Calving (parturition) 10/24&26

Parturition - the process of giving birth
3 stages - Preparatory, Birthing, Placenta

Some signs of impending parturition
Distended stomach
Mammary (udders) begin to fill with milk

Anorexia

Swollen Vulva
Restlessness
Separation from the herd

Stage 1 - Dilation of the cervix begins, Rhythmic uterine contractions, the calf will rotate to the upright position, then the water sac is expelled.

Stage 2 begins with increased rate of contractions with abdominal pressing. the calf and placentas are pushed through the vagina. The proper presentation of the calf is forelegs first with the nose resting on the legs. 

Most cows calve at night (mostly to piss us off when we spend hours looking for them in zero degree weather) due to the inherited instinct that they can hide the newborns from predators better at night. One way to influence the calving time to better suit us is the Konafel Method

Feed from 11-noon and 930-11pm to cause cows to calve during the day. start about 1 month ahead of first due date. this method varies from 10% effectiveness to 80% effectiveness.

To induce a cow into labor - do not do before last 7-14 days of the gestation period.

use Dexamethasone- calving will occur in approx. 48 hours. 20-50mg/IM

Inducing causes a high incidence of retained placentas and lowers post partum fertility.

Azium mixed with 25mg of Lut will also induce a cow in 35 hours.

Induce sheep with 8-20 mg of Dex , 24-72 hours, no retained placenta.

Birthing times for cattle (normal)

heifers - 1-3 hours post water sac

cows 1-2 hours post water sac

Stage 3 - Placenta expulsion- The uterine contractions push the placenta out usually within 12 hours in cattle nd 8 - 24 hours in ewes.

Dystocia/Calving problems

Causes : High birth weights and most importantly calf shape (broad shouldered, big boned)

Presentation problems (breech, head back, legs tucked)

or Multiple Births.

10% in cows and a higher rate in heifers

Factors affecting calf size - High levels of feed and protein intake by the cow, selection of growth rate in the sire leads to a high correlation with birth weights. The breed of the dam and sire are also factors. The sire determines the gestation length usually. Age of dam, heifers average 8lb lighter calves. and finally, the size of the pelvic opening.  

The King Of Dystocia

Heat Wave

After a delay in delivery, you should conduct a pelvic examination while wearing an OB sleeve.

Determine the position of the fetus

Examine size of the calf relative to the birth canal

Then attach a pulling device (I prefer a soft rope, but most use chains)

Cesarian Section - Occurs when the calf is simply to big to go through the birth canal or is in an unmanipulative position. First the area is shaved and sanitized then anesthesia is administered 

Fetalectomy - Surgical extraction through the vagina, if the calf is too large and already dead (this is where the calve is cutup inside and pulled out, piece by piece)

Retained Placenta - failure to expel placenta, wait 48 hours then give injectible antibiotics with a uterine bolus. If placenta doesn't come out, you can pull it out, but be gentle.

Uterine Prolapse 

the uterus comes out thought the vagina, inverted. caused by a difficult birth and too much traction, subclinical milk fever and should be treated as an emergency .

Newborn calf care - look for normal respiration, free airway of mucus and phlegm. roll the calf onto sternum as this allows the calf to breathe easier. Dry and rub the calf vigorously to stimulate circulation. Dip the naval in Iodine to prevent a disease called naval ill.

Monitor colostrum intake - colostrum is the first milk the calf gets from the mother, it contains all the antibodies and nutrients to kickstart the calfs immune system. Studies show that calves who never get colostrum do poorly through life. after 24 hours, gut closure occurs and the immunglobins can't be absorbed. this is crucial. calves should receive 10% of their body weight in colostrum milk in first 24 hours.