Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM


Top Flashcards (Certified)
All Flashcards

Farm Animal Reproduction > Calving And Dystocia > Flashcards

Calving And Dystocia Flashcards

(55 cards)

Start Studying
1
Q

Describe stage 1 labour.

A

Dilation of the cervix (3-6h)

  • separates herself, appetite drops, restless
  • thick string of mucous hanging down from vulva
  • towards the end this abdominal straining every 2-3 minutes
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

Describe stage 2 labour.

A

Expulsion of the calf

  • first the waterbag appears, then pops
  • strong abdominal contractions push the calf out
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

Describe stage 3 labour.

A

Expulsion of the placenta
Usually within a couple of hours
Retained if still present after 12 h

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

What makes the ideal calving pen?

A

12 x 12ft
Easy to clean out
Cow is alone
Quick release headlock

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

When should you intervene during labour?

A

No progress made after the water bag has been present for 1h
No progress to 2nd stage labour after 6h - twisted uterus
Bleeding for the vulva
Extreme discomfort

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

What is the most common cause of dystocia?

A

Fetomaternal disproportion

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

What can cause dystocia?

A 
Fetomaternal disproportion
Malpresentation
Insufficient cervical dilation
Uterine torsion
Uterine inertia
Cervical prolapse
Pelvic fracture
Cervical neoplasia
Uterine rupture 
Foetal abnormalities
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

What factors predispose a dam to dystocia due to fetomaternal disproportion?

A

Large calf
Fat dam
Poorly grown dam
Dead emphysematous calf

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

What should you ask in a dystocia specific history?

A

Age, parity, breed of dam, breed of sire, previous problems
Has the water bag broken, when?
How long has she been straining?
Has the farmer attempted to relieve her?

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

What should you assess in a vaginal exam in a case of dystocia?

A 
Tears
Position of the calf
Relation and dilation of the cervix
Signs of life from the calf 
Possibility of extraction
Position of the umbilical cord
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

How can you cause uterine relaxation to provide you with more space?

A

Caudal epidural

Clenbuterol (beta 2 agonist)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

What must you consider when using obstetric traction?

A

Don’t use more than the force of 3 men
Calf pullers cause lots of damage and increase infections
Follow pelvic conformation

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

What foetal factors can increase the risk of dystocia?

A

Bull calves
Twins
Continental calves

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

What factors suggest that a calf in anterior presentation can’t be delivered per vaginum?

A

Forelimbs crossing over - insufficient space

Can’t bring the fetlocks more than a hands width outside vulva - can’t get shoulders in the pelvic canal

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

What factors suggest that a calf in posterior presentation can’t be delivered per vaginum?

A

No space between the calls tail head and cows pelvic inlet

Can’t exteriorise the hocks outside the vuvla

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

What should you always check before delivering a calf in posterior presentation?

A

That the umbilical cord is not wrapped around the hock

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

When is an episiotomy indicated?

A

Heifers
Where the cervix is fully dilated but the vulva hasn’t
Following 20min of attempting to manually dilate the vulva

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

What drugs should you use for an episiotomy?

A

Caudal epidural - procaine

Antibiotics

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

When and where should you make an episiotomy incision?

A

10-11 o’clock or 1-2 o’clock - never midline - risk of vaginorectal fistula
Make the incision when the calfs head is passing through the vagina

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
20
Q

What suture material should you use for an episiotomy?

A

Dissolvable sutures - if she tears again there are not sutures to become infected

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
21
Q

What are complications of an episiotomy?

A

Wound infection and breakdown
Rectovaginal fistula
Weak point - may reduce calving ability
Changed perineal conformation - reduced fertility

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
22
Q

What are the indications for a full fetotomy?

A

Large calf

Abnormal calf - eg schmallenberg

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
23
Q

What are the indications for a partial fetotomy?

Study These Flashcards
A

Hip locked - cut trunk, split pelvis, remove each hindquarter
Head back - cut off head
Leg back - cut off leg

24
Q

What are the two methods of placing the fetotomy wire?

Study These Flashcards
A

Passing technique - literally putting it around the limb
Eg: leg back / head back

Cleat technique - using a cleat to place the wire eg: around the scapula

25
What should you give the cow to provide analgesia and increase space in the uterus for a fetotomy?
Caudal epidural Clenbuterol NSAID Antibiotic
26
When removing a limb what should you always check?
Removed the scapula | Not swayed through the humerus - sharp, will cut the dam
27
What must you always do after performing a fetotomy?
Check for a twin Check for damage Remove foetal membranes
28
What are common complications of a fetotomy?
Uterine, vaginal and cervical tears Retained foetal membranes Metritis Adhesions
29
What are the risk factors for a uterine torsion?
``` Poor rumen fill Hilly land Space in the abdomen Standing up and lying down a lot Twins Hypermotile calf ```
30
How does a uterine torsion usually present?
At the onset of labour Cow starts to labour but does not progress No abdominal straining as the ferguson's reflex is not stimulated Occasionally a toxic cow Raised tail head
31
How can you diagnose a uterine torsion?
Vaginal examination - corkscrew felt | - most commonly anti-clockwise torsion
32
How can you correct a uterine torsion?
Swing the calf with coordinated ballotment Twist the legs of the calf and the uterus may twist too Cast and roll the cow - use a plank to apply pressure the abdomen - roll in the opposite direction to the torsion Caesarian - if unable to untwist uterus or over 360 degrees
33
What complications may be encountered with a uterine torsion?
Dead emphysematous calf - toxic | Occlusion of the blood supply to the uterus
34
What are the indications for a Caesarian?
Forced Caesarian - Fetomaternal disproportion - Complicated uterine torsion - Insufficient cervical dilation Minor indications - foetal malpresentation that can't be corrected after 20mins - abnormal calf where fetotomy not an option - dead emphysematous calf where fetotomy not an option - constricted vagina / vestibule Elective caesareans may also be performed in double muscled breeds and embryo transfer calves
35
How should you restrain a cow that is standing for a Caesarian?
Head collar tied to a gate Yolk Full access Crush - must be able to safely remove if she goes down Tie a rope to the right hindlimb and pull on it if she goes down - ensures she falls away from the incision Xylazine - only if it is unsafe to do this without, decreases foetal viability
36
How should you restrain a cow for a Caesarian performed whilst she is down?
High volume caudal epidural to cause cranial spread | Sedation - xylazine
37
What anaesthesia is best for a Caesarian?
Paravertebral nerve block - anaesthetises multiple myotomes I would still give this with an epidural as you can't guarantee how far the epidural has spread cranially
38
What pre operative medication should you provide for a Caesarian?
Clenbuterol - must give to exteriorise the uterus NSAID - eg ketoprofen, meloxicam (longer lasting) Prophylactic antibiotic - pen & strep Calcium if due to uterine inertia +/- sedation
39
What is the landmark for the left flank approach to the caesarean?
On the left hand side One hands width below the transverse processes One hands width behind the last rib Incision length from the tip of your middle finger to the point of your elbow - 40-50cm for an emphysematous calf!!
40
Where should you incise the uterus when the calf is presenting normally?
Greater curvature of the uterus | From the point of the hock to the tip of the toe
41
Where should you make your incision in the uterus if the calf is presenting in breech?
Incise the greater curvature of the uterus | Carpus to toe
42
What should you ensure before removing the calf from the uterus?
Umbilicus not torsed - this would cause premature rupture | Incision is large enough - make a controlled extension
43
What should you always ensure once you have removed the calf?
There is an assistant attending to the calf CHECK THERE IS NOT A TWIN Remove the foetal membranes Clean the uterus before replacing
44
How should the uterus be closed?
2 layer inverted suture pattern Lembert or Cushing Round bodied needle Absorbable monofilament
45
What must you always give post caesarean?
Oxytocin | Check calf over and give colostrum
46
What are common complications of Caesarean section?
Haemorrhage - off colour, pale, tachycardic - reopen and ligate Peritonitis - off colour cow, Pyrexia - reopen and flush Localised adhesions Retained foetal membranes Metritis Wound infection
47
What conditions predispose a cow to a uterine prolapse?
Hypocalcaemia Too much manual traction on the foetus during dystocia Prolonged straining Traction on RFM
48
What restraint should you use for replacing a uterine prolapse?
Down - caudal epidural with cranial spread
49
How should you replace the uterus?
Clenbuterol Clean off uterus with dilute hibiscrub and remove foetal membranes Evert the uterus whilst you replace it - fill with water or use a bottle Use lots of lubricant Place a buhner suture ALWAYS GIVE OXYTOCIN AFTERWARDS
50
What drugs should you give before replacing the uterus?
``` Clenbuterol NSAIDs - meloxicam Antibiotics - pen & strep Calcium Procaine caudal epidural ```
51
What conditions predispose a ewe to a vaginal prolapse?
High BCS Multiple foetuses Old age Lameness
52
How can you treat a vaginal prolapse?
Prolapse harness Manual replacement and purse string suture Spoons - cause vaginitis and traumatic
53
How can you judge foetal oversize?
``` Can't fit hand over the top of the calf Estimated breeding values Can't keep the foetus in the pelvis Hips stuck in the pelvis Crossed over legs Can't make a fist all the way around the calves shoulders ```
54
What anaesthesia should you provide to a cow for a Caesarian?
Caudal epidural - reduces straining 2 inch pink 18g needle Paravertebral block - blocks T13-L3 +/- L4 - use an 18g, 10cm spinal needle - put 10ml in each deep layer, 5ml in each superficial layer
55
What is the spectrum of pen & strep?
Penicillin - gram +ves eg staphs and streps | Streptomycin - gram -ves eg e.coli

Farm Animal Reproduction (7 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2025 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions