Amo
Well-known member
- Joined
- Oct 30, 2010
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Ive ran cows for almost 20 years now. Started out with 5, now up to about 150. Over that span, Ive had maybe half a dozen C Sections. 2 years ago I had 2 c sections. First one was a solid mouth cow. Head down and wouldn't stay up. Vet came out, & we tried to pull it. Well it was the first hot day of the spring. Cow was riled up. Went down in the chute & had to let her out. When we let her out to get her up, she tried to jump out of the coral. Got her in, cut open & sewed up. While she was sewing her up, she said "now don't be suprised if she don't make it. Heifers will always survive a c section, but only 5% of the cows will". Well we let her out. She layed down behind the barn facing North. Next day she was facing South. Third day dead! I seen vet one day. She asked how the critter was doing. I said calf is fine. Cow died. Next day I got her bill!
Several weeks after that I took one to a different vet. He had a short temper & was in a bad mood when I got there. Tried to pull it there after I tried to pull it at home, but couldn't. So he cut her open. When he was done she was pretty week, but walked onto the trailer. She never walked off.
Well today I had a heifer that was supposed to calve mid march get bred early. Calf wasn't big, but heifer was small. So took to vet just in case. Tried to pull, but vet decided to cut. Very young vet. No clue if he had done one before or not. Anyhow, gave spinal tap, numbed the area. Half way through initial cut, heifer went down. She "scooted" out. She tries to get up. As of 2 hrs after the initial cut, she still wouldn't get up. Left her at the vet. He gave her some calcium.
Guess what Im wondering is how often does this happen? Is it from not getting the spinal tap in the right spot? Is the survival rate of c sections really that bad....cause Ive been told its not. IF heifer don't make it does clinic have any libality coverage? Im not the type to sue over hot coffee. She did walk off the trailer fine. We are all human and accidents happen. They also have the degree and charge for their service.
The first cow who knows what happened. The second I think she bled internally maybe both cows had that problem. Or maybe a spinal tap in the wrong spot. First cow vet had a hard time with spinal tap. Kinda thinking that might be the problem. Ive had several where the cow stands for the whole procedure, walks on the trailer, and raises the calf. Hopefully that's what happens here. Casually mentioned the previous 2 experiences to other non-local vets that year. They said it shouldn't of happened. I kinda agree. This deal today, Im not sure. Im hoping for the best. Just kinda curious.
Thanks
Several weeks after that I took one to a different vet. He had a short temper & was in a bad mood when I got there. Tried to pull it there after I tried to pull it at home, but couldn't. So he cut her open. When he was done she was pretty week, but walked onto the trailer. She never walked off.
Well today I had a heifer that was supposed to calve mid march get bred early. Calf wasn't big, but heifer was small. So took to vet just in case. Tried to pull, but vet decided to cut. Very young vet. No clue if he had done one before or not. Anyhow, gave spinal tap, numbed the area. Half way through initial cut, heifer went down. She "scooted" out. She tries to get up. As of 2 hrs after the initial cut, she still wouldn't get up. Left her at the vet. He gave her some calcium.
Guess what Im wondering is how often does this happen? Is it from not getting the spinal tap in the right spot? Is the survival rate of c sections really that bad....cause Ive been told its not. IF heifer don't make it does clinic have any libality coverage? Im not the type to sue over hot coffee. She did walk off the trailer fine. We are all human and accidents happen. They also have the degree and charge for their service.
The first cow who knows what happened. The second I think she bled internally maybe both cows had that problem. Or maybe a spinal tap in the wrong spot. First cow vet had a hard time with spinal tap. Kinda thinking that might be the problem. Ive had several where the cow stands for the whole procedure, walks on the trailer, and raises the calf. Hopefully that's what happens here. Casually mentioned the previous 2 experiences to other non-local vets that year. They said it shouldn't of happened. I kinda agree. This deal today, Im not sure. Im hoping for the best. Just kinda curious.
Thanks