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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Calves delivered after mother’s death

Veterinary students Adria Yeager and Isaac Bott are pictured here with twin calves they helped deliver after the cow carrying them was euthanized.   (Henry Moore / Washington State University)
The Spokesman-Review
An injured dairy cow at Washington State University had to be euthanized today, but not before her twin calves were delivered by Caesarian section. The cow from WSU’s dairy center, which had fractured a rear leg from slipping on the ice, was first given an epidural for “complete pain relief,” Charlie Powell, spokesman for the WSU College of Veterinary Medicine, wrote in a press release. She was then rendered brain dead, and fourth-year vet student Isaac Bott removed both calves in about one minute, while their mother’s heart remained beating. The cow was then euthanized and her calves – born outside and three weeks premature – were given post-natal care. The baby heffers’ condition remains guarded, Powell wrote.