Post by Kathy on Nov 2, 2007 21:51:03 GMT -5
Assisting the Calving Process
Dr. Alan Rathwell, DVM
MSU College of Veterinarian Medicine
Dystocia or difficult birth occurs when labor is prolonged and assistance is required for delivery.
There are no clear boundaries between dystocia and normal birth, but some guidelines based on time and progress of the delivery may help the producer in deciding when to intervene.
I have divided the calving process into two stages of labor and included some intervention techniques for each stage.
Before assisting cows and heifers during the birth process, a designated maternity area and adequate facilities are needed.
The ideal maternity area should be dry and clean (preferably pasture) and provide shade and/or cooling for cows, especially at calving. Facilities should be available so cows can be restrained for vaginal examinations and birth assistance, if needed.
These facilities should have a headlock, grooved concrete flooring and a water source. Storage space for obstetrical equipment and supplies is also useful.
Labor: Stage 1
The first stage of labor signals the beginning of delivery and is characterized by the progressive relaxation and dilation of the cervix.
Once first stage of labor begins you should check the animal visually every hour for progress.
At the end of the first stage of labor the cervix and the vagina will be a continuous canal.
Visual signs associated with the first stage of labor are more pronounced in first calf heifers and are generally associated with abdominal discomfort.
They include restlessness, shifting of the weight from one rear foot to the other, an arched back and an extended tail.
In most cases the cow or heifer will seek solitude from the rest of the herd.
Rupturing of the chorioallantois (breaking water) may be the most accurate sign of the end of the Stage 1 and the beginning of Stage 2 of labor.
The length of the first stage is usually six hours, but can take up to 12 hours for first calf heifers.
As a general rule, if a heifer has been in Stage 1 for six hours with no progression toward calving she should be checked.
Older animals should be checked if no progress has been made after four hours of Stage 1 labor.
Vaginal Examination Procedures
Thoroughly clean the vulva, anus and pin bones with soap and water.
Wash hands and arms with soap and water before the examination.
Apply obstetrical lubricants such as J-lube or use mineral oil or Vaseline when performing the vaginal exam.
Check for complete dilation of the cervix.
Check for the proper presentation of the calf.
Normal presentation is head first with the head placed on top of both front legs which are extended out in front of the calf.
To confirm that the legs are the front legs, feel the two leg joints. Both joints will bend in the same direction.
Calves can also be delivered in a normal backward position when the hind legs and tail come first.
To confirm the hind legs, again flex the two joints and in this case the two joints will bend in opposite directions.
If you are delivering calves in a backward position, once the hips have cleared the vulva the oxygen supply from the umbilical cord is reduced so delivery must proceed quickly.
The backward position without feet (breech position) is a true dystocia.
These animals usually do not progress past the first stage of labor.
Determine if the calf is oversized using the following test:
If both front shoulders and the head of the calf slip through the pelvis with traction supplied by one person the calf is deliverable.
To determine if the shoulders have slipped into the pelvis, the fetlock joint should be about one hand width outside the vulva.
Check for any evidence of uterine torsion or twist by feeling for twists in the vaginal wall. If you can not move your hand freely around the calf's feet and head during exam, then there is likely a problem.
Labor: Stage 2
The calf is delivered during stage 2 and this is characterized by strong abdominal contractions with the dam typically lying down. This stage should progress rapidly lasting one to four hours, with heifers taking longer.
During this stage you should check the animals every half-hour for progress.
If you check one time and the feet are just sticking out of the vulva then the next time (30 minutes later) the nose and head should be visible.
If you need to assist a birth, then set a time limit (30 minutes) for correcting a problem, after which you should seek professional assistance.
Further delays only put the calf at risk and may cause undo trauma to the dam.
Other signs indicating that you may need to assist in the calving process include:
The water bag has been visible for two hours and the animal is no longer straining.
Continuous straining and no progress are being made.
The dam is showing signs of fatigue or signs of heat stress.
I stress to producers that it is better to be safe than sorry. When in doubt that a problem exists, do a thorough cleaning of the cow or heifer.
Examine the animal vaginally to check for the above listed problems.
msucares.com/newsletters/dairy/1999/199909.html
Dr. Alan Rathwell, DVM
MSU College of Veterinarian Medicine
Dystocia or difficult birth occurs when labor is prolonged and assistance is required for delivery.
There are no clear boundaries between dystocia and normal birth, but some guidelines based on time and progress of the delivery may help the producer in deciding when to intervene.
I have divided the calving process into two stages of labor and included some intervention techniques for each stage.
Before assisting cows and heifers during the birth process, a designated maternity area and adequate facilities are needed.
The ideal maternity area should be dry and clean (preferably pasture) and provide shade and/or cooling for cows, especially at calving. Facilities should be available so cows can be restrained for vaginal examinations and birth assistance, if needed.
These facilities should have a headlock, grooved concrete flooring and a water source. Storage space for obstetrical equipment and supplies is also useful.
Labor: Stage 1
The first stage of labor signals the beginning of delivery and is characterized by the progressive relaxation and dilation of the cervix.
Once first stage of labor begins you should check the animal visually every hour for progress.
At the end of the first stage of labor the cervix and the vagina will be a continuous canal.
Visual signs associated with the first stage of labor are more pronounced in first calf heifers and are generally associated with abdominal discomfort.
They include restlessness, shifting of the weight from one rear foot to the other, an arched back and an extended tail.
In most cases the cow or heifer will seek solitude from the rest of the herd.
Rupturing of the chorioallantois (breaking water) may be the most accurate sign of the end of the Stage 1 and the beginning of Stage 2 of labor.
The length of the first stage is usually six hours, but can take up to 12 hours for first calf heifers.
As a general rule, if a heifer has been in Stage 1 for six hours with no progression toward calving she should be checked.
Older animals should be checked if no progress has been made after four hours of Stage 1 labor.
Vaginal Examination Procedures
Thoroughly clean the vulva, anus and pin bones with soap and water.
Wash hands and arms with soap and water before the examination.
Apply obstetrical lubricants such as J-lube or use mineral oil or Vaseline when performing the vaginal exam.
Check for complete dilation of the cervix.
Check for the proper presentation of the calf.
Normal presentation is head first with the head placed on top of both front legs which are extended out in front of the calf.
To confirm that the legs are the front legs, feel the two leg joints. Both joints will bend in the same direction.
Calves can also be delivered in a normal backward position when the hind legs and tail come first.
To confirm the hind legs, again flex the two joints and in this case the two joints will bend in opposite directions.
If you are delivering calves in a backward position, once the hips have cleared the vulva the oxygen supply from the umbilical cord is reduced so delivery must proceed quickly.
The backward position without feet (breech position) is a true dystocia.
These animals usually do not progress past the first stage of labor.
Determine if the calf is oversized using the following test:
If both front shoulders and the head of the calf slip through the pelvis with traction supplied by one person the calf is deliverable.
To determine if the shoulders have slipped into the pelvis, the fetlock joint should be about one hand width outside the vulva.
Check for any evidence of uterine torsion or twist by feeling for twists in the vaginal wall. If you can not move your hand freely around the calf's feet and head during exam, then there is likely a problem.
Labor: Stage 2
The calf is delivered during stage 2 and this is characterized by strong abdominal contractions with the dam typically lying down. This stage should progress rapidly lasting one to four hours, with heifers taking longer.
During this stage you should check the animals every half-hour for progress.
If you check one time and the feet are just sticking out of the vulva then the next time (30 minutes later) the nose and head should be visible.
If you need to assist a birth, then set a time limit (30 minutes) for correcting a problem, after which you should seek professional assistance.
Further delays only put the calf at risk and may cause undo trauma to the dam.
Other signs indicating that you may need to assist in the calving process include:
The water bag has been visible for two hours and the animal is no longer straining.
Continuous straining and no progress are being made.
The dam is showing signs of fatigue or signs of heat stress.
I stress to producers that it is better to be safe than sorry. When in doubt that a problem exists, do a thorough cleaning of the cow or heifer.
Examine the animal vaginally to check for the above listed problems.
msucares.com/newsletters/dairy/1999/199909.html