My First Time as a Bovine OB

Reader Contribution by Sue Dick
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I’ve just sat down after the hottest shower I could stand, and I’m fatigued from my morning’s exertions and the letdown of a big dump of adrenalin.  I was covered from tips of fingers to almost the armpit (both arms) with birthing fluid/matter and I had lain in a fresh cow plop or two.  Why would someone do this, you ask?

 We run Irish Dexter cattle, well known for their easy calving and good mothering abilities (among other things) and in the three years we’ve had them I’ve never had to assist in a calving. Until this morning.

Ms. Purdy, a 6 year old cow, was long overdue to calve. As she walked ponderously with her enormous udder swinging, she looked every bit as uncomfortable as a woman overdue.  Every day for the last two weeks her udder grew and grew until it reached proportions hitherto unseen outside of a pure dairy breed, and every day I did my pasture walk expecting to find her with her new calf.

This morning the cows all came to water, and as I was doing chores nearby I came over to look. Ms. Purdy stayed away from the group and called constantly. Thinking she had deposited her calf in the grass somewhere and was loathe to leave him, I walked across the pasture to find her in the beginning stages of labor.  The rest of the herd followed me back and Finn, our bull, sniffed at his wife with great interest.  I watched carefully (escape plan firmly in mind should Finn decide today was the day he wanted to skewer me – he’s always been good, but never trust a bull) as she began to push.  After about 15 minutes all I could see from where I was standing was one little hoof. Not a good sign. Finn continued his inspection of her and I couldn’t get any closer. She strained and some small flap appeared (an ear?) beside the hoof. Definitely not good.  At this moment Finn sauntered off, my prayers answered, and I went forward to check Ms. Purdy. She’s my least tame cow with wicked horns spanning about 3 feet, but the poor girl was in no shape to protest.

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