Pre-Partum Conditions & Normal Calving

Question 1

what are the risk factors for vaginal prolapse

Answer 1

Breed (Hereford)

Fat

BCS (fat)

Lax sacrotuberous ligaments/vulva

Previous perineal trauma (estrogenic pastures)

Question 2

is vaginal prolapse repeatable

Answer 2

yes

cull

Question 3

is vaginal prolapse more common in cattle or sheep

Answer 3

sheep with multiple fetuses

Question 4

when are vaginal prolapses seen

Answer 4

last trimester

Question 5

what grading system is used for vaginal prolapse

Answer 5

Grade 1: Intermittent only when cow lying down, vaginal tissue fine

Grade 2: Continuous prolapse, urinary bladder might be trapped

Grade 3: Continuous prolapse, urinary bladder trapped, tissue starts to be compromised

Grade 4: As above but include cervix, tissue infected, necrotic and sepsis/peritonitis possible

Question 6

how do you fix a vaginal prolapse

Answer 6

caudal epidural

assess viability of tissue

clean and lubrication

replace (watch fingers – perforation risk)

buhner’s stich with uterine tape

2-3 fingers wide to pass urine

easy knot to undue

NSAID + broad spectrum antibiotics

Question 7

how is a caudal epidural done

Answer 7

Manipulate tail — junction between last stationary vertebrae and first moving (sacrococcygeal space S5-C1)

Or first coccygeal space (C1-C2)

Clip and surgical scrub site

18g x 1.5 inch needle (pink) for adult cow

Insert needle 90 degree to skin

Hanging drop OR should inject with no resistance

1ml/100kg (increasing dose means nerve affected more cranial —> down animal)

Question 8

what is the hanging drop

Answer 8

Question 9

what are local anesthetics licensed in farm animals

Answer 9

Question 10

what is a hydrops (hydrallantois/hydramnios)

Answer 10

Increased production/accumulation fluid

Question 11

what is hydrallantois and when is it commonly seen

Answer 11

allantoic sac (outside)

associated with placental disase

3rd trimester, acute

Question 12

what is the appearance of hydrallantois

Answer 12

Distended abdomen +/- systemic signs, down, prepubic tendon rupture

Question 13

what would be felt on rectal with a hydrallantois

Answer 13

Rectal — no placentomes, uterus everywhere (US — need normal cow)

Question 14

what is the treatment for hydrallantois

Answer 14

Elective C-section or induce

Steroids but if immunosuppressed might not be the best idea

PGF 2 alpha but can be unpredictable depending if progesterone is being produced by placenta

Question 15

what is the prognosis of hydrallantois

Answer 15

poor

cull as can recur

Question 16

what is hydramnois

Answer 16

amnionic sac

fetus often dead, chronic

feel placentomes

no reason to cull cow

Question 17

describe the fetal membranes and which are affected in hydrops

Answer 17

Question 18

what is early embryonic death

Answer 18

0-17 days

Question 19

what is late embryonic death

Answer 19

17-42 days

Question 20

what is abortion/fetal death

Answer 20

42-270 days

Question 21

what is still born

Answer 21

born dead after 270 days of gestation

Question 22

what is neonatal death

Answer 22

born alive

death 0-2 days after calving

Question 23

what is perinatal mortality

Answer 23

death 270 days to 2 days post calving

Question 24

what should you do with bovine abortions

Answer 24

report all to APHA

Question 25

when can milk fever occur

Answer 25

pre or post calving

Question 26

describe the 1st stage of labour

Answer 26

0-24 hours dilation of cervix progesterone block is absent and uterus sensitive to factors that increase rate and strength of contractions some behavioural changes: discomfort, tail head raises and swishing tail, increased mucus discharge etc

Question 27

describe the 2nd stage of labour

Answer 27

delivery 30min-4 hours begins with entrance of membranes and fetus into pelvic canal and ends with completed birth there is a rupture of allanto-chorion (water bag) amniotic sac appears at the vulva and ruptures at this stage powerful reflex and voluntary contractions of abdominal muscle and diaphragm (straining) occasionally the amniotic sac may not rupture (asphyxiation) **calf should be born within 1.5 hours of water bag appearing**

Question 28

describe the 3rd stage of labour

Answer 28

expulsion of fetal membranes occurs within 2-3 hours after birth of the calf considered retained if after 12 hours they have not been shed

Question 29

what are history questions to ask when getting a call about calving

Answer 29

How long has she been calving? (long time — twist dead) Has she been straining? (No —twist, calf too big) What stage is she at (clock starts properly when the feet are out, needs more time, left too long) When was she due? (overdue, big calf, not due — abortion) Any problems in the past? (individual — twins, c-section, herd — big calves) Age of cow (heifer — too small) Sire Any traction applied? (if no great, if yes and no progress —\> C-section) Is the calf dead or alive (dead — less rush, c section less likely) Is this an embryo or high value animal ($$$ c section likely) What is the demeanour of the cow (poorly — underlying issue)

Question 30

what are indicators of issues in calving

Answer 30

Before feet there — cow actively straining should be 30 mins After feet there — should be some sort of progress every 20 mins, if not, why? Excessive bleeding Bad smell Tail up nothing more (twist) (no progress to 1st to 2nd stage) Placenta before calf Experienced farmer already had a go

Question 31

what questions should you ask yourself when examining a calving

Answer 31

Is she calving? Is the cervix open or closed? Closed = feel closed cervix/calf through uterine wall Half open = ring Open = don’t feel cervix at all, straight to calf

Question 32

if the cow is calving and the cervix is open feel what you have --\> which could be what

Answer 32

1 leg 2 legs 3 legs Tail Head Intestine Placenta Nothing Something??

Question 33

how do you tell whether you are feeling a front or back leg

Answer 33

front legs = the carpus and fetlock bend in the same direction back legs = hock and fetlock bend in opposite directions

Question 34

how do you tell whether it is a front or back leg coming out

Answer 34

front: dorsal aspect of hoof visible back: ventral aspect of hoof visible but calf could be upside down

Question 35

how do you determine if calf is alive or dead

Answer 35

pinch toe gag reflex eye poke anal reflex

Question 36

if the calf is dead how to you determine the extent

Answer 36

smell emphysema disintegration

Question 37

how do you determine if the calf is too big

Answer 37

don't use calving jack ## Footnote Feet crossing, feet rotating inwards, no progress (water bag delayed)

Question 38

if the calf is going to be able to be delivered vaginally what are good signs

Answer 38

Head comes into canal itself and stays there without being pulled One person plus a push from the down brings calf into pelvis One person pulls one leg to bring shoulder into canal. Hold it there while other person pulls second leg Hand passes over head and shoulders when calf in pelvis Feet 10cm beyond cow

Question 39

describe a flow chart to determine if the calf can be determined vaginally or if a c section is needed

Answer 39

Question 40

what is the point of no return

Answer 40

shoulders in pelvis but not through the pevlis

Question 41

how do you calve a calf in the normal presentation

Answer 41

stretch vulva/cervix (worth the effort, could spend up to 20 mins) attach ropes to calving aid/pulley (head rope?) lube consider rotation ideally alternate legs until shoulders through pelvis should progres with reasonable force

Question 42

how do you use the calving jack

Answer 42

Leverage downwards from calving jack = force (think about normal calving) Apply this force when cow contracts (blood supply to calf and pelvis opens) Ratchet from calving jack = takes up strain (doesn’t do the pulling/force) Lever/ratch/rest to mimic in and out movement of natural calving Can lift calving aid up to ease pressure on calf

Question 43

how do you calve a head back malposition

Answer 43

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 44

how do you calve head only malposition

Answer 44

push head back in (swollen) ## Footnote Note if dead — cut off Pull legs up and into canal Cusp bottom of hoof

Question 45

how do you calve head and 1 leg only

Answer 45

Don’t be tempted to pull Treat as head only Push back Pull other leg up often sign too big

Question 46

how do you calve a backwards presentation

Answer 46

Warn of worse prognosis for a viable calf Fully extend legs Rotate slightly Traction upwards initially if possible When hocks visible = calf hips in cow 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 47

how do you calve a breach position

Answer 47

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

Question 48

how can clenbuterol help you

Answer 48

Relaxes uterus (beta 2 agonist) Gives space for correcting malpresentation (pushing back) C-section — delays involution, stitching easier Delays calving

Question 49

how can oxytocin help you

Answer 49

Stimulates uterine contractions Reverses clenbuterol RFM within first few hours Post calving hemorrhage Milk let down

Question 50

what should you check for once you get the calf out

Answer 50

twins and tears