cow pregnancy and birth Flashcards
what factors are cow pregnancies dependent on?
- time of calving
- body condition
- age
- suckling calves
- weight changes
- bull fertility
- bull to cow ratio
- bull libido
gestation period (cattle)
- the time from conception to birth
- in cattle is 282 days +/- 1w
parturition
- in cattle is called calving
- the various physiological processes involved in the birth of the young
dystocia
- abnormal or difficult parturition
placenta
- the fetal membrane or afterbirth
- provides the fetus with nutrients and oxygen and removes waste during pregnancy
- supplies some of the hormones necessary to maintain the pregnancy
caesarean section
- incision through the abdominal and uterine wall for the delivery of a fetus
- in cattle is a standing sx using a flank incision performed under local anesthesia
embryotomy/fetotomy
the dismemberment of a fetus in the uterus or vegina
colostrum
- the first milk
- contains protective antibodies (g)
- is usually thick, creamy and yellow
- important in the first 24h
- can store for 1y frozen
what are some signs of parturition
- relaxation of the pelvic ligaments (caused by the hormone relaxin), indicates parturition should occur in 24-48h
- edema and relaxation of the vulva
- enlargement of the udder
- changes in mammary secretins (colostrum)
- vaginal discharge (starts around 7months)
- loss of appetite
- restless
- colic
- isolate themselves
what does the hormone relaxin do?
- relax the pelvic ligaments
describe the first stage of labor
- active contractions of the uterus
- expulsion and rupture of the water bag
- fetus moves into the birth canal
- the appearance of some portion of the calf signals the end of this stage
describe the second stage of labor
- usually, the cow will lies in lateral
- oxytocin
- more severe muscle contractions
- is the most difficult stage
- after the chest is delivered, the hips will follow rapidly
describe the third stage of labor
- expulsion of the fetal membranes and involution of the uterus
- placenta should be expelled within 12-24h (otherwise considered retained)
- The placenta should never be pulled off the caruncles
caruncles
velcro like
in the placenta and birth sac
what are some hereditary causes of dystocia?
- inguinal hernia
- umbilical hernia
- abnormalities of the reproductive tract
- genetic anomalies of the offspring
what are some nutritional causes of dystocia?
- undersized
- oversized
- poor management
what are the categories of causes of dystocia?
- hereditary
- nutrition
- infectious
- traumatic
- uterine inertia
- oversized
- fetal abnormalities
what could cause uterine inertia
- milk fever
- poor conditioning
- over distension of the uterus
what are some fetal abnormalities?
- hydrocephalic
- schistosomes reflex
- hydrops
- monsters
describe schistosomes
- a fetal monster characterized by acute angulations of the spine so that the head lies close to the tail, and the thoracic and abdominal cavities have no ventral wall, and the viscera is uncontained
describe hydrops
the excessive accumulation of serous fluid in tissues or cavities of the body
describe monsters
abnormally large calves or deformed calves
what is the best calf position during parturition
- superman pose
- dorsal-dorsal with head between the arms
- dorsal-ventral cannot deliver
milk fever
- dairy cow issue
- decreased Ca leading to weakness
- can lead to innertia
questions to ask when getting an obstetrical hx (8)
- duration of gestation (rough due date)
- breeding hx (1st calf, breed, size of sire)
- previous parturition hx
- disease hx
- duration of labor
- stage of labor (and how long she has been in that stage)
- condition of the dam
- location of the dam
how to attach chains to the calf
- attach using a dual-loop
- 1 loop above and 1 below the fetlock
what are some disadvantages of using chains to help get the calf out?
- vaginal tears
- injured calf
- prolapses
