Calf Aborted??

[TexasShooter]

I have a group of about 10 heifers that should be around 6-8 months pregnant. My bull last year tested at 50% and that's the reason I don't have a more accurate timeframe. A couple of days ago I found what seemed to be an aborted calf approx 40 lbs. The reason I say aborted is because there was no hair, or very little, that I could make out. The calf's head was still in a sac, but the rest of him seemed to be fully developed - head, hoof, tail, etc.

My questions are....was this an aborted calf and how old? If so, is there any reason to keep a close eye on the heifer? I didn't see any placenta, should I worry?

This heifer gave no outward or physical signs of having a calf - bag filling, discharge, etc. but because I don't know the timeframe when the others should be calving should I worry about the other 9 heifers?

Any input or recommendations would be appreciated.

Thanks,

 

[Cattle Rack Rancher]

Sounds like a late term abortion to me. It can be caused by several types of diseases or possibly the heifer got bunted in the wrong spot by another animal. I would probably take the calf in and have an autopsy done. You say your bull only tested at 50%. I'm going to assume you had it tested after you found that your females were coming in open. A bull that tests that low is a very expensive animal to keep. Not only does it make your cows calve in a longer time frame but that lack of fertility will get passed on down to your replacement heifers. Good Luck.

 

[jerry27150]

vets always told me once the calf was on the ground it was contaminated & any test on it would not prove anything, doesn't make any difference what you do you will alsays get a few abortions for no reason

 

[Scotty]

vets always told me once the calf was on the ground it was contaminated & any test on it would not prove anything, doesn't make any difference what you do you will alsays get a few abortions for no reason

I agree somewhat. Law of averages kicks in. I have not had for the last two years. Got a better herd health program now. Get with your vet if you don't have one. Not really saying it was because of unhealthy cattle. Better luck in the future.


Scotty

 

[Jake]

we've lost at least three calves this year from aborting after a long, hard fight with another cow.... mixing them when we went to stalks this year was a bad luck time... nothing you can really do about it, just deal with it and decide whether your going to feed her or get rid of her.

 

[Victoria]

It's never pleasant to find an aborted calf. Your heifer should be OK but watch for signs of sickness - off feed, dull eyes/hair, temperature etc. As for the other nine, chances are they should be fine as long as they are getting their proper nutrients. One thing I did just finish reading about that I thought was interesting- white mould on hay can cause abortions.

 

[SPRINGER FARMS MURRAY GRE]

The cow may have eaten the afterbirth, prbably would be prudent to keep a closer eye on the other heifers....Also should probably replace the bull. :cboy:

 

[Jeanne - Simme Valley]

This heifer gave no outward or physical signs of having a calf - bag filling, discharge, etc

How do you know which heifer aborted? Keeping an eye on them is deffinately a good thing, but if a cow/heifer aborts a month or more early, there's very little chance of saving the calf. If you have more than 1 abort in this group, I would than CALL THE VET. Could be a sign of a major "abortion storm", usually caused by a disease or something they are eating.

 

[D.R. Cattle]

The herd next door had an abortion problem a few years back. Turns out they were getting Lepto from drinking pond water and the owner wasn't vaccinating. Hit him so hard he gave up on the lease and now it's mine. I vaccinate every Spring with Cattlemaster VL5 and haven't had the same problem.