Down cow due to calf.

[hubbahubba]

I had a cow down yesterday morning. Vet out to put calcuim and mag into her. She tried to get up straight away but couldnt. Couple hours later i lifted her with hip clamp. She stood well taking all weight for an hour and even then had a little walk before falling over. This morning had to lift again but no effort from her. Put her into proper sling and still no effort to stand.

Shes a few weeks from calving. I now have her in my driest field. Im reluctand to bring her inside as no solid dung in shed.

So any idea why yesterday she would stand, even try and walk but no effort now? Really getting the better of me!

 

[primmiemoo]

Needs another dose? Tired herself when first feeling better, or maybe feeling a bit creaky from the clamp?

Does she eat and drink ok?

Hope she rallies for you.

 

[hubbahubba]

Needs another dose? Tired herself when first feeling better, or maybe feeling a bit creaky from the clamp?

Does she eat and drink ok?

Hope she rallies for you.

She eats but doesnt drink. I gave another calcuim bottle just under the skin. When i lifted yesterday i was able to take the clamp off pretty quickly.

Cheers, hope so too.

 

[livestock 1]

Ketosis? Maybe some Electrolite and some polypropylene glycol

 

[hubbahubba]

Ketosis? Maybe some Electrolite and some polypropylene glycol

I will keep going with keto drench too. Unsure what electolite is?

 

[livestock 1]

I will keep going with keto drench too. Unsure what electolite is?

Just lactade glucose. Was it the calcium cmpd that you gave it?

 

[Gallison Charolais]

If she’s really down on calcium under the skin will take to long to absorb she needs it in the vein

 

[livestock 1]

The vet gives us some sachets for downer cows which we mix with water and lend stomach tube to administer it. Not read what’s in it

 

[mixed breed]

Not quite the same as described, but I've one cow here who didnt respond to calcium, got the vet out and he gave her "Foston" phosphorus. She got up in no time. Now I always get some in stock when she's due to calf.

 

[livestock 1]

Not quite the same as described, but I've one cow here who didnt respond to calcium, got the vet out and he gave her "Foston" phosphorus. She got up in no time. Now I always get some in stock when she's due to calf.

Was that an injection?

 

[hubbahubba]

Just lactade glucose. Was it the calcium cmpd that you gave it?

The injectable number 5 i think it is. Vets checked blood and she was a little low in calcuim but never thought it was too low to stop her getting up.

 

[mixed breed]

Was that an injection?

Yep

 

[hubbahubba]

Not quite the same as described, but I've one cow here who didnt respond to calcium, got the vet out and he gave her "Foston" phosphorus. She got up in no time. Now I always get some in stock when she's due to calf.

Yeh i gave her that too, 25ml yesterday and the other 25ml today.

 

[livestock 1]

The injectable number 5 i think it is. Vets checked blood and she was a little low in calcuim but never thought it was too low to stop her getting up.

If they are looking bad we shove a full bottle 500ml into the vein the cmpd ones have mag dextrose and phos in to help. It may need some more later under the skin

 

[Northeastfarmer]

If she doesn’t improve then jab her to calve if she’s that close

 

[nails]

As mentioned give her a dose of Foston.

I had a cow down yesterday morning. Vet out to put calcuim and mag into her. She tried to get up straight away but couldnt. Couple hours later i lifted her with hip clamp. She stood well taking all weight for an hour and even then had a little walk before falling over. This morning had to lift again but no effort from her. Put her into proper sling and still no effort to stand.

Shes a few weeks from calving. I now have her in my driest field. Im reluctand to bring her inside as no solid dung in shed.

So any idea why yesterday she would stand, even try and walk but no effort now? Really getting the better of me!

I have had that before and it could simply be a case of pressure on the nerve. Hip lifters are o.k as long as you are sure she has not cracked her pelvis. That would show up in a blood test to count the white blood cells .Did your vet do that?

 

[hubbahubba]

As mentioned give her a dose of Foston.

I have had that before and it could simply be a case of pressure on the nerve. Hip lifters are o.k as long as you are sure she has not cracked her pelvis. That would show up in a blood test to count the white blood cells .Did your vet do that?

No vet never done that. Shes still down. Havnt tried lifting today with hip clamp or the sling. She is getting her self turned round but not a huge confidence she will stand again. ?

 

[Blaithin]

Three weeks out seems a stretch for MF. Does she look closer to popping?

I’d induce her. If it’s pressure on the nerve that’ll help, if it’s not you might at least get the calf out. Give more calcium in case it is MF to help her through the labour.

Did you scan to see if it’s twins? Could be drawing her down if so. Did you check for ketosis?

You should stand her every day, even if you don’t take the hip clamp off. It’ll help keep her circulation going. And make sure you lay her down on the opposite side each time.

 

[nails]

No vet never done that. Shes still down. Havnt tried lifting today with hip clamp or the sling. She is getting her self turned round but not a huge confidence she will stand again. ?

Don,t give up yet. The reason for the blood test is to ascertain whether she is injured or down for other reasons . I have had heavy in calf cows down for 5 days . This is before Hip lifters were really about and even now i am not convinced about them, very dependent on the reason she is down . As long as she is bright and eating and drinking and you can manage to roll her once a day minimum. As long as the weather is not too bad they are far better out on the grass as it gives good grip.
If she stays down too long you might well have to induce her or perform a "Farmers Caesarean"

 

[bluebell]

i had a couple of similar cases a few years ago, these were suckler cows, heavy in calf, found down in the morning, like others have said in the first case i had the vet injected Foston for phospherorus defiency aswell as calcium under the skin, acouple of bottles, so when i had a similar case i knew what to do ? long term we had all the grazing treated with basic slag and not had a case since, touchwood? we turn a cow over by using a rope tyed above one of her back leg hocks, then working the loose end under her brisket, trying to work it halfway downunder her back, then two strong people can pull her over so she lies on the otherside, as per in the vet book by eddie stanton i think?