URGENT - heifer swallowed bale twine

NYCityBabe

Guys, our in-calf heifer just munched down a length of hay bale twine. Bee had it down the hatch before could grab it.
Just had a word with vet who said we could give her two days of liquid parrafin to move everything through before it gets to cause trouble. Others say do nothing, it'll pass through. Would hate for it to cause trouble. Can't be doing with losing one
Any help much appreciated.

Kovu

Well it depends on the length but I wouldn't be overly worried. Just keep an eye on her and plenty of roughage to push it though.

NYCityBabe

Kovu wrote: »

Well it depends on the length but I wouldn't be overly worried. Just keep an eye on her and plenty of roughage to push it though.

It was a standard small bale size, about 5ft length. She's due in March, would be just a disaster if anything happened.

Thanks Kovu

djmc

I wouldn't be worried at all once it isn't a sharp object it will pass through without doing any damage.
You would have to be very unlucky for it to cause any problems

NYCityBabe

Cheers guys! That's put my mind at ease.

Had no problem dosing her with parrafin, but maybe it's best just to leave well alone!

milkprofit

djmc wrote: »

I wouldn't be worried at all once it isn't a sharp object it will pass through without doing any damage.
You would have to be very unlucky for it to cause any problems

Don't worry just observe her for normal Heallthy signs

patsy_mccabe

Separate her so you can examine her dung. Had a neighbour tell me this year that he spotted a full small bale twine in some dung in the field. He reckons he knows the weanling if was from too, as she was not thriving that well beforehand.

Markcheese

I think i'd follow the vets advice about the parafin - its cheap and aint gona do any harm , keeping her seperate to observe her and her dung a good idea too .. should be fine though

Jb1989

Markcheese wrote: »

I think i'd follow the vets advice about the parafin - its cheap and aint gona do any harm , keeping her seperate to observe her and her dung a good idea too .. should be fine though

+1 on vets advice

NYCityBabe

Just to update - Vet called back to say not to parrafin til 3 days later, as that's how long it'll take to reach intestine, which is where the problems/blockage occur. Observe then for any signs of discomfort or being off, and if so dose with parrafin. So it's a waiting game now til Sunday!
Thanks all.

patsy_mccabe

I wonder when they are chewing the bud could they bring it back up and just spit it out.

Genghis Cant

patsy_mccabe wrote: »

I wonder when they are chewing the bud could they bring it back up and just spit it out.

I've seen baling twine in the cud before.
I Can't remember the last time we had baling twine around the place come to think of it.

Username John

Genghis Cant wrote: »

I've seen baling twine in the cud before.
I Can't remember the last time we had baling twine around the place come to think of it.

Jaysus, no baling twine?
what do ye use to tie the pallets together to block the gaps?

Miname

I wouldn't worry about it too much. It'll be a bit chewed up but you'll still get a bit of use out of the twine.

Jb1989

Username John wrote: »

Jaysus, no baling twine?
what do ye use to tie the pallets together to block the gaps?

Must be still making hay ropes

J.O. Farmer

Jb1989 wrote: »

Must be still making hay ropes

Sure times are hard and we need to cut costs. why pay for baling twine when some twisted dried grass will do. There's the added bonus that when a heifer eats it you don't need to worry about it.

funkey_monkey

We've had a cow with something worse put through her. It went in during the summer and came out about 6 months later when in the shed.

Genghis Cant

Username John wrote: »

Jaysus, no baling twine?
what do ye use to tie the pallets together to block the gaps?

Would you quit! I was along the coast a few times last year and managed to pick up a rake of rope washed ashore. Between it and plain wire we'll be ok for a little while!

Capercaillie

In the factory when the rumen is opened up loads of cattle have silage wrap, seems to do them no harm.

alps

Markcheese wrote: »

I think i'd follow the vets advice about the parafin - its cheap and aint gona do any harm , keeping her seperate to observe her and her dung a good idea too .. should be fine though

Last few years we use Carron Oil for any impaction or blockages like this. It's a blend of linseed oi l and calcium hydroxide and often used in horses to help clear colic.
We find it much easier to flow than parafin and somewhat more palatable....results are brilliant. ..15€ for 5 litres at agri stores...