Management of Bovine Dystocia

Question 1

what are some key things to consider when dealing with bovine dystocia

Answer 1

1) heifer vs cow
2) hypocalcemia if its a dairy cow
3) uterine torsion?
4) fetal size and pelvic space!
5) presentation, posture, position
6) fetal number
7) fetal viability

Question 2

T/F the diagnostic traction protocol and good vs bad signs are the same in horses and cows

Answer 2

T

Question 3

What aspect of dystocia management is done in mares but not in cows

Answer 3

CVD is not performed

Question 4

What aspect of dystocia management is much cheaper in cows than mares

Answer 4

c-section -> done standing on the farm

Question 5

when doing assisted vaginal delivery on a cow, you want to pull when __________ and release when ___________

Answer 5

pull when cow strains, release when cow relaxes

Question 6

it is important to give the cow enough time for….

Answer 6

the cervix, vagina and vulva to stretch

Question 7

how can you help with stretchin

Answer 7

place a hand behind the calf’s head

Question 8

what is a consideration to make when dealing with bovine dystocia (something we can do to help prevent damage to the cow)

Answer 8

episiotomy

Question 9

what can be used when additional force is needed in cows only

Answer 9

calf-jack

Question 10

how much force can a calf jack apply

Answer 10

400kg

Question 11

oxytocin is NEVER indicated during dystocia in _____________ because dystocia in these species is due to _____________ or _______________ whereas it may be indicated in ____________ because dystocia in these species is commonly due to _________________

Answer 11

cows, mares, ewes, does; fetal malalignment or feto-pelvic disproportion; sows, bitches, queens; uterine inertia

Question 12

if you give oxytocin to a cow, horse, ewe, or doe what could happen

Answer 12

uterine rupture!

Question 13

before you give oxytocin to a bitch, queen or sow what do you need to ensure

Answer 13

that there is no pelvic obstruction due to fetal malalignment

Question 14

when would you decide on c-section over fetotomy

Answer 14

1) calf alive and there is not enough space for CVD
2) obstruction will not allow vaginal delivery
3) calf dead but you suspect a fetal monster (can make fetotomy difficult)

Question 15

when would you decide on fetotomy over c-section

Answer 15

1) calf dead and there is enough space to work with the fetotome
2) calf decomposed and c-section increases risk of abdominal contamination

Question 16

how is bovine c-section performed

Answer 16

standing with local anesthetic

Question 17

what are the possible approaches to c-section

Answer 17

1) left flank (paralumbar fossa, mid to low flank, ventrolateral oblique)
2) paramedian
3) ventral midline

Question 18

what are the two ways to provide local anesthetic for flank c-section

which is preferred

Answer 18

inverted L block, paravertebral block (T13, L1, L2)

paravertebral is preferred

Question 19

what are some complications of dystocia in cows

Answer 19

1) trauma to perineum, vagina, cervix
2) retained membranes
3) incisional complications
4) peritonitis (if contamination during surgery)