jkwilson
Well-known member
This is what I sent to the vet, with a little info added that he would already know. What do you think?
Heifer calved yesterday evening, no complications, approx. 70lb calf. I watched the birth, and approached when I saw no signs of life from the calf, maybe 1 minute after it was out. Calf wasn't breathing or moving. I gave it a couple of progressively harder squeezes, and no gurgling etc. through the nostrils or mouth. Tongue was gray/blue. Rolled it over trying to pick it up and noticed that the calf's right upper lip and nostril hadn't formed.
No way this calf could have nursed, so maybe being stillborn saved me having to shoot it. I looked in the vet book, and cleft palate was the only thing similar, although it didn't talk about external abnormalities.
Heifer was vaccinated 2 months pre-breeding with Bovi-Shield Gold FP 5 VL5, was in good body condition throughout pregnancy (was on feed with mineral through first three months post -breeding), is nowhere close to the bull in pedigree (registered Polled Herefords) and has not had a needle in her since vaccination.
Heifer calved yesterday evening, no complications, approx. 70lb calf. I watched the birth, and approached when I saw no signs of life from the calf, maybe 1 minute after it was out. Calf wasn't breathing or moving. I gave it a couple of progressively harder squeezes, and no gurgling etc. through the nostrils or mouth. Tongue was gray/blue. Rolled it over trying to pick it up and noticed that the calf's right upper lip and nostril hadn't formed.
No way this calf could have nursed, so maybe being stillborn saved me having to shoot it. I looked in the vet book, and cleft palate was the only thing similar, although it didn't talk about external abnormalities.
Heifer was vaccinated 2 months pre-breeding with Bovi-Shield Gold FP 5 VL5, was in good body condition throughout pregnancy (was on feed with mineral through first three months post -breeding), is nowhere close to the bull in pedigree (registered Polled Herefords) and has not had a needle in her since vaccination.