Transcript Dystocia - Infovets

B116 Calving
Stage 1 Labor:



Visible signs of early labor may or may not be seen in mature
cows. First calf heifers are more likely to show signs such as
wanting isolation, discomfort, uneasiness, kicking, and wringing
the tail. There may also be some vaginal discharge and obvious
uterine contractions.
This stage lasts 2-6 hours and may be longer in heifers.
Stage 1 ends with the fetal parts entering the birth canal.
Infovets Educational Resources – www.infovets.com – Slide 2
Stage 2 Labor:



Visible signs of second stage labor include appearance of the
water sac and evidence of a foot or leg.
This stage lasts from ½ to 4 hours.
Stage 2 ends with the birth of the calf.
Infovets Educational Resources – www.infovets.com – Slide 3
Stage 3 Labor:

This stage is where the placenta or fetal membranes are passed.
Infovets Educational Resources – www.infovets.com – Slide 4
When to Give Assistance:


If an animal is in stage 1 of labor for longer than 8 hours.
If in stage 2, any of the following occurs:

The cow has been straining for 30 minutes with no progress.

The water sac is observed for longer than 1 hour and the
animal is not trying to push.

The animal is showing signs of severe distress or fatigue,
including bleeding from the rectum of the cow or a swollen
tongue of the calf.
Infovets Educational Resources – www.infovets.com – Slide 5
When to Give Assistance:


It can visually be determined that the calf is coming in an
abnormal way (three or more of the calves body parts are seen:
feet, the tail, etc.).
If in stage 3, the fetal membranes and placenta have not passed
within 12 hours after delivery.
Infovets Educational Resources – www.infovets.com – Slide 6
Intervention:

Once it has been determined that an animal is having difficulty, the
following steps should be taken:
 Clean the vulva, anus, and surrounding areas with soapy water,
removing all dirt and manure.
Infovets Educational Resources – www.infovets.com – Slide 7
Intervention:

Determine the presentation, position, and posture of the fetus.
 Presentation - This refers to whether the calf is coming head
first, backwards or sideways.
 Position - This refers to whether the calf is right-side up or
upside-down.
 Posture - This refers to where the calf’s legs are in relation
to its body
Infovets Educational Resources – www.infovets.com – Slide 8
Intervention:

The normal
presentation,
position, and posture
is a calf coming head
first, right-side up,
with the front legs
and head coming
through the birth
canal.
Infovets Educational Resources – www.infovets.com – Slide 9
Front & Hind Legs:



It should be determined if the front or hind legs are coming through
the birth canal.
This is done by understanding that the joints on the front limbs flex
in the same direction. The joints on the hind limb, however, flex
opposite of each other.
In the case of twins, any combination of front and hind limbs may
be present.
Infovets Educational Resources – www.infovets.com – Slide 10
Determine If the Calf Is Alive:


One of the criteria for making a plan of action involves
determining if the calf is alive or dead.
This is done by:
 Pinching between the toes and having the calf pull away.
 Placing a finger in the mouth and feeling the calf suckle.
 Gently poking the eye - the calf usually moves its head.
 Checking rectal tone by placing a finger in the rectum - the
tissue around the finger should contract.
Infovets Educational Resources – www.infovets.com – Slide 11
Removal of a Dead Calf:




A dead calf may be more easily removed by having a veterinarian
perform a fetotomy. This method may also be safer for the cow.
A dead calf, if not removed within hours, will severely
compromise the health of the mother.
Severely swollen, fluid filled calves usually require professional
help to remove.
A weak, yet live calf, needs fast removal. This may mean a
Cesarean section.
Infovets Educational Resources – www.infovets.com – Slide 12
When to Get Help:

Immediately seek professional help if any of the following arise:

No progress is made with 30 minutes of skilled effort to
correct the problem.

After a few attempts, the exact presentation, position, and
posture cannot be determined.

The calf is dead, swollen and/or dry, with the uterus
contracted around the body of the calf.
Infovets Educational Resources – www.infovets.com – Slide 13
Routine Deliveries:



Clean the vulva and surrounding area and use a lubricant
(mineral oil).
Use sleeves and equipment soaked in soapy water or some other
disinfectant.
Chains or straps should be placed on both front legs with one
loop of the chain/strap above the first joint (fetlock) and a half
hitch between the fetlock and the hoof.
Infovets Educational Resources – www.infovets.com – Slide 14
Routine Deliveries:




If the cow is down, traction should first be placed on the calf’s
lower limb (if the cow is standing, place traction on either limb).
The shoulder of this limb should be pulled through the birth canal.
Oftentimes it is possible to feel the shoulder come through the birth
canal or note that the first joint (fetlock) is about one hand width
outside of the vulva.
Traction should then be placed on the opposite leg and the shoulder
pulled through the birth canal. If the second shoulder cannot be
pulled into the birth canal, a cesarean section may be necessary.
Infovets Educational Resources – www.infovets.com – Slide 15
Routine Deliveries:


Once both shoulders are through the canal, pressure can be placed
on both limbs and the calf pulled until the chest is outside of the
cow’s pelvis. Frequently, this is where the umbilical cord is
compressed and the calf struggles to breathe. The cow often takes a
break at this point.
If the calf is fairly large, it should be rotated 45-90 degrees,
allowing the widest part of the calf (the hips from side-to-side) to
pass more readily through the widest part of the mother’s pelvis.
Infovets Educational Resources – www.infovets.com – Slide 16
Routine Deliveries:
Widest Portion
Infovets Educational Resources – www.infovets.com – Slide 17
Routine Deliveries:


Rotation of the calf is accomplished by crossing the legs and
applying pressure to the upper limb and body while rotating.
When pulling the front legs and head, the pressure should come
from directly behind the cow in a slightly downward direction. If
the calf has been rotated to pass through the pelvis, the pressure
should be applied in a slightly upward direction toward the tail of
the mother.
Infovets Educational Resources – www.infovets.com – Slide 18
Delivery of a Calf That Is Coming Backward:




Because the head of the calf is immersed in fluids during the
delivery, the calf must be delivered quickly to avoid suffocation.
The calf should be rotated 45-90 degrees before attempting to
remove it.
Traction should be applied from directly behind the cow in a
slightly upward direction (towards the tail of the mother) until
the calf’s hips are removed.
At this point, the calf can be rotated back to normal and removed
routinely.
Infovets Educational Resources – www.infovets.com – Slide 19
Delivery of a Calf That Is Coming Backward:
Infovets Educational Resources – www.infovets.com – Slide 20
Abnormal Presentations,
Positions, and Postures:



Extreme traction from more than two people pulling on each leg or
improper use of a calf puller may cause severe damage and even
death to calf and mother.
All traction placed on the calf should coincide with the mother
having a contraction and pushing.
If manipulations need to be performed, it is very beneficial to have
a spinal block (epidural) administered. Consult a veterinarian for
specifics.
Infovets Educational Resources – www.infovets.com – Slide 21
Normal Presentation and Position, Except
One or Both Front Legs Are Retained:
Infovets Educational Resources – www.infovets.com – Slide 22
Front Legs Are Retained:


With one hand, try to cup the end of the hoof on the leg(s) that is
retained. This will protect the uterus and allow the limb to be
pulled towards the pelvis. Sometimes a chain can be placed on
the retained limb for extra control.
If more space is required, one hand can be placed on the chest or
head of the calf. Then while pushing the calf back into the
pelvis, the other hand can be used to cup and pull the retained
limb into the pelvis.
Infovets Educational Resources – www.infovets.com – Slide 23
Two Front Legs Are Coming Through the
Pelvis, but the Head Is Turned Back:
Infovets Educational Resources – www.infovets.com – Slide 24
Head Is Turned Back:



The head can be turned to either side, straight behind or even
down between the legs.
A calf in this position is often dead or very weak.
Once the position of the head is identified, the head should be
grasped. Oftentimes, gently placing your fingers in the eye
sockets or mouth will help give some control. The head can then
be gently manipulated into the proper position.

For extra control, a head snare or a loop of sterilized rope can
be attached to the calf’s mouth and around the pole of its
head.

It may also be necessary to push the calf’s body back into the
uterus with one hand while positioning the head with the
other. This allows that little bit of extra room that is often
necessary.
Infovets Educational Resources – www.infovets.com – Slide 25
Normal Presentation,
but Upside Down and Leg(s) Retained:
Infovets Educational Resources – www.infovets.com – Slide 26
Upside Down:




Both front legs should be identified and pulled out of the vagina
using the techniques found in the previous pages.
Once the legs are accessible, the calf is rotated to normal position
by crossing the legs and placing pressure on the upper leg and
shoulders, while rotating.
The head should also be held and rotated along with the body.
Once the calf is properly positioned, it can be removed routinely.
Infovets Educational Resources – www.infovets.com – Slide 27
Backward Presentation,
Both Legs Retained (Breech):
Infovets Educational Resources – www.infovets.com – Slide 28
Breech:






First, pull the hock of one leg into a flexed position.
Then, take one hand and force that hock upwards and forward.
The other hand is used to cup the hoof of that leg and pull the foot
towards the middle of the calf and backwards.
Often it is helpful to use an arm or a sterilized toilet plunger to
push the rump of the calf back, while trying these manipulations.
The same technique is used to reposition the opposite leg.
Once both legs are exposed the calf can be delivered routinely.
Infovets Educational Resources – www.infovets.com – Slide 29
Four Legs in the Birth Canal:



Make sure the legs are all from the same calf.
If all 4 limbs are from the same calf, deliver the hind legs first.
Delivering the hind legs first will allow the head to follow
naturally (The calf in the above picture should probably be
delivered head first.).
Rotate the calf if necessary, using the information found on the
previous pages.
Infovets Educational Resources – www.infovets.com – Slide 30
Delivering Twins:



Identify the limbs associated with each calf. (Many times one
comes backward and one head first).
Try and remove the calf coming backward first, unless one calf is
definitely in front of the other.
It may be necessary to push one calf back, while removing the
other.
Infovets Educational Resources – www.infovets.com – Slide 31
Common Mistakes:



Allowing the cow to be in labor too long before giving assistance.
 Check cows often. Intervene if no progress is being made.
Trying to deliver a calf that is in an abnormal position without first
correcting the problem. Never apply traction to a calf with the head
or leg back without first correcting the problem.
Applying too much force. No more force than the equivalent of
two people manually pulling should ever be used.
Infovets Educational Resources – www.infovets.com – Slide 32
Dystocia:



Calving difficulty (dystocia) can increase calf losses, cow
mortality, and veterinary and labor costs, as well as delay return to
estrus and decrease conception rates.
While occasional dystocia is almost unavoidable, cattlemen can
minimize dystocia through proper management.
Control of both genetics and environment (nutrition) is necessary
to minimize dystocia.
Infovets Educational Resources – www.infovets.com – Slide 33
Dystocia:


Approximately 70% of the calves that are lost between birth and
weaning are born dead or die within 24 hours of birth. Most of
these losses are related to calving difficulty.
Research has shown that calves that experience difficulty being
born are about four times as likely to be born dead or die within 24
hours of birth than those born without difficulty.
Infovets Educational Resources – www.infovets.com – Slide 34
Factors That Reduce Calf
Crop Percentage FactorPercent:






1. Cows fail to become pregnant 17.4
2. Calves lost at birth 6.4
3. Calves lost birth to weaning 2.9
4. Calves lost during gestation 2.3
Total losses 28.9
Average Net calf crop percentage 71.1
Infovets Educational Resources – www.infovets.com – Slide 35
Factors Influencing Dystocia:

Many factors influence the incidence of dystocia, including:
-Age of dam
-Calf birth weight
-Dam's pelvic area
-Sex of calf
-Size of the dam
-Gestation length
-Breed and genotype of sire & dam
-Condition of dam
-Nutrition of the dam
-Shape of the calf
-Position or presentation in the uterus
-Geographic conditions
Infovets Educational Resources – www.infovets.com – Slide 36
Pelvic Area




Pelvic area has received considerable attention recently as a trait
that is related to dystocia.
Research has shown that the incidence of calving difficulty is more
than twice as high in heifers with below average pelvic areas,
compared with above average.
Table 7 describes the relationship among pelvic area of heifers,
birth weight and incidence of dystocia.
These estimates result from calculations based on data collected
from calving 600 first-calf heifers.
Infovets Educational Resources – www.infovets.com – Slide 37
Pelvic Measurements




The bottom line on pelvic area is this: females with very small
pelvises that carry large calves will experience calving difficulty
every time, no exceptions.
On the other hand, females with large pelvises that have small
calves will have very low (but probably not zero) incidence of
calving difficulty.
Since pelvic area is highly heritable (estimates average 55%),
producers who would like to reduce the incidence of dystocia in
their herds should select against small pelvises.
Producers who would like to reduce the incidence of calving
difficulty in their herds should consider pelvic measurements.
Infovets Educational Resources – www.infovets.com – Slide 38
Pelvic Measurements
Cubic centimeters of pelvic area at calving
210
Birth Wt, lb
230
250
270
290
Incidence of Dystocia, %
55
47
32
19
8
0
65
78
62
48
37
28
75
100
88
74
62
52
85
100
100
96
83
73
95
100
100
100
100
90
Infovets Educational Resources – www.infovets.com – Slide 39