Pre-partum conditions and approach to normal calving

Question 1

When are vaginal prolapses most commonly seen?

Answer 1

last trimester of calving

Question 2

Describe the grading system of vaginal prolapse

Answer 2

1. Intermittent only when cow lying down, vaginal tissue fine
2. Continuous prolapse, urinary bladder might be trapped
3. Continuous prolapse, urinary bladder trapped, tissue starts to be compromised
4. As above but include cervix, tissue infected, necrotic and sepsis/peritonitis possible

Question 3

How do you perform an epidural for vaginal prolapse?

Answer 3

• clip and surgical scrub over tail head
• manipulate tail- junction between last stationary vertebrae and first moving (S5-C1)
• 18g x 1.5inch needle at 90 degree angle
• hanging drop
• xylazine 0.05mg/kg

Question 4

How is a vaginal prolapse replaced?

Answer 4

epidural
assess viability of tissue
clean and lube
buhners stitch around vulva
with uterine tape= easy knot
Needle goes up bottom throught subcut tissue to top with no string in it. Thread the string at top and bring back down.

Question 5

Describe hydrops (hydrallantois/hydramnios)

Answer 5

Accumulation of fluid in the allantoic sac
Associated with placental disease
3rd trimester, acute
Distended abdomen, down, prepubic tendon rupture
Rectal- no placentomes, uterus everywhere
Treatment= steroids, c section, PGF 2 alpha
Poor prognosis, most are culled
If calf comes out no need to cull cow

Question 6

Gestation period of a cow?

Answer 6

280 days

Question 7

Early embryonic death?

Answer 7

0-17 days

Question 8

Late embryonic death?

Answer 8

17-42 days

Question 9

Abortion/foetal death?

Answer 9

42-270 days

blood and foetus present

Question 10

What are the common infectious causes of abortion in cows?

Answer 10

bacilus licheniformis
truperella pyogenes
salmonella dublin

Question 11

Describe the normal process of calving

Answer 11

Stage One:

• 0-24hrs
• uterine contractions, behavioural changes, tail head raises up and swishing tail

Stage Two:

• 30 mins-4hrs
• water bag appears (marks start)
• abdominal contractions
• feet, some progress every 20 mins
• calf horn (should be within 1.5hrs of water bag)

Question 12

What should be considered when taking a history during a calving?

Answer 12

• how long has she been calving?
• straining?
• age of cow?
• what stage is she at?
• when was she due?
• dead or alive calf?
• high value animal?
• have you had hand in yet?
• any problems in past?- twins, c section
• any traction applied?

Question 13

When should you worry after taking a history?

Answer 13

• feet there for more than 2hrs and no progress
• cow actively straining and no progress after 30 mins
• excessive bleeding
• bad smell
• sick cow
• placenta before calf
• over due>14 days
• experienced farmer already tried

Question 14

What questions should you ask yourself during a calving?

Answer 14

1. is she calving?
2. cervix open or closed?
3. what have i got? tail? legs?
4. is calf dead or alive?
5. if dead? how much
6. can I deliver this calf per vagina or is it too big?

Question 15

Where should leg and head ropes be placed?

Answer 15

above metacarpal phalangeal joint from ventral aspect of leg
head rope behind ears

Question 16

How can you tell if the calf is too big?

Answer 16

feet crossing
no progress
feet rotating in wards

should be okay if:
- head comes into canal itself and stays there without being pulled
- hand passes over head and shoulders when calf in pelvis
- feet out 10cm beyond cow
-

Question 17

What are the clues a calf is too big?

Answer 17

big feet
legs crossed over
head at same level as hoofs
hand cant fit between shoulders/ head and pelvis 
cow knuckles hind limbs on traction

Question 18

When would a C section be decided?

Answer 18

shoulders in but not through the pelvis

lips of vulva just on bridge of calves nose

Question 19

Describe normal calving presentation

Answer 19

• stretch vulva/cervix
• attach rope and calving aid/pully
• LUBE
• apply traction side to side and downwards
• should progress

Question 20

What should be done if the calf’s head is facing backwards during calving?

Answer 20

Push body back in via brisket
Grasp mandible/head rope/eye hook
Head rope often needed to line up in pelvis (often big calf)

Question 21

What should be done if only the calf’s head is moving?

Answer 21

Push head back in
If dead calf- cut head off
Pull legs up and into canal, cusp bottom of hoof- if alive

Question 22

What should be done if only one head and leg coming out?

Answer 22

Push back

Pull other legs up

Question 23

What should be done if calf is backwards?

Answer 23

Warn of worse prognosis for a viable calf
Fully extend legs
Rotate slightly
Traction upwards initially if possible
When hocks visible = calf hips in cows pelvis
= point of no return
Horizontal traction
When hips visible, downwards traction (and fast, 1-2 mins)
(Hips = widest point, if they come out the rest will follow)

Question 24

What should be done if the calf is breach?

Answer 24

Push back
Grab hock and pull toward vagina (rope)
Cup back foot and extend leg out vagina
Push hock cranial/dorsal while pull foot out ?2 arms
Repeat for other leg (difficult)

Question 25

Name the drugs used to help during calving

Answer 25

LA epidural (no adrenaline ideally)

clenouterole
oxytocin