Abortion?

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ShowmanQ

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Apr 19, 2007
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Well on top of the cold weather, it is not shaping up to be a good month for us.
Went to check cows yesterday, and dad found a 35lb aborted heifer calf laying on the ground. The cow is a first calf heifer. She was bull bred for an end of March beg. of April calf. She was vaccinated for 5 strains of Lepto. Any ideas? Having the vet come pull some blood on the cow this week. Would have taken the calf for a neocropsy, but the area of the farm was under a level 1 snow emergency :'(
 

muleman

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I had the same thing happen 4 times. I vaccinated for leptospria Hardjo, it is another type of lepto not found in the 5way. Knock on wood no more abortions.Steve
 

Nasc

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Q- Look into the Hardjo"sp?" strain. Especially if you showed her.
 

Cattledog

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Our show heifer this year aborted right after our state fair.  The vet couldn't find anything wrong with her and basically said what I thought he would.  He just said this can happen with show heifers.  It could be stress, hauling, and what everyone worries about...disease.  It sure is a let down when it happens! :mad:
 

olsun

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Had this happen many years ago. At that time the vet called it BVD. Bovine Virus Diareah. Heifers, and sometimes even cows would seem fine and healthy, and then when stressed, usually by mud or other weather related conditions, would abort. At that time I vaccinated for it. Not sure what is done now.
 

dori36

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Central Lower Michigan
olsun said:
Had this happen many years ago. At that time the vet called it BVD. Bovine Virus Diareah. Heifers, and sometimes even cows would seem fine and healthy, and then when stressed, usually by mud or other weather related conditions, would abort. At that time I vaccinated for it. Not sure what is done now.

So sorry, Quint.  Do you calfhood vaccinate for BVD?  I'd definitely ask your Vet to collect and submit for testing an ear notch.  BVD can be devastating for your herd so you need to find out if you have it.  Lots of ramifications too long to discuss here.  Best to you!
 

shorthorngirl2010

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how interesting.  just last wednesday before i left for denver we had a 1st calf heifer abort a 4-5 month old fetus, not a clue why; vet said she may have gotten kicked or something.  5 days later, had ANOTHER first calf heifer have a premi bull calf weighing only 45-50 lbs, calf lived first couple days, got separated from mom for a few hours, got back together and over-indulged, bloated and died.. so far with first calf heifers we are 0-2 :(.. on cows though were at 100%.. wonderful way to start calving season  :mad: :'(
 

cowman 52

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Would nearly bet IBR,  worked a ranch in Ks for 4 calving seasons,  blood test drawn within 30 min of ab would show positive,  Dose of micotil x2 would help there,  watch for snotty nose,  watery eyes, don't delay at all.  Worked for me there.
 

ShowmanQ

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Thanks to everyone for all of the ideas. I am currently taking a Disease Prevention class in college, so my prof. and I are doing some research on the symptoms, being he lost 2 the same way. Having a vet out to take blood this weekend.
 

CAB

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  I'm not saying to ignore it, but sometimes it just happens and you just have to kinda let it go. The cow can get bumped, navel cord gets torn, cotyledons detach, etc. Watch the rest of the herd for any abnormal symptoms. Sorry for your loss, but I would say, try not to over react. Good Luck. Brent
 

blackwellfarms

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Venus
There is also a cyst that the mother carries and it passes to the calf in the womb.  It is called canines (dog) spon... (ok I cannot spell).  It usually happens to 1st time heifers and then the 2nd one is ok.  They are still carriers.  Most of the time it comes form dogs or coyotes urine.  Do a search on coyotes and abortions in cattle and should get it.  Cause a lot of abortions in diary cattle in CA.
 

ShowmanQ

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CAB said:
  I'm not saying to ignore it, but sometimes it just happens and you just have to kinda let it go. The cow can get bumped, navel cord gets torn, cotyledons detach, etc. Watch the rest of the herd for any abnormal symptoms. Sorry for your loss, but I would say, try not to over react. Good Luck. Brent

Brent,
The rest of the herd appears normal. I thought of the idea of her being bumped around. I am still going to have her blood drawn for safety sake. I realize I may be overreacting, but when you lose one and you only have 10 cows calving that year, the loss becomes pretty costly( 10% of my calf crop to be exact). Just covering all my bases.
 

Cowboy

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McCook Ne.
Blackwell - that litle bug youdiscribe is deadly -- for certain.

We had it real bad one year over in NE Missouri -- out of one lot of 200 1st and 2nd calvers, they lost 96 head to the 3-5 month abortions.

In doing very extensive testing -- they came up with what you discribe.

Called -- "Neosporosis E-Caninus"

That is a BAD DUDE. Any time you have concentrated feed bunk type setups -- those dang Coyotes would come along picking up corn and what not -- all the while MARKING thier terrotory -- the urine concentrates in the laft over feed -- and bang -- there goes baby!

Take care and good luck -- good call!

Terry
 
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