Calving and Dystocia in cattle 1, 2 + 3 Flashcards
Describe stage 1 of labour
- Dilation of the cervix
- May take 3-6hrs
- Thick string of mucus is seen hanging from the vulva
- Abdominal straining gets more frequent
- Uterine contents pushes against the cervix
How does a cows behaviour change in stage 1 of labour?
- Separates herself from the group
- Decreased appetite
- Frequently alternates between lying and standing
Describe stage 2 of labour
- Delivery of the calf
- Begins with the appearance of membranes (water bag) at the vulva
- This stage may last several hours
- Water bag ruptures with a sudden rush of fluid
- Cervix dilates with further pressure from the calf
- Powerful reflex and voluntary contractions of abdominal muscle and diaphragm (“straining”) serve to expel the calf
Describe stage 3 of labour
Expulsion of the placenta
Usually happens relatively quickly, within a few hours
When are membranes classed as retianed?
If not expelled within 12hrs after delivery of the calf
Describe the features of ideal calving facilities
- Optimum is a 12x12ft individual pen
- Needs to be easy to clean out in-between calving’s to provide excellent hygiene
- Well bedded and dry
- Good access to food and water
- Good lighting
- Well ventilated and in a well located quiet area of the farm
- Milking facility
What is the main consequence of intervening too early when a cow is in labour?
Intervention too early when the cow is in 1st stage labour can prevent full dilatation of the cervix
In which situations should you intervene during labour?
- No progress has been made by the cow after 1 hour of the water bag starts showing
- If you thought she was showing signs of 1st stage labour but has not progressed to 2nd stage after 6 hours – possible twisted uterus
- She appears in extreme discomfort
- There is significant bleeding from the vulva
List some causes of dystocia
- Malpresentation
- Foeto-maternal oversize
- Congenital abnormality
- Hydrops allantois
- Schmallenberg Virus
- Primary inertia: hypocalcaemia
What are some causes of foeto-maternal oversize?
Large calf
Fat dam
Young/poorly grown dam
Dead emphysematous calf
How is dystocia diagnosed?
- History
- General impression: cows attitude, BCS, behaviour
- General exam (if indicated, e.g. recumbent and not bright / bloated. Check udder)
- Obstetrical examination: vaginal exam, rectal exam
What needs to be assessed during the vaginal exam of a cow with dystocia?
- Lesions (tears) or haemorrhage
- Position of uterus and calf
- Relaxation and dilatation of vulva, vagina, cervix
- Signs of life from calf
- Possibility of extraction
- Position of umbilical cord (particularly with breech presentations)
How should you initially approach a cow with dystocia?
- Restrain – not recommended to do in a crush in case the cow goes down
- Clean
- Lubricate
- Identify
What are the 3 Rs used in the approach to dystocia?
- Reposition
- Repulsion
- Rotation
What are some tips to remember when dealing with dystocia?
- Position cow “downhill” (or uphill): use gravity
- Best lubricant = J-lube
- Pump warm water & lube into uterus: Fill her up !
- Sink plunger for repulsion
- Epidural anaesthesia
Which drug can be given to help relax the uterus?
Clenbuterol
In which situations would you want to phone a colleague during a dystocia case?
- You find a true breech
- You suspect a twisted uterus
- You can’t make sense of what you feel in the vagina
- You find lots of bleeding
- You don’t make any progress within 20 minutes of trying to calve her/correct a malpresentation
Which factors can increase the likelihood of a difficult calving?
- Twins
- First pregnancy
- Bull calf
- Breed of dam
- Breed of sire
Compare placing rope/chain above vs below the fetlock of the calf
Above = higher risk of leg fracture
Below = higher risk of rope slipping off
Double loop = minimal chance of leg fracture or rope slipping off - one loop above fetlock, 2nd below
What does a calfs legs crossing in the birth canal suggest?
That they are too big so a caesarean is needed
In the standing cow with a calf in an anterior position describe the rules for decision making on wether to delivery vaginally or perform a c-section
- Head can be brought into pelvis
- Head stays in the pelvic canal and doesnt fall back into the uterus
- Hand can be easily slid between the foetal cranium and maternal sacrum
- Each fetlock can be alternately exteriorised
How can you decide on which legs are forelimb and which are hindlimb?
Front leg – 2 joints that go ventrally
Back leg – one joint goes ventrally and one goes dorsally
What do you need to be careful of when twisting a calf into an dorsal anterior position?
Not causing a uterine torsion
In the standing cow with a calf in a posterior position describe the rules for decision making on wether to delivery vaginally or perform a c-section
- Assess space by sliding hand over tail head
- Two people should be able to exteriorise the limbs to the point at which the hocks are past the vulva. Failure to do so rules out calving per vaginum
- Check position of umbilical cord. Could be round hock. If so then as you pull calf break cord and calf may die/drown before you get it out. Advice farm of risk. Could do caesarean section or calve and take the risk