bulldog calf

pudser · Post by **pudser** » Sun Feb 28, 2010 11:33 am

Hi

We bought 9 cows in January all in calf except for 2. however 2 of them lost their calves on the same day .we were unable to find any signs in the field and the usual batch of tests came up negative.Yesterday another cow started to calve and produced a bulldog -sad sight indeed.

I am assuming that the previous 2 also had bulldog calves but that the fox or grey crows must have scavenged the remains.

I informed the vendor but she was nonplussed.It just seems a bit casual with all the DNA testing we have available to us that this should be allowed to happen.

Pudser

Saffy · Post by **Saffy** » Sun Feb 28, 2010 12:00 pm

Hello Pudser,

You don't say if you have had any live calves as yet - even if you have this sounds rather dreadful odds.

How soon after purchase did the first two abort - could it have been the stress of the move?

Stephanie

domsmith · Post by **domsmith** » Sun Feb 28, 2010 12:33 pm

terrible thing to happen. i cant imagine anyone wanting to breed with even the slightest chance of a bulldog calf.
I think i would be naming and shaming the breeder.

and looking at other action about the sale of incalf cows that to all intents and purposes arent in calf. i should think you would have some come back, i think you would be if you bought them through a market.

very sad

dom

Broomcroft · Post by **Broomcroft** » Sun Feb 28, 2010 1:36 pm

Bad luck pudser, bulldogs should be one in four with short to short matings, but in reality you can have a run of them, or none. A throw of the dice every time.

Did the previous owner put short to short or can't you tell? Or could it be PHA which can look similar I have heard?

Edited By Broomcroft on 1267360592

Duncan MacIntyre · Post by **Duncan MacIntyre** » Sun Feb 28, 2010 9:55 pm

Rotten time whether due to bulldogs or not. Before my herd became totally non carriers I managed to have 4 bulldogs from 3 females in less than a year, so I have been there.

The first two of course may not have been bulldogs, in UK we have to report any abortion and in beef herds DEFRA pay for an investigation in case of brucellosis. Samples can be taken at that time for additional tests and this might be wise.

I presume all the dams are short legged, ie bulldog carriers? I am particularly interested in any other abnormalities in the breed at the moment, especially anything which might be PHA. Short legged cows could carry both chondrodysplasia and PHA. If you have any doubts please email me off board. If you have a list of field advisors for DCS you will find me there, or put a private message via this site.

Duncan

Saffy · Post by **Saffy** » Mon Mar 01, 2010 11:21 am

Looking through the wanted section I notice that someone appears to be requesting short cows and a short bull - hopefully the gentleman will read this thread before he buys and will have a chance to re think and maybe buy a long leg bull!

Stephanie

Edited By Saffy on 1267438974

pudser · Post by **pudser** » Mon Mar 01, 2010 12:19 pm

Hi,

Just to clarify I knew that the first two cows were empty. The abortions were not as a result of stress as it was 6 weeks post travel and they were very settled.I have done the normal battery of tests except for PHA which I had better organise today.

I am not interested in naming and shaming as the herd has now dispersed and I think it was just through pure ignorance and lack of attention to detail.
We have had no live calves yet. Do bulldogs generally go to term?

Thanks for the helpful advice,

P

Broomcroft · Post by **Broomcroft** » Mon Mar 01, 2010 5:38 pm

I think bulldogs normally abort at 5-7 months, dead although someone once said they can be born alive but die quickly afterwards. We've had one, looked like a little pig come football. Mom just ignored it and carried on eating.

pudser · Post by **pudser** » Mon Mar 01, 2010 11:16 pm

Who tests for PHA?

Is it the same company who do all our DNA testing?

Duncan MacIntyre · Post by **Duncan MacIntyre** » Mon Mar 01, 2010 11:22 pm

There is currently no PHA testing set up in UK. Andrew Sheppy, Carole Neilson and myself are looking at the situation on behalf of DCS, but do not have much to report yet. You may have seen a recent article in the DCS Bulletin. If not, if you email me or use the private message bit of this site to send me your email, I can send you some pictures and more info.

Duncan