?? False Heat ??

[slick4591]

Checked on the cows two days ago and all was fine. I had one that was bred 5 weeks ago and still wearing a good patch. I have another that was bred 2 weeks ago, so I put a new patch on her. Went back to check on them today and first thing I saw was one mounting the other. Got them in the holding pen and I saw where the 5 weeks bred was trying to mount the 2 weeks bred, only she wasn't standing. The 5 weeks bred had the patch rubbed off and was showing orange.

Put a call in to the tech and he said to meet him at the farm in a few hours, which I did. By his own admission he is not the greatest at palpation on short breds and couldn't feel anything. Said she felt really firm and was not feeling like she was in heat. The only logical thought we had is she is having a false heat. Any ideas? Will pull blood tomorrow or Sunday.

 

[Nesikep]

I've had a cow in raging heat 2 months before calving.. I think she was standing for the bull for 2 days.. both were pretty tired out by the end of it.

With 5 weeks, I'd suspect a real heat.. Some cycle a bit faster than 21 days, so if you take 18 (still pretty common), you get two cycles. I think either is a possibility.

 

[inyati13]

Checked on the cows two days ago and all was fine. I had one that was bred 5 weeks ago and still wearing a good patch. I have another that was bred 2 weeks ago, so I put a new patch on her. Went back to check on them today and first thing I saw was one mounting the other. Got them in the holding pen and I saw where the 5 weeks bred was trying to mount the 2 weeks bred, only she wasn't standing. The 5 weeks bred had the patch rubbed off and was showing orange.

Put a call in to the tech and he said to meet him at the farm in a few hours, which I did. By his own admission he is not the greatest at palpation on short breds and couldn't feel anything. Said she felt really firm and was not feeling like she was in heat. The only logical thought we had is she is having a false heat. Any ideas? Will pull blood tomorrow or Sunday.

My experience is based on a limited database ( :lol: ). If I was reading that data, I would be very vigilant. She may be open. But you know that or you would not be pulling blood.

 

[cowgirl8]

We had a cow last year show in heat all winter. Moved her to a pasture of cows we plan to cull and she calved. Never looked bred, udder didnt fill until the day she calved. Surprised the heck out of me, so she got the name Surprise...

 

[Fire Sweep Ranch]

Likely early embrionic death. It happens a lot more than people realize, and the bull will pick it up. Keep us posted on the results...

 

[slick4591]

Thanks. This has thrown me since it's only a guessin game at the moment. I'll get back with blood results.

 

[Hook]

If she had enoughof preg hormones in her and the embryo died she may still test positive

 

[Nesikep]

One of my cows that would have a problem 'sticking' was one of my heavy producers. After a while, and talking to my vet, he asked if her cycles were regularly 21 days, so I checked, they were usually in the 28-30 day range, so he said she was getting bred, and losing it. Did a mineral panel on her and found out she was low in Se, Cu, and P. She bred back the week I weaned her calf, and bred back on the first try the next year since I had corrected the mineral deficiency

If you're pulling blood anyhow, I'd get some extra and do a mineral panel on her at the same time, especially if it's been a long time since (if ever) you've done one.

 

[slick4591]

If she had enoughof preg hormones in her and the embryo died she may still test positive

Wished you hadn't put that thought in my head, Hook. Guess there's another palp in her future if she come back pregnant.

Nesi, I've already pulled blood, but it's a great thought to do if she comes back open.

 

[Hook]

Sorry slick.