What do you do if a calf dies inside a cow?

Answer 1

This depends on how long the calf has been dead for. If it's only been for one or two days, the calf should be pulled out. However this can be a very gruesome task, and is definitely not for those that are faint-hearted nor those who have weak stomachs. The reason I say this is because often the calf that is inside the cow has already undergone rigour mortis (or the energy in the calf's muscles are used up to the point where it is very stiff), making the calf far less flexible than it would be if it where alive or died just minutes or a couple hours ago. When rigour mortis sets in (which often takes around 4 or 5 hours after death, depending on the size of the animal), it makes it extremely hard to pull the calf out because its ligaments are so stiff. To make matters worse, the amniotic fluids that would otherwise make the uterine and vaginal tracts lubricated, have been excreted, making the uterus quite dry, not to mention pose a LOT of pain for the cow when she tries to push the calf out. But the sooner you get the calf out, the better.

So, here's the gruesome part (for those of you who get offended easily, STOP READING NOW). A saw has to be applied to the calf to cut off it's head, and even possibly its legs, to make it easier for the dead calf to exit the uterine tract. The calf is already dead, so it won't feel anything as the vet or you saw the head off, plus the blood from the calf makes the uterus a little more lubricated and a little easier to pull out. Often the head has to be taken off because it just will probably be too swollen to fit through the birth canal, and the front feet should be left intact to allow the calving chains to be applied and to help pull the calf out. Of course the cow will be in a lot of pain as she tries to help push it out.

A C-section could be extremely dangerous to the cow because it could invite infection to the cow, especially if the calf has started to rot or decompose in the cow. Toxins will more than likely get into the rest of the cow's system and kill her. For cows that have had a dead calf in them for the last 3 or 4 days, it is best to put her down. If the calf is removed from her, she will undergo so much shock and so much toxins that were being held in her uterine tract will be let loose that she will die within 5 to 20 minutes after the dead calf is removed.

That's why it is IMPERATIVE and CRUCIAL that you ALWAYS keep an eye on ANY calving cows. Don't leave a cow for a day or two if you've seen her trying to push but has had no success. Check on her in an hour or two to see how she's progressed, NOT after a few days!!! If you suspect a cow hasn't calved after a certain period of time, get the vet out IMMEDIATELY. If you can't get the vet out right away, get her in the headcatch and reach inside to see why the calf isn't coming through, and try to correct the problem yourself. Get the calving chains on the calf once you've positioned it correctly and start pulling. Do not wait for a day or two to see how she's progressed: often by the time you eventually decide to get the calf out (a day or two later), you will have already lost the calf.

Answer 2

It depends on how long the calf has been in the cow. If the calf has been in the cow for at least 72 hours (3 to 4 days), then it's best to slaughter the cow because taking the calf out will put the cow through such shock that she will die, due to a sudden exposure of toxins that will be released into the cow's system when the calf is removed.

If the calf has been in the cow for around 24 hours, then the vet will have to dismember the calf (cutting off the head, and possibly the feet or legs, depending on how the calf is positioned in the womb.

See the related question below for more information.

Answer 3

There are only two options, and both are with respect with time: If the calf has just died within a matter of hours, and it's small enough to go through the pelvic opening, it can be pulled out piece by piece thus saving the cow. If the calf is too large, it will have to be removed via C-section.

But, if the dead calf was found so several days after a cow was supposed to have given birth, there is a greater chance of losing the cow also when toxins contained in the uterus are released into the cow's system, killing the cow. The best option is euthanasia of the cow, either via on-farm euthanasia, or sending her to slaughter.

Ideally, if the calf dies inside the cow before birth, this calf must be pulled out as soon as possible, and not left inside the cow for several days. This way you save the cow and guarantee her another chance to bear another calf, this time (hopefully) a live one.

Answer 4

It must be removed some way or it will become toxic and kill the cow.

Answer 5

Pull it out n eat it