Post by hoperefuge on Apr 9, 2013 14:01:29 GMT -5
Doin' the happy heifer dance!!
By the way things looked yesterday I was pretty sure we were within a day or two of calving. This morning after I was done milking BoPeep around 9:30 or so, Ebby was starting into early labor. She was doing fine...I just kept checking in on her while I was getting other chores done. Shortly after noon I was thinking I'd like to run to the potty & then get a quick bite to eat...when her water broke. Oh well. ;D
Now, I know heifers take longer than cows & I try not to fret too much, but the slow rate of her progression bothered me. Once I could get a hold of feet I started helping pull a bit. My first glimpse of the nose confused me...something didn't look right. When it came a little farther along, I realized it was sideways...so the side of baby's face was laying on top of the legs. I've never seen one present like that before, and didn't know if that would be causing us trouble (Anybody seen this or know??). I decided to just pull in earnest & hope I didn't tear up Ebbs. Calf came on out fine...hit the ground at 12:45. And, yes, it's a HEIFER! She's a strong, lively little thing & was up running & bouncing around within 40 minutes, and found the milk bar as soon as Ebby stood still for her.
My question is this. Ebby has some swelling inside, in the mucous membrane (It looks swollen on the outside, but I can really tell when I pull her "lips" apart a bit back there) I don't remember noticing this on others before. She had just a "normal" amount of blood at delivery & isn't continuing bleeding. Do I need to be worried that she tore? Or is the swelling just because we had a rough time & I maybe pulled a bit faster than her vulva was ready for? My gut says she's OK, but just wanted some input from those with more experience.
Thanks! Oh, and the camera battery is charging now...so you'll just have to wait for photos.
Kim
By the way things looked yesterday I was pretty sure we were within a day or two of calving. This morning after I was done milking BoPeep around 9:30 or so, Ebby was starting into early labor. She was doing fine...I just kept checking in on her while I was getting other chores done. Shortly after noon I was thinking I'd like to run to the potty & then get a quick bite to eat...when her water broke. Oh well. ;D
Now, I know heifers take longer than cows & I try not to fret too much, but the slow rate of her progression bothered me. Once I could get a hold of feet I started helping pull a bit. My first glimpse of the nose confused me...something didn't look right. When it came a little farther along, I realized it was sideways...so the side of baby's face was laying on top of the legs. I've never seen one present like that before, and didn't know if that would be causing us trouble (Anybody seen this or know??). I decided to just pull in earnest & hope I didn't tear up Ebbs. Calf came on out fine...hit the ground at 12:45. And, yes, it's a HEIFER! She's a strong, lively little thing & was up running & bouncing around within 40 minutes, and found the milk bar as soon as Ebby stood still for her.
My question is this. Ebby has some swelling inside, in the mucous membrane (It looks swollen on the outside, but I can really tell when I pull her "lips" apart a bit back there) I don't remember noticing this on others before. She had just a "normal" amount of blood at delivery & isn't continuing bleeding. Do I need to be worried that she tore? Or is the swelling just because we had a rough time & I maybe pulled a bit faster than her vulva was ready for? My gut says she's OK, but just wanted some input from those with more experience.
Thanks! Oh, and the camera battery is charging now...so you'll just have to wait for photos.
Kim