Had to happen sooner or later. 5 year old cow went into labor around 7 Thursday night. This is her 4th calf, should be fine, right? Wrong. Headed out yesterday morning to tag/work the calf and she was still pushing. She let me palp her and it was breech. Naturally, she was deep in the woods, a good mile from either of the corrals. Thought maaaaaybe we could just back up and load her in the trailer (some of my cows are that easy) but she wasn't having it and bolted to the south pond. Quality time spent trying to catch her and eventually had to cowgirl up when my best friend came over to help. Haven't had to try my roping skills (on foot!) for a while but got her on my 2nd try and we tied her to the grill of my Polaris and put on a halter.
Could not get the back legs because she was still pushing and eventually called my vet, who came out with her husband. Gave her an epidural and it took them a good hour but was finally able to pull the calf (obviously dead by this time). Vet massaged the uterus, got the afterbirth out, didn't find any signs of tearing and inserted uterine boluses but didn't feel there was any need for antibiotics. Cow should be fine (heading out shortly to check) and she ate her afterbirth and cubes, which is a good sign.
BTW that's all that's left of the normally full south pond.
Could not get the back legs because she was still pushing and eventually called my vet, who came out with her husband. Gave her an epidural and it took them a good hour but was finally able to pull the calf (obviously dead by this time). Vet massaged the uterus, got the afterbirth out, didn't find any signs of tearing and inserted uterine boluses but didn't feel there was any need for antibiotics. Cow should be fine (heading out shortly to check) and she ate her afterbirth and cubes, which is a good sign.
BTW that's all that's left of the normally full south pond.
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