Need help...problems with a cow

[OKshorthorn]

Hey guys, I was wondering if any of you have had this problem and what you have done about it.

Last week I noticed one of my cows out by herself so I went over to see if something was wrong. She was laying down and got up ok but had a little limp to her. I was walking her up to the corrals when I heard a pop, it sounded awful and like a bone broke in her hip (she is 9 years old and is 3 weeks from her due date.) She was real tender on her leg (right hind leg) but after a few moments walked fine with just a little limp. I got her up to the corral and wanted to pen her up and it popped again and she didn't put any weight at all on her leg, then after a minute seem to be fine.

I talked to the doc and he said that sometimes when an older cow is heavy bred like her the fetus will put pressure on her hip and cause it to pop. He said that there really isn't anything to do but after she calves she should be fine.

In the past couple days she has gotten worse and the popping happens a lot more frequently, maybe every other step. I am worried that she might not make it another 3 weeks. Any ideas?

 

[Bulldaddy]

That may be a stifle problem.  That is the same joint as the knee in humans and older cows seem to suffer from injury to it more than younger ones.  The problem will not heal but the cow should have and raise her calf just fine.

 

[LostFarmer]

If it is a stifle sometimes the joint will fuse and she will walk with a stiff leg.  I have one old cow that has had 3 calves since she went stiff legged.  I am careful that she is in good pasture and close to home but she has done fine.  She is raising cald 17 so it isn't like she owes me much.

 

[yuppiecowboy]

personally I would suggest ignoring her for 3 weeks. I bet you are more concerned than she is. Not a knock on you, I over manage constantly myself. Its real easy to live other peoples lives for them though. Let her be a cow and if she is 9, short of a PHA debacle or bred to full throttle she will handle this on her own just fine.

 

[OKshorthorn]

Thanks guys...I'm guessing you are probably right, i'll just let her be for a couple weeks. She is one of my better cows and i'm really excited about the mating this year. I can't wait to get some of those calves on the ground!