go pulling the calves from them, doesn't really stand to reason and the would all be the same breeding.

High bike

Limestone Cowboy wrote: »

It's funny, we calve nearly all the heifers a 2 year olds and would rarely have any great problems with them. Calves normally a lot smaller than the cows calves too, I reckon when they are still growing themselves that they aren't putting as much into the calve. Had a few 3yo springers last year and it was touch and go pulling the calves from them, doesn't really stand to reason and the would all be the same breeding.

do you use AI on them or stock bull?

Limestone Cowboy

High bike wrote: »

do you use AI on them or stock bull?

Stock bull, AI a few cows alright but find it very hard to do heifers. Haven't a great setup either for putting them in when they are bulling to be honest.

case5130

High bike wrote: »

She started young,are u sure she's only 15 mts,anyway oats for energy I think

Feb 2014 on card unless she was tagged late ha she fine block of a animal

Farrell

High bike wrote: »

She started young,are u sure she's only 15 mts,anyway oats for energy I think

In my opinion, oats give the dam energy & firms up the calf as well as keeping the calf small

case5130

Farrell wrote: »

In my opinion, oats give the dam energy & firms up the calf as well as keeping the calf small

Hope your right not sure if was a black lim or Angus that got her

Miname

case5130 wrote: »

Feb 2014 on card unless she was tagged late ha she fine block of a animal

What'll you take for her?

case5130

Miname wrote: »

What'll you take for her?

Not for sale yet haha

thegreatgonzo

case5130 wrote: »

Might be thick question but why oats ?

We started giving oats with mineral this year to stop them from getting too fat. They are much fitter this year, calving by themselves and the calves are up and sucking very quickly. We used to give ration and our cows tended to be on the plump side with big calves that needed a jack.

High bike

Limestone Cowboy wrote: »

It's funny, we calve nearly all the heifers a 2 year olds and would rarely have any great problems with them. Calves normally a lot smaller than the cows calves too, I reckon when they are still growing themselves that they aren't putting as much into the calve. Had a few 3yo springers last year and it was touch and go pulling the calves from them, doesn't really stand to reason and the would all be the same breeding.

what breed of bull do you use,must be an easy calver?

Limestone Cowboy

High bike wrote: »

what breed of bull do you use,must be an easy calver?

Gone through a good few limousin Bulls over the last few years, much of a muchness between all the ones we had. No massive problems with them, might have to give a bit of help to an odd one alright. Have 4 2yo springers calved this year and didn't have to go near any of them. All had handy little limmy calves that got up and sucked themselves.

case5130

Dono if the oats helped but she calved down a lim heifer today
Small tug nothing major

High bike

Limestone Cowboy wrote: »

Gone through a good few limousin Bulls over the last few years, much of a muchness between all the ones we had. No massive problems with them, might have to give a bit of help to an odd one alright. Have 4 2yo springers calved this year and didn't have to go near any of them. All had handy little limmy calves that got up and sucked themselves.

goin to chance Lim this year myself,and hope for the best:rolleyes:

Limestone Cowboy

High bike wrote: »

goin to chance Lim this year myself,and hope for the best:rolleyes:

What were you using on heifers up to now?

High bike

Limestone Cowboy wrote: »

What were you using on heifers up to now?

Ai but hard to catch em right,have a Lim organised from a lad who keeps a few Bulls got a Sim off him last year and he worked out ok but he's a bit big for heifers

Bodacious

Limestone Cowboy wrote: »

It's funny, we calve nearly all the heifers a 2 year olds and would rarely have any great problems with them. Calves normally a lot smaller than the cows calves too, I reckon when they are still growing themselves that they aren't putting as much into the calve. Had a few 3yo springers last year and it was touch and go pulling the calves from them, doesn't really stand to reason and the would all be the same breeding.

Calved herself 281 days .. Less than 26months .. She will Not set the world alight milk wise but bit too bad either .. Very quiet cottage Devon heifer... Red limo bull calf

massey woman

Lovely outfit and nice field too!

KatyMac

]My 22 month heifer calved at the weekend. Nice CH bull and she is a really good mother. She is shorthorn out of AAX cow

Bodacious

Bodacious wrote: »

Calved herself 281 days .. Less than 26months .. She will Not set the world alight milk wise but bit too bad either .. Very quiet cottage Devon heifer... Red limo bull calf

One of the twins got her @10months .. I was going to estrumate her .. That's my last one now !

Louise1987

Hi all, thanks for your advice. After a very anxious few months. She calved 3 weeks ago. Before calving We Kept her in a paddock with small amount of grass, she had access to hay for a good few weeks. When she was calving she needed some help and we to use the calving jack to help her it was a bit of hard work but we are blessed that everything worked out ok in the end a healthy bull calf :-)