Quiz 1 Flashcards
Supplies needed for calving prep
Bucket/soap/ paper towels Sleeve and lube Chain and handles/ calf puller Iodine Esophageal feeding bag Syringes needles, antibiotics,electrolytes Oxytocin Milk replacer/ colostrum replacer
Facility needs for calving
Head chute
Halter
Gates for isolating
Ear tagger
First stage of parturition
Preparation stage
Cow hormones changing, calf needs to be positioned correctly
Estradiol and oxytocin involved in cervix dilation
Mild uterine contractions and cervix and fully dilated
Observable signs of first stage
Not very hungry
By itself
Restless
Vulva swollen and pink
Second stage of parturition
Action stage Stimulated by estrogen and oxytocin Abdominal contractions visible Tip of hoof, white membrane visible Delivery of fetus
Allantochorion
Membrane that holds fetus waste products, delivery soon after fetus is born
Stage 2
Very short period of time 30 min-2 hours , first calf heifers take longer
Mucus plug that prevents microbes starts to solubize
Third stage of parturition
Uterine contractions decrease
-influenced by oxytocin
Detaching of placenta
May be 1-12 hours
Factors affecting Dystocia
Age of dam (most important) Calf body size/ weight (most difficulty due to) Dam genetics, body size and pelvic area Nutrition of dam/ body condition Position of calf (less than 5%)
Normal gestation
285 days
When delivery needs assistance
Know normal behavior so know when it’s changing
If water bag visible for over 30 min
If in labor for several hours and fatigued
If calf head or tongue is swollen
How long to wait
Give self enough time to figure out and vet to figure out
30 min window to solve
Viability of Calf
Hold leg, should withdrawal
If head there, stick finger back to tongue, should suckle
Blink reflex of eye is visible
When pulling out
Arch calf down
Normal presentation
Tips of feet pointing up, if backward tips of feet are pointing down
Head tucked between two front legs
Behavior of cow and calf
Hormones initiate and drive maternal behavior and cause to be receptive toward cow
Stimuli affect maternal behavior
Oxytocin is key for initiating maternal behavior
-facilitates memory and recognition
C section affects
Not as intense maternal behavior
Initial birth kept in memory
Not as much oxytocin released due to less contraction
If some tranquilizers used, may not release oxytocin
Postparturient behavior
Smell helps cow identify calf as her own, sac could stimulate
Make sure cow can see and hear calf if she is still laying down
Calf behavior
Nudging at calf stimulates calf
Finding test helps it remember, programs to this
Should be standing
Managing newborn calf
Make sure it is dry and warm, calf has limited energy stored so will use at a faster rate
Dip naval in iodine
Make sure calf has nursed
Ear tag
Post calving management-death of calf
Most common death from scours/ disease
Injury
Vaccinate viral pneumonia
Color of stool
White = bacteria issue Yellow= nutritional issue
Treating Scours
Supplement electrolytes to keep hydrated, isolate with mom
Oral antibotics
Prevent scours
Clean environment
Colostrum
Adequate nutrition
Vaccinate cow before birth
Treating pneumonia
Isolate
Temp calf, will be elevated
Check respiration
Give antibiotics
Prevent pneumonia
Ventilation is most important, helps knock out pathogens and compounds in manure
Appropriate nutrition so immunity can be built
Can treat cow, calf will get from colostrum
