Cattle Emergency: When to Call the Vet Immediately
By FarmVet Guide Editorial · Published January 2026 · Based on verified data from our directory of 9,500+ practices
Knowing when a cattle emergency requires immediate veterinary attention can mean the difference between life and death. Here are the situations where you should call your large animal vet right away.
Always Call Immediately
- Bloat — Distended left flank, labored breathing, reluctance to move. Can be fatal within hours.
- Dystocia (calving difficulty) — If no progress after 30 minutes of active labor, or if the calf is malpresented.
- Prolapsed uterus — Requires immediate veterinary intervention.
- Broken bones — Especially leg fractures. Keep the animal still until the vet arrives.
- Severe bleeding — Apply pressure if possible and call immediately.
- Hardware disease — Sudden drop in milk production, grunting, arched back, reluctance to move.
What to Do While Waiting
Keep the animal calm and contained. Do not attempt to treat the condition yourself unless your vet gives phone instructions. Have the animal's history ready including vaccination records, recent treatments, and feed changes.