Why calf had to do the twist

MY deep sleep was rudely interrupted by my pager’s beeping.

I screwed my eyes to read the message: “Cow struggling to give birth. Farmer thinks it might need a caesarean.”

When I got to the farm, on the edge of the North York Moors, it was cold and dark. Very dark.

With the heifer fastened so she couldn’t move too much, I felt inside with my lubricated arm and found a tail.

The back end was trying to come out first and the poor animal couldn’t give birth by herself.

Splat

It took an epidural and lots of straining before I could manoeuvre the back feet into position. When the legs are lined up the job is nearly done.

I then needed to attach ropes to the back feet and pull.

The slippery calf plopped out with a satisfying “splat” as she landed on the straw bed by her mum. It was a job well done and very rewarding.

Watching the little calf struggle to take its first steps made my sleep-deprived night all worth it.

Julian’s latest book A Yorkshire Vet Through the Seasons, published by Michael O’Mara, is available at bookshops for £14.99.