Instructions
Frequently check for signs that your cow is preparing to discharge her placenta. The inability to discharge the placenta or struggle to do so is a common effect that arises after a cow loses a calf.
Move your cow to a quiet place. Stay in the vicinity of the cow so you can remove the placenta and prevent the cow from eating it.
Check for any visible protrusions from her vagina, which might involve the part of the uterus or all of it. This symptom is associated with difficulty calving and is thus frequently seen in cows that have lost a calf. Call your veterinarian as soon as you see a protruding uterus. If not dealt with by a veterinarian, the uterine arteries could tear and the cow could bleed to death.
Milk your cow after the loss of her calf when she is healthy enough. She will need to be relieved of milk since her calf will not be nursing from it. Alternatively, ask your veterinarian for a drug that cause the milk to dry up.
Ask your veterinarian to examine your cow even if no visible complications have appeared. Your veterinarian will probably give your cow an antibiotic as a precaution.
How to Care for a Cow After the Loss of a Newborn
Cows that have recently lost a newborn calf require careful monitoring and in some cases intervention. According to David J. Patterson from the Department of Animal Sciences at the University of Missouri, most calf deaths occur about 24 hours after calving. A cow that has lost a calf should be separated from other animals and placed in a quiet area. The cow usually benefits from antibiotic treatment and an examination by a veterinarian.