sidney411
Well-known member
How long would it take a newborn calf to die if it got no milk from the time of birth? Also, if a calf is born dead haw long would it take the mother to 'dry up'? If a calf is dead in the womb could it cause a cow the never come into milk?
Reason for my questions:
Last night while checking the herd I found a calf 'proped' up against a tree, dead. It was full term, clean, nice looking calf - just dead. It was still limber and had no preditation injuries. No injuries at all that were visible. Eyes were open and clear, a little sunken in though. Momma was laying close by, when I checked her I thought all was well because of the position of the calf it looked ok but I noticed it did not respond when she balled at it. I had not checked the herd since last week but I knew this cow was due anytime. She is a 7 year old hereford in great body condition, fleshy. We put her in the pen and went to the dairy and got a newborn to graft to her and put her in the chute to show the calf how to nurse since it had been on the bottle. The cow has no milk at all! Her bag is not at all swollen, it is very flacid. I tried bumpinb her and usually we will get a few drop at least even if the cow is not letting her milk down. I can usually feel it in the udder, but this cow has nothing. I don't feel the hardness of mastitis and the tits are not hard or swollen, I feel no lumps inside, I don't see any physical defects.
Could a cow never come into milk when her calf is born? She was mothering this dead calf fantastically and was very protective if it so I know it is not a proplem with 'want'. How can I know if this will happen next time she has a calf or if it is a freak thing that happened, if it is what happened.
Thanks for all everyone's help!
Reason for my questions:
Last night while checking the herd I found a calf 'proped' up against a tree, dead. It was full term, clean, nice looking calf - just dead. It was still limber and had no preditation injuries. No injuries at all that were visible. Eyes were open and clear, a little sunken in though. Momma was laying close by, when I checked her I thought all was well because of the position of the calf it looked ok but I noticed it did not respond when she balled at it. I had not checked the herd since last week but I knew this cow was due anytime. She is a 7 year old hereford in great body condition, fleshy. We put her in the pen and went to the dairy and got a newborn to graft to her and put her in the chute to show the calf how to nurse since it had been on the bottle. The cow has no milk at all! Her bag is not at all swollen, it is very flacid. I tried bumpinb her and usually we will get a few drop at least even if the cow is not letting her milk down. I can usually feel it in the udder, but this cow has nothing. I don't feel the hardness of mastitis and the tits are not hard or swollen, I feel no lumps inside, I don't see any physical defects.
Could a cow never come into milk when her calf is born? She was mothering this dead calf fantastically and was very protective if it so I know it is not a proplem with 'want'. How can I know if this will happen next time she has a calf or if it is a freak thing that happened, if it is what happened.
Thanks for all everyone's help!