Dead calf

[tncattle]

Found a 1 1/2 day old dead calf today. It appeared it had bled out through the umbilical cord. There wasn't a ton of blood but a fair amount. Is it possible it got stepped on or crushed somehow? I hate finding dead calves!

 

[Boot Jack Bulls]

Timeline is about right for an umbilical tear causing the death. Might have just ripped off too close to the torso during calving. They often make it 12-36 hours in this condition.

 

[tncattle]

I tagged and banded him yesterday and all seemed well. I don't normally use 7 percent tincture iodine but maybe I should start doing this regularly?

 

[angus9259]

I tagged and banded him yesterday and all seemed well. I don't normally use 7 percent tincture iodine but maybe I should start doing this regularly?

My vet's not a fan of that - says it doesn't do much. How would that have prevented a bleed out?

Horrible thing to find...

 

[Aaron]

I had one a couple years ago. Tore close to body and steady drip. Lucky I caught it. I put a band on it and crossed fingers. It never did fully heal over until about 6 months of age. Even at 4 months, there was a raw umbilical stub - thankfully a fall calf, so no flies.

 

[tncattle]

I tagged and banded him yesterday and all seemed well. I don't normally use 7 percent tincture iodine but maybe I should start doing this regularly?

My vet's not a fan of that - says it doesn't do much. How would that have prevented a bleed out?

Horrible thing to find...

Why is your vet not a fan of Iodine?

 

[TexasBred]

I tagged and banded him yesterday and all seemed well. I don't normally use 7 percent tincture iodine but maybe I should start doing this regularly?

My vet's not a fan of that - says it doesn't do much. How would that have prevented a bleed out?

Horrible thing to find...

Why is your vet not a fan of Iodine?

It's does little more than temporarily sterilize it. Does not stop bleeding especially if it is severe.

 

[Ol' 243]

Dang buddy, sorry to hear that. Sucks to lose em at any age.

 

[bball]

Anyone ever attempt to cauterize a slow bleeder?

 

[angus9259]

My vet's not a fan of that - says it doesn't do much. How would that have prevented a bleed out?

Horrible thing to find...

Why is your vet not a fan of Iodine?

It's does little more than temporarily sterilize it. Does not stop bleeding especially if it is severe.

And - according to him - the concentration is so low that it isn't even much of a temporary sterilization either. According to him, the cord stays open so long you need to repeat a couple of times within the 24 hour or so period if you really want to make sure nothing is getting in....

 

[backhoeboogie]

Anyone ever attempt to cauterize a slow bleeder?

I didn't have the tools with me. I crimped off what was there and pinched it with a band.

 

[JMJ Farms]

Why is your vet not a fan of Iodine?

It's does little more than temporarily sterilize it. Does not stop bleeding especially if it is severe.

And - according to him - the concentration is so low that it isn't even much of a temporary sterilization either. According to him, the cord stays open so long you need to repeat a couple of times within the 24 hour or so period if you really want to make sure nothing is getting in....

He's probably exactly right. But here's my :2cents: I spray the navel with peroxide. I can see it working (some times more than others). Then I spray with Triodyne 7. My thinking is that while it may not be 100% effective in accomplishing my goal, it most certainly isn't hurting anything. And I haven't had a swollen navel on a calf in two years since I started doing this. Luck? Maybe. But like I said isn't not hurting anything and it's inexpensive. But it probably wouldn't have helped your calf bc of the bleeding, other than getting you close enough that you may recognize a problem that you otherwise may have not noticed.

 

[M-5]

I keep a old bottle of umbilical thread in my box , I've tied off a few cords on ones that just didn't look right and trim off excess. I have not lost one that way yet. Knock on wood.