So calving season is underway here and thankfully, we have had the mildest winter i can ever remember in Indiana.
I have 4 Hereford first calvers. First 2 went off great. Had the 3rd in the barn last weekend in preparation for her calving. Went out first thing Sat am to check her (as she was getting close and we were leaving to go 2 hours north to watch the boy wrestle at semi state finals) and i was pleased to see a healthy new calf laying in the straw and the new dam was licking him. I thought, Perfect! She had the calf no problems and away i would go. WRONG! She spun around and most of what should have been her innards had now become her outtards. Major uterine and rectal prolapses. Of course, I have no time for this, as I had a vehicle loaded up with folks to head north for the wrestling matches. Fortunately, I have an exceptional vet service nearby. She came out quickly. My FIL met her there and they got her put back together with some degree of effort; thus, permitting me to roll north. Doc gave her a 50/50 shot of making it. So far, so good. Bright eyed, eating, drinking and nursing her calf.
I am just a small hobby guy with 25 cows. Been around cattle growing up as a boy and got back into them in 98. Had never had a prolapse before this one, but had never owned any fullblood Hereford cattle either. Thought i read somewhere that the Herefords can have more of a predisposition for prolapse compared to other breeds.
I'm just pleased she made it(so far) and will raise the calf. Will cull in fall.
Wish I had snapped some pics, but was in a rush and neglected to.
I have 4 Hereford first calvers. First 2 went off great. Had the 3rd in the barn last weekend in preparation for her calving. Went out first thing Sat am to check her (as she was getting close and we were leaving to go 2 hours north to watch the boy wrestle at semi state finals) and i was pleased to see a healthy new calf laying in the straw and the new dam was licking him. I thought, Perfect! She had the calf no problems and away i would go. WRONG! She spun around and most of what should have been her innards had now become her outtards. Major uterine and rectal prolapses. Of course, I have no time for this, as I had a vehicle loaded up with folks to head north for the wrestling matches. Fortunately, I have an exceptional vet service nearby. She came out quickly. My FIL met her there and they got her put back together with some degree of effort; thus, permitting me to roll north. Doc gave her a 50/50 shot of making it. So far, so good. Bright eyed, eating, drinking and nursing her calf.
I am just a small hobby guy with 25 cows. Been around cattle growing up as a boy and got back into them in 98. Had never had a prolapse before this one, but had never owned any fullblood Hereford cattle either. Thought i read somewhere that the Herefords can have more of a predisposition for prolapse compared to other breeds.
I'm just pleased she made it(so far) and will raise the calf. Will cull in fall.
Wish I had snapped some pics, but was in a rush and neglected to.