Calving problems.

[had e nuff]

Currently calving a batch of blue heifers and having problems with them. They start calving fine but then just don't seem to push. Had to pull 8 out of the last 9. Calves are small lims and come out easy. They are good mothers and calves are up and sucking quickly. Had pre calver tubs outside and pre calving minerals since they came in.
Thanks for any advice.

 

[Wazmos]

Might be worth tipping some iodine on them, until we started blousing we were iodine deficient some would stop pushing others just not very lively calves.

 

[had e nuff]

Might be worth tipping some iodine on them, until we started blousing we were iodine deficient some would stop pushing others just not very lively calves.

Do i just pour it along their backs. Calves have all been lively.

 

[shearerlad]

Check selenium levels too.
My cows were very low so now jag with 10mls of vitesel at same time as rota/corona vaccine

Helps a lot with cows calving/cleansing and calves sucking

Edit that’s along with 60ml of iodine squirted along their backs

 

[Northeastfarmer]

Do i just pour it along their backs. Calves have all been lively.

Yea about 15ml but neeeds to be on about a month before they calve

 

[Wazmos]

Along there backs and on there ribs, think they absorb some and the others like it off to, worth a go, think I was watering it down a little.

 

[milkloss]

Had some bought in Sussex like that myself a few years ago, to a lim bull as well. You could walk behind them feeding and not see an issue till the next morning where they had obv been trying to calve for quite a while but not showing any signs at all. They hadn’t been pushing or bedding or even going off on their own. Never realised it could have been I and/or Se. Lost about 3 calves out of 12 over it.

 

[had e nuff]

Probably a bit late now as they should all be calved in next 2 weeks. Will do the cows though, they not due till Feb.
Thanks for the advice.

 

[AGN76]

Give them a lifeline bucket too.

 

[had e nuff]

Give them a lifeline bucket too.

They were on them till they came in then switched onto bagged minerals mixed in the silage with a bit of blend.

 

[Purli R]

Probably a bit late now as they should all be calved in next 2 weeks. Will do the cows though, they not due till Feb.
Thanks for the advice.

If you've not treated them, it IS worth getting the vet out and blood testing them using a pooled blood Iodine test.
You will probably loose a lot if you don't find out exactly what you are dealing with, and find the best method of supplementation.

 

[Spartacus]

Probably a bit late now as they should all be calved in next 2 weeks. Will do the cows though, they not due till Feb.
Thanks for the advice.

We were having problems later on in calving with the thrifty nature of the new born calves, gave the last few iodine (not long before calving) and they seemed much better for it so it's worth doing even at a late stage.

 

[Paul E]

Yes. Agree with that, get some Iodine slapped on/ in asap. On the bare skin next to their backsides is good so it has good contact/ absorbtion.

 

[Downtrodden Dad]

If the calves are lively I would think it is not iodine or selenium although both are easily treated and can't do any harm. Given the symptoms you describe i would suggest getting your vet to look at calcium levels.

 

[Forever Fendt]

Yea about 15ml but neeeds to be on about a month before they calve

The same iodine you would buy to do navels ? as i notice some are different strengths or would i need to get it from the vets

 

[Northeastfarmer]

The same iodine you would buy to do navels ? as i notice some are different strengths or would i need to get it from the vets

Just the same iodine

 

[bluepower]

Just the same iodine

You can now buy topical iodine which designed for pouring on to cattle backs. Available down in the south from Barkers Animal Health or Wessex. Not sure that your problem is iodine deficiency though as that would be dopey calves and retained cleanings in my experience.Another thought would be phosphate levels but as others have said a couple of blood tests should reveal what is wrong.

 

[Northeastfarmer]

@had e nuff are the heifers and cows bolused?

 

[matthew]

The same iodine you would buy to do navels ? as i notice some are different strengths or would i need to get it from the vets

The base of most iodine products has changed to 'spirit'. It's oily, doesn't disssolve in water and doesn't absorb very well either. We've had to resort to buying it pure as 10x strength Lugols iodine and diluting with distilled water. Had a problem last year.
;

You can now buy topical iodine which designed for pouring on to cattle backs. Available down in the south from Barkers Animal Health or Wessex. Not sure that your problem is iodine deficiency though as that would be dopey calves and retained cleanings in my experience.Another thought would be phosphate levels but as others have said a couple of blood tests should reveal what is wrong.

I'm glad that someone has produced a topical product.

 

[had e nuff]

@had e nuff are the heifers and cows bolused?

No never bothered with boluses before. Calved hundreds of dairy heifers over the years with no problems.