Calving And Dystocia Flashcards
Describe stage 1 labour.
Dilation of the cervix (3-6h)
- separates herself, appetite drops, restless
- thick string of mucous hanging down from vulva
- towards the end this abdominal straining every 2-3 minutes
Describe stage 2 labour.
Expulsion of the calf
- first the waterbag appears, then pops
- strong abdominal contractions push the calf out
Describe stage 3 labour.
Expulsion of the placenta
Usually within a couple of hours
Retained if still present after 12 h
What makes the ideal calving pen?
12 x 12ft
Easy to clean out
Cow is alone
Quick release headlock
When should you intervene during labour?
No progress made after the water bag has been present for 1h
No progress to 2nd stage labour after 6h - twisted uterus
Bleeding for the vulva
Extreme discomfort
What is the most common cause of dystocia?
Fetomaternal disproportion
What can cause dystocia?
Fetomaternal disproportion Malpresentation Insufficient cervical dilation Uterine torsion Uterine inertia Cervical prolapse Pelvic fracture Cervical neoplasia Uterine rupture Foetal abnormalities
What factors predispose a dam to dystocia due to fetomaternal disproportion?
Large calf
Fat dam
Poorly grown dam
Dead emphysematous calf
What should you ask in a dystocia specific history?
Age, parity, breed of dam, breed of sire, previous problems
Has the water bag broken, when?
How long has she been straining?
Has the farmer attempted to relieve her?
What should you assess in a vaginal exam in a case of dystocia?
Tears Position of the calf Relation and dilation of the cervix Signs of life from the calf Possibility of extraction Position of the umbilical cord
How can you cause uterine relaxation to provide you with more space?
Caudal epidural
Clenbuterol (beta 2 agonist)
What must you consider when using obstetric traction?
Don’t use more than the force of 3 men
Calf pullers cause lots of damage and increase infections
Follow pelvic conformation
What foetal factors can increase the risk of dystocia?
Bull calves
Twins
Continental calves
What factors suggest that a calf in anterior presentation can’t be delivered per vaginum?
Forelimbs crossing over - insufficient space
Can’t bring the fetlocks more than a hands width outside vulva - can’t get shoulders in the pelvic canal
What factors suggest that a calf in posterior presentation can’t be delivered per vaginum?
No space between the calls tail head and cows pelvic inlet
Can’t exteriorise the hocks outside the vuvla
What should you always check before delivering a calf in posterior presentation?
That the umbilical cord is not wrapped around the hock
When is an episiotomy indicated?
Heifers
Where the cervix is fully dilated but the vulva hasn’t
Following 20min of attempting to manually dilate the vulva
What drugs should you use for an episiotomy?
Caudal epidural - procaine
Antibiotics
When and where should you make an episiotomy incision?
10-11 o’clock or 1-2 o’clock - never midline - risk of vaginorectal fistula
Make the incision when the calfs head is passing through the vagina
What suture material should you use for an episiotomy?
Dissolvable sutures - if she tears again there are not sutures to become infected
What are complications of an episiotomy?
Wound infection and breakdown
Rectovaginal fistula
Weak point - may reduce calving ability
Changed perineal conformation - reduced fertility
What are the indications for a full fetotomy?
Large calf
Abnormal calf - eg schmallenberg