hi Is it normal for her to go this long. we have no feet or nose she just pushes and pushes for about 10 min then nothing happens for a hour or so. Does this mean she isn't even close? Like people or is this the norm. thanks to every one Vickie in S IN.

-- vickie (vduffys@cs.com), February 24, 2002

Answers

No, it is not normal for a cow to push for 10 min, then nothing happen for an hour. You need to call a vet or someone who knows alot about cows. You can lubricate your arm and hand with liquid soap and feel inside her to try and determine what's going on, but with no experience you may not be able to determine what you are feeling, much less straighten things out if need be. Call someone so you don't lose mom and calf.

-- Paula (Chipp89@bellsouth.net), February 24, 2002.

How long has this been going on???

-- Rose (open_rose@hotmail.com), February 24, 2002.

My husband who is a dairyfarmer says the cow is in trouble and a vet should be called. He said thatthe calfs head could be bent back, twins or a dead calf inside her. No more mucking around though. We milk 300 cows here in NZ all on grass with supplementary winter feed all outside so he does know what he's talking about. If it happens here he feels around inside the cow with lubricated clean hands to see if he can do anything like turn it but if not able will call the vet. I would suggest that only experienced people could do that. Also I am a midwife and if my woman was doing this I would call for the obstetrician.

All the best and please lets know what happens. Is your cow due?

-- kiwikaren (fp116@ihug.co.nz), February 24, 2002.

Vickie I believe we mentioned that if nothing is going on as far as a delivered calf you do need call the Vet. Some of us know our cows, and I know this is new to you so it will take awhile, but you can put your arm up there and tell what position the calf is in. Can you feel two feet?, can you feel a nose? Can you feel a tail(uh oh!) etc. We have had to pull calves not only backwards but upside down and backwrds too! Call your Vet and take it from there. Good luck, I know this is scary and new but you will soon be an expert. LQ

-- Little Quacker (carouselxing@juno.com), February 24, 2002.

Call the vet ASAP. Could be a full breech or a twisted uterus if you are not seeing anything appearing at the back end.

-- Cowvet (cowvet_nz@hotmail.com), February 25, 2002.