Calf Navel Problem?

bjreroberts · Post by **bjreroberts** » Fri Aug 10, 2007 11:33 am

I have a 10 day old heifer calf whose umbilical cord broke natuarally during birth <2" long. It was dipped in iodine solution and has healed.

However, she has now developed a small "sack of skin" around the navel which hangs down about 1" from her belly, is no larger than a golf ball and on examination feels empty. She is not in any discomfort from it and is running around and feeding normally.

As a new keeper, reading the books has got me paranoid. But I believe it is not unusual for this to occur and should soon rectify itself. I only need to worry if it feels full in which case it could be an abcess or hernia.

Is this correct or should I call the vet?

Photo here, but not sure whether it will help http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=&id=672501531

Kirk- Cascade Herd US · Sun Aug 12, 2007 5:29 am

I couldn't see the photo, but every one of ours has this loose skin as you described at the navel. It hasn't been a problem for us and tightens up a bit as they grow.

Inger · Post by **Inger** » Sun Aug 12, 2007 12:32 pm

My Dad used to say that the good heifers always had a lump there. He reckoned it lead on to the cow having a large vein to the udder and making her a high milk producer. :laugh: Perhaps it was an old farmer's tale, or maybe there's a bit of truth to it. :;):

bjreroberts · Post by **bjreroberts** » Mon Aug 13, 2007 10:08 am

Thank you all for the advice.

Helps put my mind at rest, one of the neighbours also had an ex-farmer call by and he had a look and said she was fine.

Inger · Post by **Inger** » Thu Aug 16, 2007 11:54 pm

That's good to know. Its really hard when you're starting out, to work out what is likely to be a problem and what isn't. Thankfully, there are always others, more experienced to ask.

We had the vet out to our place so often in the first 2 years. Nowadays, they only come for pregnacy testing and de-horning, which is done on the same day. I still phone them up if I have a query, but things are getting easier as I accumulate more knowledge. There are still plenty of older farmers around to help with advice. :D