Perinatal Calf Care

Question 1

you are presented with an 8 day old 45kg calf that is depressed, has eyeball recession of 5mm, and has a skin tent of 3 seconds. The calf is currently in sternal recumbency. Calculate how many fluids this calf needs

Answer 1

the calf is about 8% dehydrated

dehydration replacement: 0.08 x 45 kg= 3.6L

ongoing losses between 2-4L a day. In the middle=3L

maintenance is 50ml/kg/day x 45= 2.25 L

added all together is 8.85 L in 24 hours

Question 2

you are presented with an 8 day old 45kg calf that is depressed, has eyeball recession of 5mm, and has a skin tent of 3 seconds. The calf is currently in sternal recumbency. Calculate the acid base correction this calf needs.

Answer 2

8 day old calf in sternal recumbency needs 15mEq/L

45kg x 15mEq/L x 0.6= 405mEq/L

Question 3

what are some biomarkers of trauma in calves undergone difficult calving?

Answer 3

CK and AST

Question 4

can and should we be mitigate pain in calves assisted at birth?

Answer 4

YES use NSAIDs!

Question 5

which NSAIDs should you be using for the cows/mothers after assisted calving?

Answer 5

meloxicam
ketoprofen

Question 6

what NSAIDs should you be using for the calves after assisted calving?

Answer 6

meloxicam
ketoprofen

Question 7

calving difficulty has two main negative impacts on calf’s physiology, they are

Answer 7

trauma and oxygen deprivation

Question 8

why are calves prone to becoming hypoxemic and acidemic when being born?

Answer 8

the umbillical cord pinches off once the calf reaches a certain point in the birth canal, and prolonged calving results in oxygen deprevation=respiratory acidosis

anaerobic glycolysis occurs resulting in lactatemia and metabolic acidosis

Question 9

all newborn calves have what acid base derrangement at birth?

Answer 9

mixed respiratory acidosis-metabolic acidosis

more difficult calving=more severe

Question 10

what are some techniques to resuscitate apneic or hypopneic newborn calves?

Answer 10

rub the calf vigorously, pour cold water on the head or in the ear, poke straw or a finger in the nose

Question 11

a lot of producers hang newborn calves over the fence. Should this be done?

Answer 11

NOOOO OMG

Question 12

what are some techniques to assist ventilation in newborn calves?

Answer 12

an air mask (muclo-mask respirator) or an LMA (laryngeal mask airway)

Question 13

poor calf vigour is associated with

Answer 13

acidemia (pH and lactate) and tissue damage (CK and AST)

Question 14

what are things we need to check in newborn calves after we’ve done history taking, PE, etc?

Answer 14

eponychium (fairy slippers)
umbillicus
joints
palate
hydration

Question 15

why do we care about meconium staining in calves?

Answer 15

it indicates in-utero stress and may aspirate into the lungs leading to pneumonia

in normal calves, it should be passed after birth within 24 hours (usually within 3 hours)

Question 16

what does a swollen head and/or tongue indicate in a newborn calf?

Answer 16

indicates there was calving difficulty–>congestion and edema associated with impaired venous return due to being stuck in the birth canal for long periods. can make it difficult to swallow or suckle.

Question 17

what sorts of trauma injuries are common in calves that underwent a difficult calving?

Answer 17

soft tissue trauma to lower limbs
limb of pelvis fracture
rib fractures

Question 18

what are signs that a calf is born premature?

Answer 18

fine hair coat, central incisors not erupted, labored breathing or frothing (not enough surfactant)

Question 19

true or false: newborn calves should have pink mucus membranes right as theyre born

Answer 19

false! normally start somewhat blue, then turn pink in 30 seconds

Question 20

list 3 calf vigour assessment tests for beef cows

Answer 20

suckle reflex
tongue withdrawal
mucous membrane color

Question 21

what is a normal HR in newborn calves?

Answer 21

starts around 150 and can increase to 200, then should slow to 80-120

Question 22

what is normal RR in newborn calves?

Answer 22

start out by gasping, around 60bpm, then slows within an hour to 24-36

Question 23

what is the most crucial way neonates are warmed

Answer 23

colostrum!

Question 24

when should you consider warming a calf?

Answer 24

if a calf’s temp goes below 38 degrees, if the ambient temperature is cold/wet/windy, if the calf is wet, if the calving was difficult

Question 25

list some methods to warm a calf

Answer 25

warm from the inside with heated colostrum
dry them off if wet
warming boxes
submersion in warm water bath

Question 26

what is one thing to remember about warming boxes?

Answer 26

newborns can get infected with scour agents if the boxes if they are not cleaned! need strict biosecurity measures