Complicated Calving & Post Partum Conditions of Cows Flashcards
when does a twisted uterus occur
1st stage labour (? cervix dilation)
what direction does a twisted uterus normally occur in
Normally anti-clockwise (60% pregnant in right horn)
usually involves vagina (occasionally pre cervical = hard to feel)
what is the most common degree of uterine torsion
90º > 180º > 280º > 360º
tight band (90º) vs completely closed (360º)
what would you feel with a uterine torsion
how do you diagnose a twisted uterus
Classic history:
- Calving long time, not getting on with it
- Doesn’t feel right
- Can’t feel calf
Feel vaginal folds twisted (NOT pre-cervical)
Rectal exam for broad ligament (pre-cervical)
how do you correct a twisted uterus
if you can feel the calf (90-280)
roll the calf to untwist the uterus –> depends on your stature, not easy if dry/dead calf
- hold calf + rock calf back and forward to start momentum then, flip it over in opposite direction of twist
- gyn stick
- cast and roll cow
how do you correct a twisted uterus if you can’t feel the calf >180
cast/roll cow IN DIRECTION of twist (as you stand behind)
Ex. Cast onto left lateral, move cow anticlockwise
Vet holds onto calf (or plank on flank to hold calf in position)
Needs momentum and 3 people!
Sometimes calf upside down after
Kick zone*
Whichever method —> cervix needs time to dilate (membranes intact okay)
If doesn’t work need c-section
what are the risk factors for a twisted uterus
Cows compared to heifers (lax ligaments, bigger abdomen)
Big calves
Male calves
Hypocalcium
Excessive fetal movement (slopes)
what is the prognosis with a twisted uterus
Calf often dead
C-section complications
what are the causes of cervical stenosis
Interfering too quickly?
Historically 2 feet 2 hours but evidence intervening earlier is not always a bad thing
how can you treat cervical stenosis
Can attempt to manually dilate (make cone shape with arms)
Nothing pharmaceutical will work
Consider c-section (or risk tear)
Common after twisted uterus
More common in sheep than cattle
what is vulval stenosis
more common in heifers
lube and manual stretching for up to 20 mins
or episiotomy
what should you do if there is a dead, emphysematous rotten calf
can use considerable traction as long as cow isn’t damaged
lots of lube
make sure you get all bits
fetotomy
if there is a traction applied and no progress what could be happening
- malpresentation not corrected
- calf too big or cow too small
- deformed
what is shistosoma refluxus and how would you manage it
rare, fatal congenital condition
spinal inversion, abdominal organs exposed, limb alkalosis and limbs adjacent to skull
fetotomy or c section
can be confused as twins
what is ascites of the calf
everything feels okay at front apply traction but no progress despite there being plenty room
what is polymelia
one or more supernumerary legs
Depends on what/where
C-section
what are the indications for an embryotomy/fetotomy (3)
- dead calf
- unable to calf with manipulation and traction
- hip lock/stuch at the hips
how would you perform a hip lock embryotomy/fetotomy
First, try rotation or sharp turn of calf to cows flank
Traction — as much of calf out as possible
1st cut — cut soft tissue (knife) behind ribs then embryotomy wire through spine
2nd cut — pass wire dorsally over back, between legs then along venture (long arm or use wire feeder)
Thread wire onto embryotome or pipe
Attach wire to handles
Muscles
Grab 2 hind quarters + remove one at a time
how do you care for cow post embryotomy/fetotomy
Down cow management
Continued NSAID
Broad spectrum antibiotics
Fluids (if not drinking)
Often nerve damage
what should you do first when calf is delivered
First check umbilicus for hemorrhage
how do you resuscitate a calf (4)
- ensure airway open and clear fluid
- sternal recumbency and clear fluid
- water in ears, straw up nose (initiate a gasping reflex and help aerate the lungs, hypothermal respiratory stimulation)
- rubbing chest, FL and HL meeting (stimulate the phrenic nerve)
- acupuncture points on the muzzle
hang over gate only if fluid in lung? (10 sec max)
what medication can be used to resuscitate a calf
doxapram hydrochloride (dopram)
CNS stimulant used to stimulate respirations in newborns
increase in resp rate and volume occur
why do all calves have a degree of resp acidosis
respiration delayed = low oxygen = anaerobic metabolism = lactic acid produced (L-lactate) = metabolic acidosis
so if hard calving and breathing delayed = acidosis
what are the consequences of acidosis
all of these reduced = disaster
Respiratory function
Cardiac function
Calf vigor
Suck reflex
IgG absorption
what is the normal pH in calves
7.4
acidotic = 7.2
what are the signs of calf acidosis
No/reduced respiratory
No suck reflex
Time sternal recumbency (TSR) > 3mins (9 mins = risk of death)
Time to standing > 15-30 mins
Dull
Hyperreflex
Scleral/conjunctival hemorrhage
how is calf acidosis treated
50-100ml 8.4% bicarbonate solution slow IV
(35g bicarb in 400ml saline makes 8.4%)
Must be breathing in order to metabolize the bicarb
why do calves die at time of calving
look for signs of hemorrhage seen in sclera, trachea, brain
what is the thoracic/madigan squeeze
weak or “dummy” calves are indifferent to stimulus, clumsy, lethargic and have weak or no suckle reflex
traumatic or Caesarian section birth. They are frustrating to raise, may require multiple tube feedings, and often don’t survive
Madigan’s theory is that when animals travel through the birth canal, it causes a surge of hormones that shut down sedative neurosteroids that keep them calm in the womb. Because both cattle and horses are prey species, it is important that they make a quick switch to consciousness so they could theoretically run to safety within a few hours of birth.
how is a thoracic/madigan squeeze done
Wrap a long, soft rope in three concentric loops around the calf’s chest.
Gently pull the rope to create pressure around the ribs. The calf should lie down and will enter a sleep-like state with eyes closed, slowed breathing and lowered heart rate.
Maintain this position for 20 minutes.
Remove the rope and assist the calf in standing.
what should be done once the calf is born
colostrum
treat navel with strong iodine
clean environment
NSAID (meloxicam, calf and mom?)
what are other post calving problems with the calf
Fractures
- Legs, ribs, jaw
Femoral nerve paralysis
Glossal edema
- Impairs feeding
Umbilical hemorrhage
Umbilicus torn off short —> possibility of hernias?
= Colostrum intake impaired
what are post calving problems with the cow
Vaginal exam
Another calf? Bleeding? Bruising?
Check udder for mastitis/colostrum
what possible medical therapy can be given to the cow post calving
NSAID
- Every calving or just big pull?
- Avoid flunixin (ex. Finadyne or Cronyxin) —> can result in retained fetal membrane
- Meloxicam or ketoprofen
Broad spectrum antibiotics
- Indicated if any tears, dead calf, fecal/environmental contamination +++
- Oxytetracycline, amoxycillin
Oxytocin (if clenbuterol administration)
Calcium (injection/bolus) — especially if dairy cow, down cow etc
Oral fluids
if there is a vaginal or pudendal artery hemorrhage what should you do
die (0-6 hours)
May not be obvious (internal bleeding)
Strip away fat around vessel
Tricky to tie off so large clamp (leave in situ, tie to tail) or pack vagina (towel or bed sheet)
Blood transfusion (IVFT)
if there is a uterine artery hemorrhage what should you do
Oozing, non-specific
Epidural and pack uterus + Buhner stitch + oxytocin
Remove after 24 hours
+/- blood transfusion (IVFT
what is common post calving complication in the cow
uterine prolapse
why do uterine prolapses occur
hypocalcemia (delayed uterine involution)
excessive traction/straining
when do uterine prolapses occur
mins- hours after calving
how do you assess a uterine prolapse
Is there severe hemorrhage? (mms, hr, visual)
Is the tissue viable?
Is there an obvious tear?
Is there GIT?
how do you treat a uterine prolapse
Standing in crush or sternal with legs extended (frog) (xylazine)
- No other way —> can’t do it in lateral recumbency
Epidural
Clean uterus and remove/trim placenta
Assess tissue
If tears in uterus — everting stitch
Assistant (x2) holds uterus UP (one on either side) you push IN
One cotyledon at a time —> start near vulva and be patient
LUBE (inject oxytocin into uterus?)
Not sugar!
Don’t perforate, palm of hand!
Make sure whole uterus completely everted
Stitch as per prolapsed vagina —> not what will keep uterus in place, need to have it properly everted
Broad spectrum antibiotics 3-5 days, NSAID, Ca, fluids
Stitches in 4-5 days?
Prognosis (70%) but delays getting back in calf
Die from shock/hemorrhage
how do you ensure the whole uterus is everted
wine bottle?
what nerves can be damaged during calving
obturator
peroneal
sciatic
why does nerve damage occur
result of prolonged calving or too tight
what are the signs of obturator nerve paralysis
unable to adduct so cow does the splits
what are the signs of peroneal nerve paralysis
unable to extend fetlock so knuckle
what are the signs of sciatic nerve paralysis
unable to rise (multiple nerves)
how do you diagnose nerve damage in a cow
observations
test deep pain and reflexes
how do you treat nerve damages in cow
NSAID or steroids
hobbles
nursing
3 week recovery
what are ddx in down cow
what are factors that affect dystocia in cattle
