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COWS-fed-barely-sprouting-fodders, page : 76
When the cow starts to calve the stitches must be removed at the onset of labor or she will tear them out or have difficulty calving. Cut them with surgical scissors, tin snips, a very sharp knife or whatever you have on hand to cut them quickly and easily without poking the cow.
As soon as she has calved, the pressure that caused the prolapse will no longer exist and she most likely will have no further problems until the next pregnancy. Most owners cull a cow once she has prolapsed. However if she is a gentle cow, not difficult to work with, and has really good calves, you might decided to keep her and be prepared for coping with future prolapses. HOWEVER, THE CALVES OF SUCH A COW SHOULD NEVER BE KEPT FOR BREEDING, BECAUSE THEY WILL MOST LIKELY INHERIT THIS STRUCTURAL WEAKNESS.
CHAPTER 7 - CALVING
This is the time you have been waiting for so be prepared for calving. Have all the proper facilities and supplies easy at hand to ensure less risk for the cow and her calf.
Preparation:
Plan where you want your cow to calve. If the weather is warm, a clean grassy pasture is a nice place for calving and is not likely to be contaminated with bacteria as it would be in a barnyard or corral, thereby avoiding naval infection. Be on the look out for hazards, if a cow lies down next to a ditch, pond or even a large puddle of water when she goes into labor there is the danger that the calve may drown. Even a dry ditch can cause a problem if the cow lies down in it and she cannot right herself. Whether she is flat on her side and gets a little on her back, it may be impossible for her to get up, she may bloat and then suffocate. If the pasture is very large a cow about to calve may go to the far end or hide in the hedges, seeking a safe and secluded place to give birth.
It is a good idea to have heifers in a place where you can check on them 24 hours a day when they are about to calve. A first time heifer might need help birthing, and you also want to make sure she mothers the calf and nurses it soon after birth. A small pasture close to your house is ideal where you can easily monitor them day and night. IT IS IMPORTANT TO BE THERE FOR EVERY BIRTHING.
Most calves are born head first. The awaited calf may not be in the right position when the time for birthing arrives and has to be corrected. A backward calf, i.e. hind feet first, or one born with the amnion sac still right over its head need your full attention so be ready to give assistance if needed.
Summer calving:
If your cows are going to calve in
As soon as she has calved, the pressure that caused the prolapse will no longer exist and she most likely will have no further problems until the next pregnancy. Most owners cull a cow once she has prolapsed. However if she is a gentle cow, not difficult to work with, and has really good calves, you might decided to keep her and be prepared for coping with future prolapses. HOWEVER, THE CALVES OF SUCH A COW SHOULD NEVER BE KEPT FOR BREEDING, BECAUSE THEY WILL MOST LIKELY INHERIT THIS STRUCTURAL WEAKNESS.
CHAPTER 7 - CALVING
This is the time you have been waiting for so be prepared for calving. Have all the proper facilities and supplies easy at hand to ensure less risk for the cow and her calf.
Preparation:
Plan where you want your cow to calve. If the weather is warm, a clean grassy pasture is a nice place for calving and is not likely to be contaminated with bacteria as it would be in a barnyard or corral, thereby avoiding naval infection. Be on the look out for hazards, if a cow lies down next to a ditch, pond or even a large puddle of water when she goes into labor there is the danger that the calve may drown. Even a dry ditch can cause a problem if the cow lies down in it and she cannot right herself. Whether she is flat on her side and gets a little on her back, it may be impossible for her to get up, she may bloat and then suffocate. If the pasture is very large a cow about to calve may go to the far end or hide in the hedges, seeking a safe and secluded place to give birth.
It is a good idea to have heifers in a place where you can check on them 24 hours a day when they are about to calve. A first time heifer might need help birthing, and you also want to make sure she mothers the calf and nurses it soon after birth. A small pasture close to your house is ideal where you can easily monitor them day and night. IT IS IMPORTANT TO BE THERE FOR EVERY BIRTHING.
Most calves are born head first. The awaited calf may not be in the right position when the time for birthing arrives and has to be corrected. A backward calf, i.e. hind feet first, or one born with the amnion sac still right over its head need your full attention so be ready to give assistance if needed.
Summer calving:
If your cows are going to calve in