1st calf heifer not cleaning

[justme]

I've had 2 heifers not clean after calving so far out of 3. We've sat down and think we've pinpointed the problem.  We need to boost our mineral program and have begun to fix that.
Had the vet out and he said the new research says not to help a heifer clean.  Its been 3 going on 4 days and its NASTY STINKY (the words of my 7 year old boy even though he thought it would be cool to take some in a zip lock bag to show and tell).  I'm concerned but trust my vet.

Any suggestions, or advice.  The heifer I'm speaking of is in my avatar and to us is VERY valuable.  We are just kinda shell shocked, but were "getting old" lol and maybe out of the loop.

HELP!!!! please...

 

[OH Breeder]

My vet didn't like to clean one manually but also didn't want to risk infection. He gloved up and removed most of it. Then had us infuse betadine into the uterus. He also gave oxytocin.

 

[Jill]

You care correct, that is a mineral issue.  Our vet has always cleaned, I can't imagine letting it sit in there and rot would be a good thing??  That stuff is incredible stinky!

 

[mooch]

Old farmers when I was a kid used to to say to tie a brick to it to speed up the process

 

[Hollywood27]

10 cc oxytocin and 60 cc penicillin.  If she doesn't clean in a day another 10 cc of oxytocin.

 

[DTW]

In the past i would get some boluses from the vets also and put them inside the uterus to help from infections.  My vet says to use lutylase also to help the uterine contract.

 

[worthabit]

Our vets have been telling us for quite  a few years now to just leave it. I know it stinks but after a week it will be gone. I agree it is a mineral problem. I would also agree with the penicillin dosage.

 

[drl]

Ditto on the leaving it alone. I hear Draxxin has worked good for helping with infections with it even though it is not labeled for it. I suppose any antibiotic would help. If they remove it manually you risk damaging the uterus. I would make sure your cows are getting enough selenium. Low selenium can cause problems with not cleaning.

 

[kanshow]

Our vet has said to let it alone for a longer period than we are used to.  However, our vet will still come out to clean when they get pretty raunchy like that.      We had one cleaned earlier this year - she got uterine boluses, a heavy load of LA200, and lutalyse.    I can't remember why they said Lute is better than oxytocin but seems that is the preferred one these days. 

 

[forbes family farms]

is it possible to have a cow cleaned (after birth) and not have her breed back? Just curious

 

[DFSC]

This may sound kinda weird, but in the past we have used mistletoe leaves. Use just leaves as the berries are poisonous. Feed them a handful and they should clean out in about 2 hours. Good luck!

Jordan

 

[DL]

Agree with your vet - always hard not to do something but ff the heifer is not sick leave it alone - no drugs, no boluses, no penicillin, nada zero zip

Fix the mineral issue and next year hopefully you won't have to deal with the stink...manual cleaning may actually damage the uterus as you are removing placentomes that aren't yet detached - the process of detaching involves them more or less decaying

 

[T-bob]

give her some oxytosin , and instead  of tying that brick to it, just apply pressure on it. not alot of pressure but some and in 20 min it will come right out, we have one cow that never cleans herself, and she has all the minerals she wants.  One of our best cows, she breeds right back and her heifers don't have the same problem she has.  Don't know why she can't just clean herself.

 

[cowman 52]

used this for years-- 20-30 cc hydrogen peroxide and equal amt penicillin-  infuse same as a i use the straw gun with sheath and after passing through cervix remove gun and 60 cc syringe will fit just right on sheath-  wedo it for everything we induce labor on-- we calve a lot of heifers for clients-  they seem to clean up faster and breed back quicker-- some say the multi- min is snake oil but adose a month before calving seems not to hurt <beer>

 

[DFSC]

Did you have any luck with the heifer?

 

[justintime]

I had a discussion with a leading researcher at the vet college a few years ago, who had done a study on cleaning a cow or heifer or just leave them . He said that in his study ( over a 3 year period) they had better success with the ones that were not cleaned in rebreeding than the ones that were cleaned. Since then I only give a shot of LA 200 and let them out. I have not seen any problems. This vet also said that it is fairly normal to have an occasional cow or heifer not clean properly after calving, and that this may not be a result of a mineral or nutritional problem. So far this spring I have had 58 calves, have assisted one cow that had a dead calf. I have not had any that did not clean ... yet. After saying that, I have probably jinxed myself but proper!

 

[kanshow]

Did she clean?   

 

[SEA]

Many "Old Wives's Tales", listed above in previous posts".  Not that there is anything wrong with "Old Wives Tales", or "New Wives Tales" for that matter.  HA!!  HA!!  Just not always medically sound advice.

But seriously.  We have tried them all.  Had Vets out.  Had discussions with vets.  Cleaned cows manually.  Not cleaned cows manually.  Infused cows with boluses.  Infused cows with various concoctions.  Injected cows.

It is a given in all animal husbandry, breeding, settling, pregnancy, birth and breed back.  You must first have a good feed and mineral proram, or "the animals general physical state of good health".

However, as in life, livestock and humans...SHIT HAPPENS!!  You need to step in, and help out.  or  Step-a-side and let whatever happens, happens.  We step-in.

Listed below is our simple protocol for both cow and heifers.  Veterinary recommended.


Watch cows/heifers for 2-3 days post calving.  If they have not cleaned on their own.

1.) Inject 5cc Litalyse per head.  This will make cow/heifer "spit out" after birth normally, in 2-3 days.  No rotting/stinking, ripping or infecting.

2.) Inject 4.5cc per 100# body weight with LA-200.  This broad spectrum, three day antibiotic, will stave off infections , which can impede quick "breed-back.

It has worked great for us, for several years.
 

 

[CAB]

bump for HSV.

 

[HSV]

I missed this topic when I posted my question this morning....lots of good info here. Thanks