Pre-partum conditions and approach to normal calving Flashcards
When are vaginal prolapses most commonly seen?
last trimester of calving
Describe the grading system of vaginal prolapse
- Intermittent only when cow lying down, vaginal tissue fine
- Continuous prolapse, urinary bladder might be trapped
- Continuous prolapse, urinary bladder trapped, tissue starts to be compromised
- As above but include cervix, tissue infected, necrotic and sepsis/peritonitis possible
How do you perform an epidural for vaginal prolapse?
- clip and surgical scrub over tail head
- manipulate tail- junction between last stationary vertebrae and first moving (S5-C1)
- 18g x 1.5inch needle at 90 degree angle
- hanging drop
- xylazine 0.05mg/kg
How is a vaginal prolapse replaced?
epidural assess viability of tissue clean and lube buhners stitch around vulva with uterine tape= easy knot Needle goes up bottom throught subcut tissue to top with no string in it. Thread the string at top and bring back down.
Describe hydrops (hydrallantois/hydramnios)
Accumulation of fluid in the allantoic sac
Associated with placental disease
3rd trimester, acute
Distended abdomen, down, prepubic tendon rupture
Rectal- no placentomes, uterus everywhere
Treatment= steroids, c section, PGF 2 alpha
Poor prognosis, most are culled
If calf comes out no need to cull cow
Gestation period of a cow?
280 days
Early embryonic death?
0-17 days
Late embryonic death?
17-42 days
Abortion/foetal death?
42-270 days
blood and foetus present
What are the common infectious causes of abortion in cows?
bacilus licheniformis
truperella pyogenes
salmonella dublin
Describe the normal process of calving
Stage One:
- 0-24hrs
- uterine contractions, behavioural changes, tail head raises up and swishing tail
Stage Two:
- 30 mins-4hrs
- water bag appears (marks start)
- abdominal contractions
- feet, some progress every 20 mins
- calf horn (should be within 1.5hrs of water bag)
What should be considered when taking a history during a calving?
- how long has she been calving?
- straining?
- age of cow?
- what stage is she at?
- when was she due?
- dead or alive calf?
- high value animal?
- have you had hand in yet?
- any problems in past?- twins, c section
- any traction applied?
When should you worry after taking a history?
- feet there for more than 2hrs and no progress
- cow actively straining and no progress after 30 mins
- excessive bleeding
- bad smell
- sick cow
- placenta before calf
- over due>14 days
- experienced farmer already tried
What questions should you ask yourself during a calving?
- is she calving?
- cervix open or closed?
- what have i got? tail? legs?
- is calf dead or alive?
- if dead? how much
- can I deliver this calf per vagina or is it too big?
Where should leg and head ropes be placed?
above metacarpal phalangeal joint from ventral aspect of leg
head rope behind ears
How can you tell if the calf is too big?
feet crossing
no progress
feet rotating in wards
should be okay if:
- head comes into canal itself and stays there without being pulled
- hand passes over head and shoulders when calf in pelvis
- feet out 10cm beyond cow
-
What are the clues a calf is too big?
big feet legs crossed over head at same level as hoofs hand cant fit between shoulders/ head and pelvis cow knuckles hind limbs on traction
When would a C section be decided?
shoulders in but not through the pelvis
lips of vulva just on bridge of calves nose
Describe normal calving presentation
- stretch vulva/cervix
- attach rope and calving aid/pully
- LUBE
- apply traction side to side and downwards
- should progress
What should be done if the calf’s head is facing backwards during calving?
Push body back in via brisket
Grasp mandible/head rope/eye hook
Head rope often needed to line up in pelvis (often big calf)
What should be done if only the calf’s head is moving?
Push head back in
If dead calf- cut head off
Pull legs up and into canal, cusp bottom of hoof- if alive
What should be done if only one head and leg coming out?
Push back
Pull other legs up
What should be done if calf is backwards?
Warn of worse prognosis for a viable calf
Fully extend legs
Rotate slightly
Traction upwards initially if possible
When hocks visible = calf hips in cows pelvis
= point of no return
Horizontal traction
When hips visible, downwards traction (and fast, 1-2 mins)
(Hips = widest point, if they come out the rest will follow)
What should be done if the calf is breach?
Push back Grab hock and pull toward vagina (rope) Cup back foot and extend leg out vagina Push hock cranial/dorsal while pull foot out ?2 arms Repeat for other leg (difficult)
