Handling Calving Difficulties

1
Handling Calving Difficulties

• This presentation is from Virginia Tech and has
  not been edited by Georgia Curriculum Office.

2
Objectives

• Define Dystocia and Parturition
• Briefly describe late gestation management
  practices
• Explain common causes of dystocia
• Describe signs of Dystocia
• Define stages of Parturition
• Describe the calving positions
• Show application of calving equipment
• Describe preparation for calving assistance
• Describe post-partum care practices.

3
What is Dystocia?

• Dystocia is calving difficulty

4
What is parturition?

• Parturition is the act of giving birth.

5
Facts and Stats of calving

• 3.5 million losses annually
• 45 of losses are from Dystocia
• 16 of losses are out of mature cows

6
Factors of Dystocia

• There are 2 factors that contribute to dystocia
• 1) Size of Calf
• 2) Age of Cow

7
Question

• What are the 3 effects of dystocia?
• Calf effect
• Cow effect
• Fetal Position

8
Effects of Dystocia

• The effects of dystocia are placed in to 3
  categories
• 1) Calf effect
• birth weight - most common
• nutrition
• shape
• 2) Cow effect
• pelvic size
• 1st calf heifer
• 3) Fetal Position
• 5 are in abnormal position
• many positions

9
Late Gestation Management

• Incorporating late gestation management practices
  into to your calving program will eliminate many
  problems that can arise.
• Some of the following practices will make your
  life easier
• Put all cows/heifers within 2 weeks of due date
  into a lot that is accessible to barn or calving
  facility.
• Make sure late gestation female receive 7-8 CP
  daily

10
Late Gestation Management, cont.

• Make sure pastures are clean - no mud or manure
  piles
• No lactating cows with calving cows
• MOST IMPORTANT- always have calving equipment and
  supplies in an accessible place. It also should
  be clean and ready to use.
• Keep a close eye on cows - maybe even around the
  clock.

11
Stages of Parturition

• Keep an eye on calving cows will help you
  recognize the stages of parturition.
• Knowing the stages will help you decided if there
  is a problem occurring.
• There are 3 stages in parturition
• 1) Preparation
• 2) Parturition
• 3) Cleaning

12
Preparation Stage

• It is in this stage when the calf will rotate
  into position
• Contractions will begin
• Water bag will be expelled and broken
• This stage generally should last between 2-6
  hours (can be longer for heifers)

13
Parturition Stage

• The calf will enter the birth canal in this stage
• The cow become very restless - she will lie down
  and stand back up many times
• Contractions are more frequent and are stronger
• If progress is being made, two feet (pads down)
  should be visible. The head will follow.

14
Parturition Stage

• Delivery will take place if there are no problems
• This is the most critical stage to watch.
• This stage should last 2 hours or less. It may
  take longer for heifers.
• If no progress is being made or there are visible
  problematic signs, or it has been over 2 hours
  then intervention should take place ASAP.

15
Cleaning Stage

• At this point the calf will be out of the cow and
  the cow should be cleaning and nursing the calf.
• The placental membranes will be expelled within 2
  to 8 hours after stage 2. If not, treatments
  should be considered.

16
Question

• How do you know when to assist a cow in the
  calving process?

17
Signs of Dystocia

• There are many tell-tell signs of dystocia.
  They are as follows
• cow actively in labor and no progress
• No progress after 2 hours
• presence of head and no feet
• Cow too relaxed calf is likely dead at this
  point
• feet protrude and go back into cow
• feet pads are facing up

18
Fetal Positions

• If the calf is visible and it is not in its
  normal delivery presentation then the calf is
  most likely in an abnormal position.
• There are many abnormal positions that the calf
  can assume before delivery. Some examples are

19
Fetal Positions

• Normal
• Posterior
• Breech
• Anterior w/ rear legs under body (dog sitting
  position)
• Up-side-down posterior
• Anterior w/ head turned back, front feet in
  position
• Anterior w/ head in place and front legs under
  calfs body.

20
Preparing for Assistance

• If any situation arises that calls for calving
  assistance, you should be prepared and act quick.
• The first step is getting the cow to the barn and
  in the chute
• Next you should clean her posterior end with a
  mixture or warm water and disinfect
• With clean, lubricated hands examine to determine
  the position and state of the calf

21
Preparing for Assistance

• Once position is determined then the chains can
  be applied while any corrections are being made.
• Continue to apply lubrication

22
Applying Equipment

• Now a practical experience awaits you

23
Applying the chains, twine, or rope

• 1) Make a loop
• 2) Place on leg just above pastern (or wrist)
  on the cannon bone
• 3) Make a half-hitch/cinch
• 4) Place on same leg just below the pastern (or
  wrist) and above dew claws.

24
Applying the chains, twine, or rope

• 5) repeat for second leg
• 6) Attach handles to chains
• 7) Pull calf with even pressure or alternate
  pressure

25
Cautions to be aware of

• Correct placement will minimize pressure and
  swelling
• Single loop will break leg
• If chains are not in correct place, joint
  separation can occur. This is permanent damage
• Incorrect placement can also cause hooves to
  break off

26
When do you call the Vet?

• Rule of thumb
• If 2 strong people cant move the calf
• If fetlock joint is 10 cm or larger
• Shoulder lock
• hip lock
• Posterior presentation with a hip lock
• Up-side-down posterior presentation
• Down cow

27
Cow-Calf Aftercare

• Calf
• Make sure calf is breathing
• Stimulate by rubbing chest and spine vigorously
• Clear mouth with finger to remove any debris
• Stick straw up calfs nostrils to initiate
  sneezing or blowing

28
Cow-Calf Aftercare

• Calf
• Hang calf up-side-down if necessary to allow
  fluids to drain
• Blow into calfs nose to stimulate air flow
• Once calf is breathing and moving allow mother to
  lick and bond with calf

29
Cow-Calf Aftercare

• Calf
• Make sure calf is able to suck mother
  independently, it needs colostrum with in first 3
  hours will die w/in 24 hours w/o colostrum.
• If cant suck mother nurse cow and tube or hand
  nurse calf
• Treat navel with 7 iodine to prevent infection
  entering the navel

30
Cow-Calf Aftercare

• Cow
• Make sure cow is moving around this will help
  preventing uterine prolapse
• Administer Penicillin or Tetracycline to prevent
  infection
• Make sure placenta is delivered, if not within 12
  hours administer a LH hormone and also continue
  antibiotic treatment.

31
Review

• The effect of Dystocia are cow, calf and fetal
• The contributing common causes are birth,
  excessive nutrition, and shape of calf
• The 3 stages of parturition are preparation,
  parturition, and cleaning
• Some of the recognizable signs of dystocia are no
  progress in stage 2 and visible signs of abnormal
  fetal position.

32
Review

• Applying chains correctly is important to calfs
  well being
• Know when to call the vet
• Dont forget the cow-calf aftercare procedures

33
Summary

• The number and severity of dystocia can be
  minimized by incorporating sound management
  decisions and practices into breeding, herd
  health and nutrition of the cow herd. No matter
  what precautions are taken some calving
  difficulties will occur. In order to minimize
  your losses the herdsman should

34
Summary

• closely observe cows during calving
• recognize when there is a problem and
• know when to assist
• have functional handling facilities
• know the technicalities of delivery
• know when to call the vet