Calving help

[bo96319]

Here is my situation, we bought a couple of Herford x calves little over a year ago. The heifer got out about 9 months ago…went down the road and was caught by a neighbor and put with his cows and bull. Well she was found 3 times by the bull. Today she was down and tossing around, no sign of discharge nor swollen utters/bag. She should not calf until mid of this month; I have read a lot on the internet about this but still not surefooted on the signs that indicate I will have a calf in the next 24 hours. I had planed on having her on my dinner plate by now but things have changed, I am very new to cattle (these are my first never been around them) did not want to start a cow calf just yet. I have been told she is going to have a large calf. My question is what do I need to go get? Gloves is a given, but I don’t know what to do when I have them on (call the vet) =). What else should I keep handy? What are the signs of birth with in 24 hours?

 

[randiliana]

Here is my situation, we bought a couple of Herford x calves little over a year ago. The heifer got out about 9 months ago…went down the road and was caught by a neighbor and put with his cows and bull. Well she was found 3 times by the bull. Today she was down and tossing around, no sign of discharge nor swollen utters/bag. She should not calf until mid of this month; I have read a lot on the internet about this but still not surefooted on the signs that indicate I will have a calf in the next 24 hours. I had planed on having her on my dinner plate by now but things have changed, I am very new to cattle (these are my first never been around them) did not want to start a cow calf just yet. I have been told she is going to have a large calf. My question is what do I need to go get? Gloves is a given, but I don’t know what to do when I have them on (call the vet) =). What else should I keep handy? What are the signs of birth with in 24 hours?

First off, there is no "guarantee" that she is bred. If she is due by the middle of April, she should be showing some signs of getting ready, she should be making an udder by now. It won't necessarily be huge, but you should be able to see that it is getting larger. Her vulva should be starting to swell up and appear "looser". Also, the calf probably won't be too large, it is possible that it will be, but "normally" heifers will have smaller calves.

Now her tossing around could just mean that she has a stomach ache too. It could also mean she is calving, but you should see something, discharge, membranes.... Does she have and keep her tail in the air? If you are really concerned, why not get the neighbour with the bull (or someone else that knows cattle) over and have him look at her and/or check her out?

 

[Bret]

bo....9,
Watch for general signs of restlessness. You know how what "her" normal is. Look for things tha stand out as different--Pacing, licking their sides, like trying to relieve something there. (Dif. than grooming).

She should be able to do things on her own. But, since you have reason to expect a large calf, I would get a mentor lined up that you can call if you need to. If you are lucky enough to be around when she starts the process, you'll want to give some help after she is at it for 45 minutes to an hour. That doesn't mean to start looking for help after an hour.

Good luck.

 

[Victoria]

There should be swelling under the tail. She'll get loose and sloppy looking, some get worse than others and will even look almost bruised. A clear goop will hang out.
Most of them will bag up, not all though. I've had cows that will look like they don't have much for a bag calve an hour later and the milk comes in while they are in labour.
Don't know how big of an area yours are in but many of them will walk and stare intently in the distance searching for predators.
Especially with first timers many will get big eyes and they look nervous and scared.
Discomfort, tail swishing, holding the tail to the side or up are also other indicators.
Having said all of that every cow is different and some will display all signs and some none.
Sometimes a big calf will be just a pull but sometimes a big calf can result in a C-Section. It's nice to be cheap but a calf with a vet bill is still worth more than a dead calf or a dead calf and dead cow. You admit to being inexperienced so I think what you need to get is a vet. I don't know how far away your vet is from your ranch but you need to factor in his driving time to get to your place. Watch her for labour, started by the breaking of her water. Watch her for active pushing. If she is actively pushing and no progress is being made then you can either glove up - have a feel and see if everything is coming normally (see ABC's by CattleAnnie on the calving/breeding ) or just call the vet. Chances are if it is a normal presentation (and a big calf) she will be get the front feet out no problem but the head may get stuck. Give her about half an hour to get out that head and then get her help if she can't do it. I say only half an hour because I am assuming it was your neighbour who said she'd have a big calf and he probably knows what he is talking about.
Your heifer could easily be early too as first calves often are - especially if they are big.

You mentioned she is down and tossing around. Is she sitll doing this? What is up with her today? If she is still tossing - even if nothing is showing phone the vet.

 

[bo96319]

Here is my situation, we bought a couple of Herford x calves little over a year ago. The heifer got out about 9 months ago…went down the road and was caught by a neighbor and put with his cows and bull. Well she was found 3 times by the bull. Today she was down and tossing around, no sign of discharge nor swollen utters/bag. She should not calf until mid of this month; I have read a lot on the internet about this but still not surefooted on the signs that indicate I will have a calf in the next 24 hours. I had planed on having her on my dinner plate by now but things have changed, I am very new to cattle (these are my first never been around them) did not want to start a cow calf just yet. I have been told she is going to have a large calf. My question is what do I need to go get? Gloves is a given, but I don’t know what to do when I have them on (call the vet) =). What else should I keep handy? What are the signs of birth with in 24 hours?

First off, there is no "guarantee" that she is bred. If she is due by the middle of April, she should be showing some signs of getting ready, she should be making an udder by now. It won't necessarily be huge, but you should be able to see that it is getting larger. Her vulva should be starting to swell up and appear "looser". Also, the calf probably won't be too large, it is possible that it will be, but "normally" heifers will have smaller calves.

Now her tossing around could just mean that she has a stomach ache too. It could also mean she is calving, but you should see something, discharge, membranes.... Does she have and keep her tail in the air? If you are really concerned, why not get the neighbour with the bull (or someone else that knows cattle) over and have him look at her and/or check her out?

Well I am sure she is with calf, belly is huge! Sometimes it is all to one side. Her vulva is slightly swollen not too much, she does keep her tail off to the side alot. However, no discharge I walked the pasture she is in and did not see anything that looked like it came from her. As far as the neighbor, he does not speak english, I do have a friend down the road that has been through this before, he has and will help I just don't want to bug him every hour with my overexcitment. Thanks for your advice
I will keep ya posted

 

[bo96319]

bo....9,
Watch for general signs of restlessness. You know how what "her" normal is. Look for things tha stand out as different--Pacing, licking their sides, like trying to relieve something there. (Dif. than grooming).

She should be able to do things on her own. But, since you have reason to expect a large calf, I would get a mentor lined up that you can call if you need to. If you are lucky enough to be around when she starts the process, you'll want to give some help after she is at it for 45 minutes to an hour. That doesn't mean to start looking for help after an hour.

Good luck.

She is liking her left side more than normal and not her right...she does seem to be on edge lost. lastnight when I went out to check on her she just followed me around, normaly will see if I have food and then just go back to grazing. This week is fair and my kids have rabbits and horses so I will be running around like crazy.
Thanks

 

[bo96319]

There should be swelling under the tail. She'll get loose and sloppy looking, some get worse than others and will even look almost bruised. A clear goop will hang out.
Most of them will bag up, not all though. I've had cows that will look like they don't have much for a bag calve an hour later and the milk comes in while they are in labour.
Don't know how big of an area yours are in but many of them will walk and stare intently in the distance searching for predators.
Especially with first timers many will get big eyes and they look nervous and scared.
Discomfort, tail swishing, holding the tail to the side or up are also other indicators.
Having said all of that every cow is different and some will display all signs and some none.
Sometimes a big calf will be just a pull but sometimes a big calf can result in a C-Section. It's nice to be cheap but a calf with a vet bill is still worth more than a dead calf or a dead calf and dead cow. You admit to being inexperienced so I think what you need to get is a vet. I don't know how far away your vet is from your ranch but you need to factor in his driving time to get to your place. Watch her for labour, started by the breaking of her water. Watch her for active pushing. If she is actively pushing and no progress is being made then you can either glove up - have a feel and see if everything is coming normally (see ABC's by CattleAnnie on the calving/breeding ) or just call the vet. Chances are if it is a normal presentation (and a big calf) she will be get the front feet out no problem but the head may get stuck. Give her about half an hour to get out that head and then get her help if she can't do it. I say only half an hour because I am assuming it was your neighbour who said she'd have a big calf and he probably knows what he is talking about.
Your heifer could easily be early too as first calves often are - especially if they are big.

You mentioned she is down and tossing around. Is she sitll doing this? What is up with her today? If she is still tossing - even if nothing is showing phone the vet.

No she is not still tossing around was just doing that for about 30 min. she is back on her feet. I would like to glove up but I am not sure what to feel for, I would guess a calf but I don't want to cause any problems if yesterdays episode was a belly ache and not labor. Any pointers on that? I will get a vet out here if needed just not 100% on when to get here out here, I probly will call too soon. Oh well the bull's work was free so I guess I have to pay the piper sooner or later =)
I will keep you all informed
Again thanks for your fast responces
I will try to figure out how to post pics.

 

[randiliana]

. I would like to glove up but I am not sure what to feel for, I would guess a calf but I don't want to cause any problems if yesterdays episode was a belly ache and not labor.

If you decide to glove up, as long as you are gentle, and have her properly restrained, you should be OK. Basically, what you are feeling for are the hooves, and head, you should be able to wrap your hand around the leg. If it feels like there is something between your hand and the leg (besides a thin membrane) then she is likely not ready yet.

The best thing might be to get someone experienced over and have them look at her. If they think she should be checked out, glove up yourself, and have a feel inside too. That way you can ask them what you are feeling. Let them check her first so they can tell you what is going on. Most cattle people won't mind giving you a hand and answering your questions ;-)

 

[msscamp]

Today she was down and tossing around, no sign of discharge nor swollen utters/bag. She should not calf until mid of this month;

The responses posted are correct, but you should also be aware that first time heifers can take up to 10, even 12 hours to get down to business and calve. They can also calve without bagging up, and without dilating (symptoms of dilation are the loose vulvar area). I don't mean to rain on your parade or confuse you even further, but these circumstances are a definite possibility that you need to be aware of. Good luck with your heifer.

PS Forgot to add that although gestation in cattle is listed as 283 days, it can vary by +/- 10 days - 2 weeks or thereabouts.

 

[Susie David]

Don't be anxious...it sounds like you are dying to stick your hand in a cow...now is not the time!
Every cow handles calving differently...when she's ready look for the mucus plug being expelled, kicking at the belly, holding the tail high and straight, some do a backward walk, some just hunker down and start to push a calf out.
Cattle Annie posted some great info on claving, do a search.
Don't be in a hurry to pull a calf...progress is the key to knowing when to assist, as long as she is gaining on the process, a little more calf every fifteen minutes or so and you have a normal presentation let nature handle the calving.
Do some homework and learn what a normal birth is, then you'll know when to assist.
Good luck to you...we had a small herf heifer clave a 80# heifer calf, had to straighten the head and all was over in twenty minutes. Dmc

 

[Ryder]

Today she was down and tossing around, no sign of discharge nor swollen utters/bag. She should not calf until mid of this month;

While the responses posted so far are correct, you should also be aware that first time heifers can take up to 10, even 12 hours to get down to business and calve. They can also calve without bagging up, and without dilating (symptoms of dilation are the loose vulvar area). I don't mean to rain on your parade or confuse you even further, but these circumstances are a definite possibility that you need to be aware of. Good luck with your heifer.

Msscamp is right on. Some of the crafty ones show no sign nor behavior beforehand. You don't know they are going to calve until they show up with a calf.
If you think the due date is a while off, I would not be 'gloving up'. Just watch her and when the time comes if she looks like she is really needing help, get someone who has pulled calves before to give you a hand and watch them.
Just be patient. Odds are that she will have the calf at the proper time without any problem.

 

[bo96319]

Well, so far she has been normal for the last 24 hours, I guess I am over reacting and she might have just had upset stomach. I want to thank everyone for the help, I will keep everyone uptodate on the progrss.
Thanks again
Bo

 

[TheBullLady]

I'm going to guess it wasn't an "upset stomach", but possibly the calf is positioned akwardly. You should have plenty of time time call the vet when she's actually close to calving. Don't worry! Be glad you have a vet close that's willing to come out.

 

[Victoria]

You will know when the time comes. ;-)

 

[johndeerefarmer]

I have never "gloved up" in my life and I have been calving cows for over 25 years. What's wrong with a bare arm?

 

[dun]

I have never "gloved up" in my life and I have been calving cows for over 25 years. What's wrong with a bare arm?

This was mentioned a week or so back. If you're going to have to go into a cowmultiple times, your bare hand/arm will irritate the lining and cause more swelling then if you use a glove. If you only have to go in once it's no big deal.

dun

 

[johndeerefarmer]

I have never "gloved up" in my life and I have been calving cows for over 25 years. What's wrong with a bare arm?

This was mentioned a week or so back. If you're going to have to go into a cowmultiple times, your bare hand/arm will irritate the lining and cause more swelling then if you use a glove. If you only have to go in once it's no big deal.

dun

Not my arms. They are hairless and as soft as a babie's bottom. :D