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O/T: Heifer down...

C

ChrisinMO

Member
Yesterday morning, I went out to check the cattle and a heifer had her rear hoof stuck in a round bale feeder. She was laid out on the ground, had really messed up a horn which was bleeding and had a small amount of blood in one nostril. I can't tell if she was bleeding from the nostril or what, but it was gone 15 minutes later. We got her cut out of the hay feeder and into a laying down position. I got behind her and tried to help her get up. She got up on her hind legs alright, but was wobbly on her front legs, so she laid back down. We bandaged the horn and it stopped bleeding. She laid there all day yesterday and is still there. Last night when I tried to help her get up again, she was not interested in doing so. I'm going to need to call the vet today, most likely, but since you all are very knowledgeable I thought I'd see if anyone had any useful suggestions. She is a very good heifer and I'd sure like to save her if possible.

Thanks for your help.

Christopher
 
not an expert at all but how long was she stuck?? Long enough for things to die off from lack of circulation resulting in blood poisoning when you got her loose and the blood flowing?? I hope not, but the longer she is down the less chance you've got I think. Can you get a tarp under her and lift her with a loader?

Good luck.
 
Bleeding from a horn or her nostril is really not a concern.It will stop.Dehorning cattle produces lots of blood but in short order the horn stops bleeding.
I would be more concerned about how she was caught in the feeder and whether she may have broken any bones in her legs.She may well have pulled muscles fighting to get out of the feeder and is just plain sore and in pain.Get her on top of lots of straw to keep her warm.Yes, if you want to keep her and she is a good heifer then a vet's opinion is likely to find a solution one way or another
You never know with cattle,while she was caught up another penmate could have run her to get her out of the way,she may have injured her back going down..I hope it works out for you and shes just sore and tuckered out from struggling.
 
Blood in her nostril is just from the horn injury leaking through the sinuses, no big deal. She most likely exhausted herself when her hoof was stuck, it is really best to keep them up after something like that and make sure they eat and give a shot of cortizone if you have it. She needs to get up, I would take her some feed and water where she is and let her be for 15 minutes or so and then get her up, it may sound cruel but this is when you need a hotshot, a cow is no different than you or me, she won't want to stand if it hurts or if she feels weak so you have to make her stand, she will never get well laying on the ground. If you can't make her get up on her own sling her up with a front end loader if you have one or a tractor boom pole, keep her up and gradually let her down and make her support more of her own weight. You have a good chance since it has only been one day and shes a heifer but you need to take action now.
 
I've seen it go both ways. Had a heifer that was injured calving one time,layed there with me carrying water and hay to her for 10 days. When she did get up,I had to grab her tail and steady her. That went on for several days. After she started getting up on her own,she walked on her ankles for a month.
On the other hand,I've seen them just loose the will to live after they've gone down and they just started rolling on their sides refusing to even try til they died.
You could get a sling under her and try holding her up with a loader,but it all depends on whether she's given up or not.
 
sounds to me like your doing right. Just a couple of things,make sure all four legs are under her,if ones cocked out to the front or side they all will have a hard time getting up if they even can. Probably just worn out like someone else said but if she has pulled a muscle or something the stupid things will often lay there and die. If she were mine i would gather me up a couple of strong hands,twist her tail till she tried to stand and then lift her. Dont let her lay down again if you do get her up just let her stand until she tries to move then make her walk a little. If she layed a day or two it will take her a while to get moving again. whatever happens the sooner you get her up the better.
 
All the recommendations the others have made are good. The use of the hot-shot is also a good one. It takes a "shock" sometimes to get them to respond. True story...one of my neighbors had a big old charolais cow one time that went down for some reason. They tried everything including hoisting her in a sling for several days. They carried hay and water to her for over 2 weeks. She would NOT stand up. Finally out of despair, the owner said to heck with it....went and got the 22 and shot her. THEN....she got up. True story.
 
Might want to add a good shot of Tylan 200 to that treatment- it's like an aspirin and may help ease any stiffness for a while. Hope she gets up soon, though, The longer she's down, the less chance she has to get up. Also, if you can get her under some shelter, and make sure she gets warm. But get her off her side amd let her rest. If she's down too long, pneumonoia may start to set in.
 
She might have been down all night (from about 11pm) or just for a little while in the morning. She is laying down as a cow should, with her legs tucked under her. We've been keeping an eye on her and she is still alert and attentive. Thank you all for your recommendations.

Christopher
 
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