pregnant heifer - show of blood

[Anonymous]

Last night I noticed one of my pregnant heifers (+/- 5 months pregnant) had passed a small amount of blood, with a bit of clot in it. I saw the blood on the ground (around 2 tablespoons) by a cow pat. Then I saw a smear of blood on her tail. This morning I got her in to check, the smear on the tail had dried up and no more discharge was evident. I could not see any evidence from either :?: reproductive or digestive tract.

No mucous was sighted.

Her temperature was normal (101 deg F).

Any thoughts on what this might be - I realise it could be a whole range of things. My first thought was that she may be aborting - but nothing further seems to have happened.

 

[Texan]

You need to try to find out exactly where it's coming from. Had one last year do the exact same thing. Finally decided the blood was from the rectum and I still don't know why. She had a normal calf all by herself and she probably didn't weigh 700. She did the same thing this year and still had a perfect calf. Maybe she passes a little blood all through the year and we just notice it more when they get close.

 

[Anonymous]

That is interestig Texan - thanks for that.

I searched the for a foetus but found nothing.

No further bleeding seen since - just the dried up smear on her tail.

Still none the wiser as to whether it came from reproductive or other tracts! Will keep a close eye.

You are right though, if I had not seen the fresh blood when I did I would prob never not have been aware of anything odd happening!