Perinatal Calf Care

Question 1

tell me what factors lead to decreased passive immunity to a calf, which therefore leads to decreased calf health?

Answer 1

increased calving difficulty

increase O2 deprivation

Increased trauma

Decrease calf vigour

Question 2

who has more calving difficulty?

Answer 2

dairy > beef

Question 3

assisted calves are born… what? and what does this lead to?

Answer 3

born injured, O2 deprived, or both

leads to higher risk of FTPI, morbidity, mortality

Question 4

true or false: many assisted calves have subclinical trauma.

Answer 4

TRUE!!!!

Question 5

how can we tell that assisted calves have subclinicalt trauma?

Answer 5

elevated CK and AST without clinical signs

Question 6

how can we mitigate pain in cows after a difficult calving?

Answer 6

• meloxicam (0.5mg/kg IV or SQ)
• ketoprofen

Question 7

can you use flunixin meglumine in cows after dystocia?

Answer 7

nope!!!!! greater risk of retained fetal membranes (can technically use when placenta is passed, but better to just avoid)

Question 8

how can we mitigate pain in calves after a difficult calving?

Answer 8

• meloxicam (0.5 mg/kg IV or SQ)
• ketoprofen (3mg/kg IV or IM x 3days)

Question 9

all new born calves have what metabolic disturbance?

Answer 9

mixed respiratory-metabolic acidosis

the severity depends on the birth

Question 10

why do all newborn calves have a mixed respiratory-metabolic acidosis? esp ones after a dystocia

Answer 10

• umbilical cord pinches off once calf reaches a certain point in birth canal
• prolonged calving = O2 deprivation = resp acidosis
• anaerobic glycolysis during dystocia = lactatemia (metabolic acidosis)

Question 11

how do we resuscitate apneic or hypopneic newborn calves?

Answer 11

put calf in recovery position, rub vigorously all over, poke into ear/mouth/nostril, get mucus and fluid out of mouth, assisted ventilation

Question 12

poor vigour in newborns is associated with what?

Answer 12

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

Question 13

should you hang newborn calves over a gate or fence to get them to breath?

Answer 13

… no

Question 14

what parts of the newborn PE should we focus on?

Answer 14

• eponychium
• umbilicus
• joints
• palate
• hydration
• meconium staining/passing
• visual appearance
• general responsiveness
• oxygenation/perfusion
• vigor assessment
• HR
• RR
• temp

Question 15

meconium staining indicates what?

Answer 15

in-utero distress
may aspirate into lungs = aspy pneu pneu

Question 16

what is normal in terms of meconium

Answer 16

should usually pass within 24 hours of birth, generally much sooner (~3hr)

Question 17

you see a newborn calf with a swollen head and tongue. what does this indicate? how do you treat this?

Answer 17

congestion/edema associated with impaired venous return assoc w being stuck in the birth canal for prolonged time

heat and massage, leave it be, ensure colostrum consumption

Question 18

what are signs of prematurity in a newborn calf?

Answer 18

fine hair coat, lack of eruption of central incisors, laboured breathing or frothing

Question 19

tell me about normal mm color in a newborn calf.

Answer 19

may start somewhat blue, but should pink up quick (<30 seconds)

oral mucosa better than vulva mucosa for checking

CRT <2 seconds

Question 20

you have a calf with hyperaemic mm and scleral injection. what’s top on your ddx?

Answer 20

sepsis :(

Question 21

tell me the 3 calf vigour assessment tests and briefly describe them.

Answer 21

• suckle reflex (strong or weak): put 1-2 fingies into calf’s mouth, vigorous calf will latch within 10 seconds
• tongue withdrawal (complete or incomplete): pinch tongue in mouth with thumb and index finger, vigorous calf will withdraw tongue into oral cavity
• mm color (pink or abnormal): look with your eyes

Question 22

tell me about normal HR in a newborn calf.

Answer 22

starts at ~150 bpm, may increase to 200 after birth

should slow to 80-120 bpm

Question 23

if a calf has <70bpm within a few mins of birth, what should you do?

Answer 23

consider epinephrine. this is abnormal

Question 24

tell me about normal RR in a newborn calf

Answer 24

if not spontaneously breathing within 30 seconds, stimulate reflexes

starts as gasps, effort pronounced during first few mins

increase rate to 60 bpm, becoming more regular and less laboured

next hr or so, slow to 24-36bpm

Question 25

tell me about normal temperature in a new born calf

Answer 25

usually a bit warmer than dam at birth by like 1-2C

drops 38-39C in warm environment, more if cold –> quickly approaches ambient temp!!

Question 26

why are calves highly susceptible to hypothermia and hypoglycaemia? how can you manage this? and at when do you begin management?

Answer 26

high body surface area + low reserves

start mgmt @ <38C, if ambient temp cold/wet/windy, calf is wet, calving difficult

warm from inside: warmed colostrum
warm from outside: warm bath, dry them (not completely! momma’s gotta lick), warming box