Lungs that float Vs sink

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Show Heifer

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Jan 28, 2007
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Lets just say my year hasn't gone to well.... :'(
But, from what I remember, a lung that has never taken in oxygen (never breathed) will sink in water. And a lung that has oxygen in it (thus has taken a breath) will float.  So does this mean if a lung doesn't exactly sink, yet doesn't exactly float, took a few shallow short breaths then died???
Sick of the wind, sick of the rain and even sicker of the mud.
Dinah is so wrong sometimes DL!!!! I agree with you!
 

DL

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Jan 29, 2007
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OK - What you said is correct - float they breathed, don't float they didn't - but
did you float the whole lung or a piece?
were they pink?

sometimes a just born animal will take an agonal (dying) breath and they Will therefore float or sort of float
sometimes if you try cpr type stuff you will get enough air in the lungs that they sort of float
sometimes a gasp will give you enough air in the lungs so that they sort of float

Show Heifer - sorry you are having a bad time, agree Dinah is sometimes WRONG!

Did that answer your question?
DL
 

Show Heifer

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Jan 28, 2007
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Hey DL.
I took the whole right lung. Kinda pink, and it really didnt float, but didn't flatten against the bottem either.
Heres the scenario: Checked the cows at 8:30 am. NOTHING showed calfy. All cows eating, no discharge, etc.
I went back at 10:30 am, and had a dead calf laying on a big bale of flattened hay . Momma cow had already cleaned. She is a 5 year old. The calf had white cloudy eyes in the pupil area (maybe normal?) It wasn't real cold, but is muddy out, although this calf wasn't in the mud, but on hay. Other cows not around it.
And I guess I was just curious as to see if it was born dead, or born alive then died. Her due date was Sunday.

So, yes, thank you, you answered my question....its just not my year. :'(
 

DL

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Jan 29, 2007
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3,622
Show Heifer - both eyes cloudy - lungs didn't float - IMHO calf born dead - keep your chin up, remember what DInah says! :) :)  DL
 

red

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Jan 20, 2007
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Location
LaRue, Ohio
Show Heifer, this has been a rough one for you so far! I'm really sorry.
Get a step ladder, call a Red Angus breeder & cry on his shoulder.

Red
 
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