Backwards calf

[Silver]

They say backwards is a “normal” presentation. I have always suspected that the odd calf might be born this way unwitnessed. I was checking the cameras before supper time today and saw this cow giving birth. She had it before I got there. I think we got lucky.

 

[bird dog]

I had to pull one like this a couple weeks back. The calves back legs did not stay straight as the cow tried to deliver and instead had dug into the side of the uterus. I was not a difficult pull, the calf just had to be pushed back in some and twisted to make room to straighten the legs and get the chains on them.

After a pull to get the back hips cleared from the pelvic area, the cow gave a big push and it came out quickly. I'm glad it worked out as its one of my best calves for the spring.

 

[Ky hills]

If they are coming that way and have trouble, time is of the essence in getting them out.
I’ve lost a few coming that way over the years.
In my experience, which is with a lot fewer cows than Silver, that kind of presentation when I have actually seen them in the act of calving almost always resulted in needing to be pulled.
even though I check my cattle frequently when calving, a lot of times it’s too late to save the calf by the time I find them in need.
The last one that I know of that presented that way, was just a few years ago. It was an odd time for a calf to come so I wasn’t checking real close and in the middle of an afternoon I saw a purchased cow walking with legs out, I identified it as backwards pretty fast and she did not want to cooperate to go to the barn. I just knew we would be pulling a dead calf, by time we got her in, but it was alive.
Years ago I had a Charolais cow that had an 80# calf that morning, unassisted and everything right. I was calving them out in a barn at that time so while I was doing my evening feeding, I noticed what looked like a water bag coming out of the cow. While 80# was small for my calves at that time I never thought about her having twins especially after that length of time sure enough it was 8 hours later and feet were coming. The toes were pointing down so I knew it was backwards and I commenced to get the pullers and chains lined up. I stopped and saw the feet had come further and before I turned back around to open gates to drive her to the chute, the calf slid right out. It was alive and weighed 60#.

 

[TCRanch]

If you find a dead newborn with essentially no umbilical cord, it's a good bet it was backwards and the cord snapped off prior to or during delivery, causing it to basically drown.

I also suspect it happens more than I realize. Six years ago, I noticed a heifer was in labor with a backwards calf. Ran to the workshop to get the chains and when I got back to the barn, she had just delivered a live, healthy calf. Whew!!

 

[Travlr]

If you find a dead newborn with essentially no umbilical cord, it's a good bet it was backwards and the cord snapped off prior to or during delivery, causing it to basically drown.

I also suspect it happens more than I realize. Six years ago, I noticed a heifer was in labor with a backwards calf. Ran to the workshop to get the chains and when I got back to the barn, she had just delivered a live, healthy calf. Whew!!

When oxygen hits the umbilical it causes the calf to start breathing. So as you say, if the calf's head is still in the birth canal it will drown. You can use a wet towel on the cord if it's a difficult birth, as long as the water is body temp.