PATHOLOGY - Calving Flashcards
What is stage 1 of normal calving?
Stage 1 of calving is when uterine contractions begin. There are not visible externally however the cow can experience behavioural changes such as restlessness, raise their tailhead and swish their tail. These uterine contractions will move the calf from the uterus into the pelvis
How long should stage 1 of calving last?
Stage 1 of calving can be variable and last up to 24 hours
What is stage 2 of normal calving?
Stage 2 of calving begins when the water bag is visible. Abdominal contractions will begin and the cow may vocalise. Once the feet are visible, calving should make progress every 20 minutes and the calf should be born within approximately an hour and a half
What stimulates abdominal contractions in calving?
In calving, abdominal contractions are stimulated by the pressure of the calf within the pelvis
What is indicated if abdominal contractions are not seen in calving?
If abdominal contractions do not begin, this can indicate the calf is stuck and has not reached the pelvis
How long should stage 2 of calving last?
Stage 2 of calving can last between 30 minutes to 4 hours
Which history questions can be beneficial to ask when investigating a difficult calving?
How long has she been calving?
Has she been straining?
Which stage of calving is she in?
When was she due?
Has she had any problems calving in the past?
How old is the cow? Is she a heifer?
What breed was the sire?
Have you applied any traction?
Has the farmer put their hand in and if so what did they feel?
What is the demeanour of the cow?
Is there any excessive bleeding?
Is there a bad smell?
Has the placenta passed before the calf?
What can be indicated if the cow has been calving for a long period of time?
Dead calf
Uterine twist
What can be indicated if the cow has been calving but not straining?
Calf is too big
Uterine twist
What can be indicated is a cow is overdue calving?
Calf is too big
What can be indicated if the calving cow is a heifer?
Heifers can have a small pelvis which can make calving more challenging
Which sire breed is known to result in complicated calvings?
Belgian Blue sires have a reputation for resulting in complicated calvings as the feet of the calf are small but the rump is very large and can get stuck
What is indicated if the farmer has applied traction but the cow still hasn’t calved?
If the farmer has applied traction and the cow still hasn’t calved, this can indicate a cesarean may be required
What is indicated if the cow is systemically unwell?
If the cow is systemically unwell, this can indicate that an underlying disease process may be contributing to the dystocia
Identify this piece of calving equipment
Calving jack
Identify this piece of calving equipment
Block and tackle
Identify this piece of calving equipment
Eye hook
Identify this piece of calving equipment
Guarded knife
Identify this piece of calving equipment
Embryotome and embryotomy wire
Identify this piece of calving equipment
Gyn stick
What can the gyn stick be used to correct?
The gyn stick can be useful to correct a ‘twist’
What are the restraint options for doing a clinical examination on a calving cow?
Head rope tied to a gate
Calving gate
Crush
Remember, do not calve a cow with their head restrained
Which factors should you assess when doing a clinical examination on a calving cow?
Body condition score
Demeanour
Udder
You don’t have time to do a full clinical examination
How should prepare for calving?
Have any calving equipment you may require available
Clean and disinfect the perineum
Put on gloves
Use plenty of lubricant
Which factors should you assess when you begin to vaginally examine a calving cow?
Is the cervix open or closed?
What anatomy of the calf can you feel?
Is the calf alive or dead?
Can this calf be delivered vaginally?
How will an open cervix feel on vaginal palpation?
If the cervix is open you will not be able to feel the cervix, you will just be able to feel the calf
How will a partially open cervix feel on vaginal palpation?
If the cervix is partially open, you will feel a ring on vaginal palpation
How will a closed cervix feel on vaginal palpation?
If the cervix is closed you will feel the calf through the uterine wall
What can you do to determine if the calf is dead or alive within the cow?
Pinch the hoof
Poke your hand in the mouth to test the gag reflex
Poke the eye
Feel the heart/pulse
What are some key signs that the calf has been death within the cow for a long time?
Putrid smell
Emphysematous calf
Disintegrated calf
What are the key signs that you should be able to deliver a calf vaginally?
If the head can be brought into the pelvis and stays there without being pulled
If you can pass your hand over the head and shoulders when the calf is in the pelvis
If the feet are out 10cm beyond the cow
What are some of the warning signs that a calf cannot be delivered vaginally?
Feet have crossed over
Feet have turned inwards
No progression in calving
(T/F) Traction can be used to assess if the calf can be delivered vaginally
FALSE. Traction should not be used to assess if the calf can be delivered vaginally as this will stress the calf
How does a calving jack generate force?
When using a calving jack, the force is generated through the downwards leverage, not the ratchet. Ideally you should provide leverage when the cow contracts
At what stage do you have to persist with a vaginal delivery because a cesarean is not longer possible?
If the head and shoulders are through the pelvis, you cannot put the calf back into the canal for a cesarean (‘point of no return’)
How do you correct a calving malpresentation where the head is back?
Push on the shoulder or sternum of the calf to push them back to give yourself more room to correct the malpresentation. Grasp the mandible and gently guide the head into position in the pelvis. A head rope is often required to line up the head with the pelvis and stop it from turning back again
How do you correct a calving malpresentation where the both legs and back and only the head is presented?
Push on the head of the calf to push them back to give yourself more room to correct the malpresentation. Pull the legs up and into the canal, making sure to cup the hooves to prevent perforating the uterus. Use calving ropes if necessary
If the cow is dead, just cut the head off and calf the cow
How do you correct a calving malpresentation where the the head and one leg is presented?
Push on the head of the calf to push them back to give yourself more room to correct the malpresentation. Pull the leg up and into the canal, making sure to cup the hoof to prevent perforating the uterus. Use calving ropes if necessary
What is the difference between a backwards calving presentation and a breach?
A backwards calving presentation has their hindlimbs extended, whereas a breach has their hindlimbs tucked in
How do you correct a backwards calving presentation?
Fully extend the hindlimbs whilst cupping the hooves to prevent perforating the uterine wall. Rotate the calf slightly, using upwards traction if possible. When the hips are visible, use fast, downward traction
How do you correct a breach calving presentation?
Push the calf back into the body to give yourself more room to correct the malpresentation. Grap the hock and using a rope, pull the hindlimb out of the vagina. Repeat for the other leg. Rotate the calf slightly, using upwards traction if possible. When the hips are visible, use fast, downward traction
Which NSAIDs is contraindicated for calving?
Flunixin
What is the function of clenbuterol in calving?
Clenbuterol is a β2 agonist and relaxes the uterus
What are the indications for clenbuterol?
To increase space to correct malpresentations
To delay involution (shrinkage of the uterus) and allow for easier stitching with a cesaerean
What is the function of oxytocin in calving?
Oxytocin stimulates uterine contractions
What are the indications for oxytocin?
Reverse clenbuterol
Retained foetal membranes
Post calving uterine artery haemorrhage
Stimulate milk letdown
What is a uterine twist?
A uterine twist in calving is where the uterus flips over itself, usually during stage 1 of calving, causing a twist at the junction between the uterus and the cervix
What are the risk factors for a uterine twist?
Cows are more prone than heifers
Big calves (esp. in beef cows)
Hypocalcaemia
Why are cows more prone to uterine twists than heifers?
Cows tend to have more stretched and lax ligaments and muscles that support the uterus, as well as tend to have a deeper abdomen and thus have a reduced ability to keep the uterus in a fixed position
Which direction does the uterus usually twist?
The uterus usually twists in an anticlockwise direction
How does a uterine twist feel on vaginal palpation if it is a post-cervical torsion?
If it is a post-cervical torsion, you will feel folds on vaginal palpation
How does a uterine twist feel on vaginal palpation if it is a pre-cervical torsion?
If it is a pre-cervical torsion and thus a twist in the uterus only, the vagina will feel normal and the cervix will likely be closed. You will not feel any folds on vaginal palpation. However, you will be able to feel the twist of the broad ligaments on rectal palpation
How can you correct a twisted uterus if you can feel the calf on vaginal palpation?
Manually flip the calf and the uterus by rocking it back and forth to gain momentum and then flip it in the opposite direction to the twist, or you can you a gyn stick
How can you correct a twisted uterus if you can’t feel the calf on vaginal palpation?
Cast and roll the cow in the direction of the twist, or do a cesarean section
What should you be aware of after correcting a uterine twist?
After correcting a uterine twist, the cervix will need time to dilate before you can calve the cow
What is the prognosis for a twisted uterus?
Calf is often dead, and there is a higher risk of cesaerean section complications as the twist will comprimise the blood flow to the uterus
Which species are more prone to cervical stenosis?
Sheep
What is another name for cervical stenosis?
Ring womb
How can you treat cervical stenosis?
Give the cervix time to relax and see what happens
Manually dilate the cervix by massaging it open
Cesaerean section
What is the main risk of manually dilating a cervical stenosis?
You can risk tearing the cervix which will have implications for the following lambing/calving
What is the typical signalement for vulval stenosis?
Heifers are prone to vulval stenosis
How do you treat vulval stenosis?
Give the vulva time to relax and see what happens
Use lubricant and manual stretching of the vulva
Episiotomy
Which possibilities should you consider if you are applying traction when calving, but are making no progress?
Malpresentation has not been corrected
Calf is too big for vaginal delivery
Calf is deformed
What is a shistosoma refluxus?
A shistosoma refluxus is a rare and fatal congenital condition where there is spinal inversion, exposed abdominal organs and the hindquarters and twisted up towards the head
How do you manage a shistosoma refluxus?
If the calf has schistosoma refluxus, you will have to do either a cesaerean or an embryotomy to remove it from the cow
What is the typical presentation of a calf with ascites at calving?
Usually everything will feel normal however when you apply traction there will be no progress due to the abdominal distension
What is the prognosis for a calf with ascites at calving?
Calf is likely already dead or has a very poor prognosis if still alive
How do you manage a calf with ascites at calving?
Use a guarded knife and try to reach and cut open the calf’s abdomen from within the cow to release the fluid and pull the calf calve the cow
What is polymelia?
Polymelia is a congenital defect in which the calf has additional limbs
How do you manage polymelia at calving?
Cesaerean section
What is an embryotomy?
Embryotomy is the mutilation of the calf using an embryotomy wire
What are the indications for an embryotomy?
Dead calf
Unable to calve with manipulation and traction
Calf stuck at their hips (‘hip lock’)
How do you carry out a ‘hip lock’ embryotomy?
- Euthanise the calf if it is not already dead
- Do a caudal epidural and administer NSAIDs to the cow
- Use traction to get as much of the calf out as possible
- For your first cut, cut just behind the ribs through the soft tissue with a knife and then use an embryotomy wire to cut through the spine
- For the second cut, pass the embryotomy wire dorsally over the back, between the legs and along the ventrum and cut through
- Remove the calf from the cow
How do you manage a cow following an embryotomy?
Continued NSAIDs
Broad spectrum antibiotic
Fluid therapy
