Multiple C Sections

[Blaithin]

Are there any increased risks or difficulties for a cow having multiple c sections?

C’s really aren’t put up with here but with the numbers I’ve seen from BB calvings Id think someone over there may have experience with cows requiring c sections for more than one birth.

My thought was there may be scar tissue in the way.

 

[Northeastfarmer]

There’s always high risk performing any ceaser so the more you do the higher the risk....if I had a cow that had more than one it would be down the road

 

[holwellcourtfarm]

Are there any increased risks or difficulties for a cow having multiple c sections?

C’s really aren’t put up with here but with the numbers I’ve seen from BB calvings Id think someone over there may have experience with cows requiring c sections for more than one birth.

My thought was there may be scar tissue in the way.

We rarely C section thankfully and have never done a cow twice. Our vet explained that some extreme BB herds C section every birth

In these cases the scar tissue is a big deal. He said they do 4 on the left and 1 on the right then cull. The first left one is done far back or forward to allow for the subsequent ones to be done away from the scar tissue.

To me that's just not farming I'm afraid

 

[GenuineRisk]

I don’t know who your vet is referring to but no UK BB farm I know of does 4 sections on the left and one on the right! I can’t swear for farms in Belgium but the ‘norm’ there would be three on an average cow then in the fat pen. Cows that produce exceptional first calves get flushed and you don’t risk good stock getters by having repeated sections as they will adhese and low success rate for flushing thereafter.

However, times they re a-changing even in Belgium and easy calving sires are being researched as pressure builds to reduce routine c-sections. One of the biggest semen companies in Belgium is looking to source UK genetics to fast track this aim.

 

[Downtrodden Dad]

Had a cow that had 3. First as a heifer so gave it the benefit of the doubt, second as a second calver, then went on the cull list, somehow ended up in calf again and had a third. All calves where fine and so was the cow but it didn't get another chance.
It wasn't even a pure and we still have its twin sister that has been no problem.

 

[Northeastfarmer]

£400 for a ceaser, and a chance you lose everything, rather take £100 less at the other end and breed less shapely ones

 

[Blaithin]

This wouldn’t be a case of breeding selection but of letting her carry to term or not.

It’s a one cow specific situation.

 

[Cowcalf]

they only look like Michelin men they certainly do not have the best taste, ok but nothing outstanding

 

[farmerclare]

Our vet explained that some extreme BB herds C section every birth

There's a Limousin herd that has a c section for every birth so they don't lose the calves.

 

[Paul E]

Better a c section than a bad calving and 2 deaths.
Of course there is more risk, just because it is a surgical procedure, but as stated above, the alternatives could be a lot lot worse.

 

[RushesToo]

This wouldn’t be a case of breeding selection but of letting her carry to term or not.

It’s a one cow specific situation.

A one cow specific situation means you will do it even if you shouldn't . Sounds that the maximum that you can have is 4, so she will need to be special to keep her, and somewhat expensive.
Favourite cows get favourite treatment. Maybe put her to a really easy calving sire to keep her going if she is special or you will end up doing something that you will regret.
I do think that you should have in mind a point where you decide no more - I would hope this wouldn't be death from a failed calving. C section or otherwise.

Don't keep the offspring - sorry :-(.

 

[Purli R]

I don’t know who your vet is referring to but no UK BB farm I know of does 4 sections on the left and one on the right! I can’t swear for farms in Belgium but the ‘norm’ there would be three on an average cow then in the fat pen. Cows that produce exceptional first calves get flushed and you don’t risk good stock getters by having repeated sections as they will adhese and low success rate for flushing thereafter.

However, times they re a-changing even in Belgium and easy calving sires are being researched as pressure builds to reduce routine c-sections. One of the biggest semen companies in Belgium is looking to source UK genetics to fast track this aim.

Dont really think they give a toss about natural calving in belgium,perhaps show interest-enough to say they are doing something about it.Certain belgian AI Company here last week,not at all interested in natural calving & couldn t believe BB cows had 10 calves,live till 14 yrs old & dont live on maize n proven

 

[KK6610]

Just had cow had a second c section because calf was coming backwards, 1st was due to a hard calving bull as a heifer, had 2 unassisted calvings in between. Vet groaned when clipping revealed previous scar. Uterus was reduced in size and difficult to get calf out due to scarring from first caesar. Stitching the uterus back up was difficult too. She won't see the bull again.

 

[Cecil snear]

There's a Limousin herd that has a c section for every birth so they don't lose the calves.

Is this herd based on Devon / somerset border .

 

[Blaithin]

A one cow specific situation means you will do it even if you shouldn't . Sounds that the maximum that you can have is 4, so she will need to be special to keep her, and somewhat expensive.
Favourite cows get favourite treatment. Maybe put her to a really easy calving sire to keep her going if she is special or you will end up doing something that you will regret.
I do think that you should have in mind a point where you decide no more - I would hope this wouldn't be death from a failed calving. C section or otherwise.

Don't keep the offspring - sorry :-(.

She’s currently on an abort when she catches regime. Just this time around she was quite fond of that little fetus. Trust her to be that bass ackwards that she wasn’t that fond of her full term calf but ooo a little fetus!

Just made me toss around the idea of maybe letting her raise another if she catches again.

If anything, deciding Id let her carry should delay the speed of her breeding back

 

[Jackov Altraids]

I asked my vet this question while she was performing a Cesarean a couple weeks ago. She considered the maximum would be 3 as after that there would be a large likelihood of previous scar tissue causing a big problem.
Doing one on the right would be a last option and shouldn't really be considered.

 

[GenuineRisk]

Dont really think they give a toss about natural calving in belgium,perhaps show interest-enough to say they are doing something about it.Certain belgian AI Company here last week,not at all interested in natural calving & couldn t believe BB cows had 10 calves,live till 14 yrs old & dont live on maize n proven

It’s gong to be a very long process but the company we’re now dealing with certainly are starting to put the wheels in motion to have bulls in AI station that can promote natural calving on cross breds , ie they are moving strongly into the commercial cattle sector here, in North America and even back home on dairy herds.

 

[GenuineRisk]

There's a Limousin herd that has a c section for every birth so they don't lose the calves.

Is this herd based on Devon / somerset border .

So is it? If it’s true, there’s no comeback is there so have the courage to name the herd as you obviously disapprove.

 

[farmerclare]

So is it? If it’s true, there’s no comeback is there so have the courage to name the herd as you obviously disapprove.

Yes I do disapprove as well you know

 

[GenuineRisk]

I do indeed know but I don’t see the point of your comments and you haven’t answered my question - is Cecil snear correct ?