abortion rate

[mn]

He had a bred heifer abort about 2 weeks ago. Then while doing chores this morning we found another calf laying there, this was out of a 4 year old cow. We have 160 cows in the herd. We are just curious as to what the average abortion rate should be. Talked to the vet after the first one aborted he said not to worry, if you have 2 the same thing, anything after 3 we should get the calves tested.

 

[roger dodger]

Could be anything from Bangs, to BVD, to Lepto. But with one or two out of 160 I would bet it is just stress from the cold or they slipped on the ice.This has not been an easy winter. One other thought, check you hay for mold, also your silage. Not much help I know, but that is useually the case.rd Hope you don't lose any more.

 

[Richard Doolittle]

Also, if you are feeding any kind of grain or grain hay there can be toxic molds on the kernals that aren't real evident, but can cause abortions.

 

[BlackCattleRancher]

If you got coyotes or wild dogs, Neospora can be a major problem that steals a little at a time, us and neighbors have been vaccinating at preg check for it now with good results.

 

[Anonymous]

Could be anything from Bangs, to BVD, to Lepto. But with one or two out of 160 I would bet it is just stress from the cold or they slipped on the ice.This has not been an easy winter. One other thought, check you hay for mold, also your silage. Not much help I know, but that is useually the case.rd Hope you don't lose any more.

Yep- I haven't had any I know of- but in talking to neighbors and ranchers around here they are having more this winter- which they're attributing to the tough winter and all the ice...

 

[Faster horses]

Folks blame ice, but really, I have NEVER seen a abortion that we blamed on ice. Mr. FH saw a heifer once fall flat on her belly with legs outspread.
That's about as bad a fall as you get and she didn't abort.

Good luck!! Our vet would tell you the same thing as your vet. If you
get one more, send it in and find out what the deal is.