Dystocia in the cow

Question 1

What are the two main causes of dystocia in cattle?

Answer 1

Maternal causes: Inadequate pelvic size, uterine torsion, failure of cervical dilation, uterine inertia.
Fetal causes: Oversized fetus, malpresentation, malposture, congenital defects.

Question 2

What are key considerations in decision-making for dystocia cases?

Answer 2

How long has she been calving?
What is causing the dystocia, and is it correctable?
Is the calf alive?
Is the cow a suitable surgical candidate if intervention is needed?

Question 3

How can dystocia be managed and prevented?

Answer 3

Selective breeding: Avoid using bulls with high birth weight calves for heifers.
Good nutrition: Prevent over-conditioning or under-conditioning.
Supervision during calving season: Intervene early if progress stalls.
Pelvic scoring in heifers: Helps identify those at risk of dystocia.

Question 4

What facilities and aftercare should be considered in dystocia cases?

Answer 4

Ensure a clean, well-lit, and well-restrained environment.
Have appropriate equipment ready (ropes, calving jack, lubricant, gloves).
Post-calving care: Check for uterine tears, monitor for metritis, provide pain relief and fluids if needed.

Question 5

A dairy cow started calving at lunchtime but hasn’t progressed. She was straining but stopped. Vaginal exam reveals tight folds in the vaginal wall, and your hand twists anticlockwise inside. What should you do next?

Answer 5

Suspect uterine torsion.
Correct torsion manually or via rolling (Schäffer’s method) or laparotomy if needed.
Assess fetal viability and intervene accordingly.

Question 6

A 16-month-old heifer is calving, likely due to an accidental service. She is recumbent and straining. The head and both front feet can’t be engaged in the pelvis together, and the calf appears dead. What should you do next?

Answer 6

Suspect fetal-maternal disproportion.
Perform a fetotomy if safe for the dam, or proceed with C-section if necessary.
Provide post-procedure care, including fluids and antibiotics.

Question 7

A suckler cow is calving, but only a tail can be felt on vaginal exam. The cow is straining in a crush, and the fetal hind legs are folded underneath (breech presentation). What should you do next?

Answer 7

Manually correct the breech presentation by repelling the calf and bringing hind limbs into the birth canal.
If unsuccessful, consider C-section.
Ensure proper aftercare for both cow and calf