Cow still straining

Kathy Millar · Post by **Kathy Millar** » Tue May 10, 2005 5:15 pm

One of my cows calved on the 2nd and I noticed her straining occasionally afterwards for a couple of days. Didn't see the afterbirth but she was out on pasture. After a few days I didn't notice anything but then yesterday my husband reported her straining but just once. There is no bad smell from her backside, she is dunging (very loose with this lush grass) and eating and the calf is doing well (was born with its head turned back). In other words, everything normal, just this bit of straining. Should I be looking for other signs? I hate being so dumb about things.

Yesterday my other cow calved and the yearling steer in with her tried to mount the little thing and flattened her. Thank goodness nothing was broken. Also, the other cow started to clean off the new calf so I quickly got her out of that paddock. Then the new mom wouldn't settle down (and who could blame her with my husband and me running around trying to remove the other cattle) so I tied her up (she isn't halter broke) and the calf was able to feed. Good heavens, what a rodeo! But it was a learning experience :laugh:

Kathy

Jo Kemp · Post by **Jo Kemp** » Tue May 10, 2005 5:36 pm

Just a thought - did you have to assist the birth (probably) I wondered if she'd had an antibiotic injection - my assisted birth had one just in case of infection.

If she isn't straining much and doesn't have a mucky or smelly backend perhaps just keep an eye on her.....

Good luck, Jo

Jo Kemp · Post by **Jo Kemp** » Tue May 10, 2005 5:37 pm

Just a thought - did you have to assist the birth (probably) I wondered if she'd had an antibiotic injection - my assisted birth had one just in case of infection.

If she isn't straining much and doesn't have a mucky or smelly backend perhaps just keep an eye on her.....

Good luck, Jo

Kathy Millar · Post by **Kathy Millar** » Wed May 11, 2005 3:38 pm

No, I didn't assist the birth, but it was a difficult one for her as the calf had his head turned back. I was watching all the time (I time these things and then start to help after 30 minutes, only because that's what I do with sheep!). It took her about 15 minutes instead of her usual 2. The grass was long and when I saw two feet coming out I just assumed the head was properly positioned so didn't get in too close. The calf took days to get up and around and it probably should have been tubed right away but it did manage a few feedings so I let it alone. Otherwise cow and calf now appear normal. But what would cause her to strain like that?

Kathy

Saffy · Post by **Saffy** » Wed May 11, 2005 4:17 pm

Hi Kathy,

I would think it could be a small amount of retained after birth and /or an infection or perhaps due to the difficult delivery there could be swelling of the tissues making it feel to her as if something was still there.

I am sure Duncan will enlighten us soon.

Stephanie
:;):

Duncan MacIntyre · Post by **Duncan MacIntyre** » Wed May 11, 2005 5:27 pm

If a cow is straining she is almost certainly in discomfort if not actually in pain. Retained placenta by itself does not normally cause the sort of pain in the birth canal which would result in straining - there may wellbe a tear, even a small one, in the vagina or cervix. These may occur during a normal birth but it is interesting to hear today that the calf was born with its head back. This is most unusual for a calf and if the head is back assistance should be given by correcting the position of the head, normally a necessity with lambings as well. Anyone finding only two feet presented should immediately check if they are back or front feet and proceed accordingly. If you are not confident in these matters expert help should be sought, ideally a vet though a competent farmer or stockperson can be extremely useful as long as they know their limits. If this cow is still straining she should be examined by someone competent to see if there is damage done inside. It sounds very probable that antibiotic treatment is needed, but do not just do this blind.

It will be of interest to the horse owners amongst us to know that foals are the exception to being able to be delivered with the head back, as the neck is so long that the head fits in behind the ribcage and the foal is pushed out with the neck in a tight bend, head fitted in between the last rib and the hind leg.

But as a general rule both front feet and the head need to be presented in calves and lambs. If the head is back and the front legs are assumed to be hind legs and pulled, the head actually is forced further back making it much more difficult for the vet when he or she arrives. The key to whether it is a front leg or a back leg is the eay the first two joints bend - the same way for a front leg, opposite ways for a hind. Of course if there is a tail there it is likely to be hind legs.

Duncan

Kathy Millar · Post by **Kathy Millar** » Sat May 14, 2005 4:55 pm

Thank you , Duncan, for the advice. It was raining, the grass was tall and it took less than 15 minutes for the calf to arrive. I just assumed that she wouldn't be able to deliver if the head was back and when I next looked, the calf was lying on the ground with his head twisted right back along its body. I straightened it out and after that it took awhile before it would nurse or stand up for very long. So far the cow looks happy and is eating and nursing well. The calf is very lively and strong but what a contrast to the heifer that was born a week later. She was up and running by only a few hours! I just love calves like that.

Kathy