This afternoon, my son noticed mucus on his heifer. She is due to calf mid August so this is way too early. Can anyone give me any advice as to what is normal or not? We went back out tonight, and there is slightly more. This is his first heifer...
Vulva mucus coming too early
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WildRoseBeef
Range nerd & bovine enthusiast
Is it sticky?
Hopefully she's not going to abort her calf soon.
Hopefully she's not going to abort her calf soon.
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Appears to be. This afternoon it was a small amount hanging off her vulva, maybe 2 inches long, and very little dried on her rump. This evening it is about 6-8 inches and clear/white? I'm wondering if she is stressed from moving her from the dairy (3 days ago) to our family's place. He isn't having a great experience with his FFA adviser so he'd rather not call her.
WildRoseBeef
Range nerd & bovine enthusiast
I sure hope it's just stress and not something else. Usually sticky mucus secretion means the mucus plug's gone out, but hopefully it's not and the heifer pulls through to full-term.
Please keep us updated on her progress...
Please keep us updated on her progress...
Cricket
Ridin' The Range
We had a cow where I work do that this winter while she was dried off. It actually got to the point where it was a little on the old-bloody looking side and it looked like she would abort, but she ended up calving fine. Think she was like a month out if I remember right. Good luck!
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We were gonna try not to call the Vet out... House calls aren't cheap around here plus it's a holiday weekend. Sure wish his teacher was more personable. This is his first 2 year project so all of this is new to us. Early this morning she was the same. Doesn't appear to be bloody, still clear with a bit of white, no diarrhea, mood is good and is eating & drinking fine. I appreciate any advice/ words of encouragement
redtailgal
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I wouldnt freak out yet............she may have a little bit of vaginitis going on. Esp if you've had a recent rain...........
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redtailgal
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I'll try to to be too gross and graphic here, lol.
When a cow (or any other mammal) is pregnant, the vaginal area changes, the PH becomes much more delicate and the skin is much more sensitive and easily irritated.
When she lays down a pice of grass, dirt etc, can get in the um, girl parts, and create a small irritation. Its much more common after a rain because everything is wet and sticky.
Now, when that piece of dirt or whatever, gets in there, even if it's only slightly in there, the body will recognize it and try to get it out, usually with a mucous-like secretion. You may or may not see the whatever it was that got the whole thing started, and she may "ooze" for a while.
It's usually not a big deal and nothing needs to be done about it.
We've got one old girl out here that keeps an "ooze" the whole time she is pregnant.......mostly because she prefers to lay in the mud.
If the discharge turns bloody, brown, green or smelly, I would be concerned, but just a clean white discharge......I dont give it a second thought.
When a cow (or any other mammal) is pregnant, the vaginal area changes, the PH becomes much more delicate and the skin is much more sensitive and easily irritated.
When she lays down a pice of grass, dirt etc, can get in the um, girl parts, and create a small irritation. Its much more common after a rain because everything is wet and sticky.
Now, when that piece of dirt or whatever, gets in there, even if it's only slightly in there, the body will recognize it and try to get it out, usually with a mucous-like secretion. You may or may not see the whatever it was that got the whole thing started, and she may "ooze" for a while.
It's usually not a big deal and nothing needs to be done about it.
We've got one old girl out here that keeps an "ooze" the whole time she is pregnant.......mostly because she prefers to lay in the mud.
If the discharge turns bloody, brown, green or smelly, I would be concerned, but just a clean white discharge......I dont give it a second thought.
My cow has some discharge off and on throughout her pregnancies. Unless it is opaque white and/or smelly, I don't think you have anything to worry about. It is probably just normal pregnancy mucus. Hormones have a lot to do with it, too, not necessarily a sign that something "got in there".
