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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.
What else can I help you with?
What is a female whale and her calf called?
Female whales are called cows. The calf is a calf.
How do you spell a cows baby?
A cow's baby is called a calf.
What do you call the offspring of cows?
calf
What are the life stages of a cow?
The "life stages" are heifer calf, then heifer, then cow. Cows become cows when they give birth to a calf at around two years of age, however most producers simply like to call those females first-calf heifers or first-calvers rather than cows. Some won't call cows cows until they've had their second calf.
How did the cows get to calf pasture?
They gave birth to a calf and the farmer let them and their calves into the so-called calf pasture.
What does calf rearing mean?
The Raising of cows
How long is a calf in a giraffes uterus for?
20 years
What is the vulva on a cow?
A cow's vulva is synonymous to a woman's "vagina" or vulva, and is the entry point from the outside where cows conceive to produce offspring, give birth to a calf, and also urinate from. The vulva of a cow is the entry-way to the vagina and the uterus, and is a part of the cows' reproductive system.
When do cows start milking?
After having their first calf.
What is a little cow called?
A calf. Small cows can also be called just small cows, particularly if they are a miniature breed.
Where is a calf inside its mother before it is born?
In the uterus, or womb.
Why doesn't a mother cow give milk when there is a calf in her stomach?
A calf doesn't grow in a mother cow's stomach. It grows in her womb or uterus. And cows are fully capable of being able to lactate (give milk) while a fetus is growing in her womb, and it's always to feed the last calf she gave birth to. A cow, however, will eventually stop milk production when her calf is weaned from her several months before she gives birth to her next calf.
