Help or Information

[TLC Farms]

Hi, if anyone can provide some information it would be greatly appreciated. Here's the problem:

We have a cow who is heavy with calf, should be less than 1 or 2 weeks from calving. Apparently she has broken the knee on the back leg. Everyone that I have talked with has basically stated that you might as well give up on her and the calf both.
After talking with a vet on the phone we have attempted to induce labor on her by giving her 6cc of Ludalice(not sure correct spelling) 12cc of Dexamethazone(excuse the spelling). She has been getting Twin Penn for infection and Banamine for pain.
She is still eating good and drinking plenty of water. She will get up and move around some but spends most of the time laying down. We have moved her to a hold pen with plenty of shade and cover.
The leg has swelled considerably and I have questioned whether we should try to wrap it to try and reduce the swelling or even try to put ice on it. The ice would probably help if she would be still but she turns alot even without getting up.
We have kept her watered down to keep her from getting over hot.
We started all of this monday afternoon when she went down, but she still has not started to show signs of labor, nor has she shwon signs of giving up. She is still quite spirited but will let either myself or my husband come up to her and give her water or food.
From what I understand a cast would not hold on the back leg.
I hate to lose both her and the calf and would like to try to save either one or the other so if anyone has any suggestions................

[sw]

Sorry to hear of your dilema. First off, Lutalyse will not induce labor, at this point in time the calf is producing the progesterone that is maintaining the pregnancy. Talk to a different vet if possible, I think you need a shot of oxytocin and estrogen to induce labor. My idea would be to leave her alone and keep feeding and watering her and try to make her comfortable. I have seen cows make some incredible recoveries from broken legs, especially young ones or calves. As a last resort, take the calf by c-section and save it, that will also reduce the stress on the cow and reduce the amount of weight on the bad leg. Good luck

[katrina]

I would do the same as SW... That is good advice....

[alabama]

Try to have the calf naturley if you can and get that first milk in the calf. if momma can't raise it then she goes to the kill plant and the calf gets the bottle.
Sorry and I know this is hard but good luck and please let us know how it goes and what you do. Thanks.

[the_jersey_lilly_2000]

I Have a Brangus Bull, he's 5 years old now, a couple years ago neighbor bull got in our pasture and they were fightin (as bulls will do) When I found him he was down and I made him git up. front left leg was broke. This is a bull I raised from 2 month old calf. I was heartbroke..he's a big ole sweet baby. I started calling vets. (mine was on vacation of course) and I couldn't get any of them to even come out and look at him. They all wanted me to bring him in to them which I couldnt do because it was a front leg....he barely could walk any at all. After cryin n stewin over night about it..I finally told my husband..I'm not givin up on him..got too much work invested in makin him a big ole baby. I could walk up to him in the pasture and pick up his foot (like you would a horse) on the broke leg n he just stood there. So after 3 hours of slowly makin him hobble to the corrals, I started him on 2 bolis asprins crushed up in his feed morning and night. helps with the pain and helped reduce the swelling some. After 3 weeks of this I went out one evening to give him his asprin.....he's pushed the gate over n was gone. So I figured ....ok..he's well enuff to do that he can stay out.

Note how he's holdin his leg at rest. It took him about 3 months or so to finally quit limping. But I"m still using him today. this pic was taken right after he rejoined the herd.

[alabama]

Nice looking bull. I am glad he is dooing fine and breding cows. How do his calves look?

[alabama]

TLC Farms: welcome to the ranchers net. I see you are from alabama. What part of our grate state is your farm.
another poster "Mike" is also from Aabama.

[TLC Farms]

We are located in Dallas County......Orrville, Al.
Thanks for all the info......
I am hoping something good will come out of the situation. Unfortuantly she is my favorite and I really don't want to put her down.
Checked her little while ago....no change.....still doesn't seem to be ready to calf yet.
Question now is, with all the fluid she has on her and with her laying down so much what is it going to do to the calf. Someone told me that we needed to get the calf out before he drowns, but if we do c-section won't it kill the cow?
I have talked with several other farmers in this area and have two that have had cows to break a leg and are fine today, but neither of them had the break right at the knee. The way her leg is when she does get up she pushes up with her knee and the bottom part of her leg just kinda dangles there. It appears to be the joint that is affected. Would taping or wrapping the knee help her any?

[the_jersey_lilly_2000]

These is a few of his babies

[alabama]

[TLC Farms]

will call him right now....thanks.

[alabama]

Please let us know how it turns out. We could all stand to learn somthing from this.