Cesarean Section (GRAPHIC pics)

[randiliana]

Just thought some of you might be interested in the process, our first C-section in over 5 years. At least it was in the middle of the afternoon yesterday, rather than at 3 am.

A combo of a pretty big calf and a small heifer sometimes = a C-section. Sometimes the genetics just don't work, other than this calf our biggest out of the heifer bull has been 76 lbs. This one weighed 99 lbs, shouldn't have needed a C-section for this calf, even as heavy as it was. Mama has a one way ticket to the sale barn once she heals up. We'll either adopt the baby onto another cow or sell it to someone that needs the same thing.

First step, all shaved


Now, wash time


The needle that is used to freeze her....


The incision


Making sure ONLY the right layers get cut


Is that a foot


It IS


Out she comes...


The left overs. They will get stuffed back in and she can deliver them the natural way


Successful operation, live mama, live baby.


Now to put her back together


Just a few more stitches and she'll be done


And that's it....

[Silver]

Thanks for sharing. The c-section is a dang inconvenience but does crop up from time to time. Seems like it never happens during the day either
Fortunately when the need does arise around here we look after it ourselves and avoid the long trip to town and the big bills. Someone told me that a c-section now costs somewhere around $400 around here.

[randiliana]

For us it's only a 15 min drive. Cost was $330. We don't have the knowledge to do them ourselves, and when you only deal with one every 5 years or so I think I'd forget how to do it.....

[Aaron]

[OldDog/NewTricks]

And PETA and/or the SPCA are no anywhere in sight...
Why??
Because when it comes down to it ??
Who Really Cares???
Not just Now n Then But 24/7
People like US DO

[gcreekrch]

Good job.
We can both do C-Sections if the need arises. The rule here is if we need a head snare to pull the head through the pelvis, the calf comes out the side door. A lot more live calves with this protocol and most of the mothers have bred back. I've never needed to put a second zipper in the few we have kept.

[Soapweed]

One of our local vets did a C-section at a lady rancher's place quite a few years ago. He had the calf delivered and was sewing up the opening, with the lady studying the procedure intensely. He thought if the slit was cut a bit deeper it would drain better. The lady was baffled and asked why he made a longer cut after the calf was already out. Doc had his teeth clenched on his ever-present cigar, and replied, "I had cut too much thread and didn't want to waste any." It got the ol' gal's goat.

[flyingS]

[Soapweed]