Pre-Partum Conditions & Normal Calving Flashcards
what are the risk factors for vaginal prolapse
Breed (Hereford)
Fat
BCS (fat)
Lax sacrotuberous ligaments/vulva
Previous perineal trauma (estrogenic pastures)
is vaginal prolapse repeatable
yes
cull
is vaginal prolapse more common in cattle or sheep
sheep with multiple fetuses
when are vaginal prolapses seen
last trimester
what grading system is used for vaginal prolapse
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
how do you fix a vaginal prolapse
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
how is a caudal epidural done
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)
what is the hanging drop
what are local anesthetics licensed in farm animals
what is a hydrops (hydrallantois/hydramnios)
Increased production/accumulation fluid
what is hydrallantois and when is it commonly seen
allantoic sac (outside)
associated with placental disase
3rd trimester, acute
what is the appearance of hydrallantois
Distended abdomen +/- systemic signs, down, prepubic tendon rupture
what would be felt on rectal with a hydrallantois
Rectal — no placentomes, uterus everywhere (US — need normal cow)
what is the treatment for hydrallantois
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
what is the prognosis of hydrallantois
poor
cull as can recur
what is hydramnois
amnionic sac
fetus often dead, chronic
feel placentomes
no reason to cull cow
describe the fetal membranes and which are affected in hydrops
what is early embryonic death
0-17 days
what is late embryonic death
17-42 days
what is abortion/fetal death
42-270 days
what is still born
born dead after 270 days of gestation
what is neonatal death
born alive
death 0-2 days after calving
what is perinatal mortality
death 270 days to 2 days post calving
what should you do with bovine abortions
report all to APHA
when can milk fever occur
pre or post calving
describe the 1st stage of labour
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
describe the 2nd stage of labour
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
describe the 3rd stage of labour
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
what are history questions to ask when getting a call about calving
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)
what are indicators of issues in calving
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
what questions should you ask yourself when examining a calving
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
if the cow is calving and the cervix is open feel what you have –> which could be what
1 leg
2 legs
3 legs
Tail
Head
Intestine
Placenta
Nothing
Something??
how do you tell whether you are feeling a front or back leg
front legs = the carpus and fetlock bend in the same direction
back legs = hock and fetlock bend in opposite directions
how do you tell whether it is a front or back leg coming out
front: dorsal aspect of hoof visible
back: ventral aspect of hoof visible
but calf could be upside down
how do you determine if calf is alive or dead
pinch toe
gag reflex
eye poke
anal reflex
if the calf is dead how to you determine the extent
smell
emphysema
disintegration
how do you determine if the calf is too big
don’t use calving jack
Feet crossing, feet rotating inwards, no progress (water bag delayed)
if the calf is going to be able to be delivered vaginally what are good signs
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
describe a flow chart to determine if the calf can be determined vaginally or if a c section is needed
what is the point of no return
shoulders in pelvis but not through the pevlis
how do you calve a calf in the normal presentation
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
how do you use the calving jack
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
how do you calve a head back malposition
Push body back in via brisket
Grasp mandible/head rope/eye hook
Head rope often needed to line up in pelvis (often big calf)
how do you calve head only malposition
push head back in (swollen)
Note if dead — cut off
Pull legs up and into canal
Cusp bottom of hoof
how do you calve head and 1 leg only
Don’t be tempted to pull
Treat as head only
Push back
Pull other leg up
often sign too big
how do you calve a backwards presentation
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
how do you calve a breach position
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)
how can clenbuterol help you
Relaxes uterus (beta 2 agonist)
Gives space for correcting malpresentation (pushing back)
C-section — delays involution, stitching easier
Delays calving
how can oxytocin help you
Stimulates uterine contractions
Reverses clenbuterol
RFM within first few hours
Post calving hemorrhage
Milk let down
what should you check for once you get the calf out
twins and tears
