Complicated Calving and Post-Partum Conditions of Cows

M.18, W.1, L.8

List conditions of complicated calving

• twisted uterus

• cervical stenosis (ring womb)

• vulval stenosis

• dead, emphysematous, rotten calving

List ways to help diagnose twisted uterus

• classic history

  • calf doesn’t get into pelvis

• distinctive vaginal and rectal exam findings

  • broad ligaments in abnormal position

• if occurs before calving, present as ‘sick cow’ in mid-late pregnancy

describe how to correct twisted uterus (if you can feel the calf)

• roll the calf to untwist the uterus

  • hold onto calf and rock back and forward then flip it over in OPPOSITE direction of twist

  • Gyn stic

describe how to correct twisted uterus (if you CANT feel the calf)

• cast/roll cow IN DIRECTION of twist

  • cast into LEFT lateral, roll cow anticlockwise

  • vet holds onto calf

  • need momentum and 3 ppl

What should occur after correcting a twisted uterus?

• give cervix time to dilate

• if does’t work - C-section

List risk factors of twisted uterus

• cows more prone than heifers

• big calves

• male calves

• hypocalcemia

• excessive fetal movement

list prognosis of twisted uterus

• early diagnosis + rapid correction = good outcome

• prognosis declines with time, degree of torsion and systemic illness

• cow survival generally better than calf survival

when should you intervene for cervical stenosis (ring womb)

• ‘2 feet 2 hours’

• intervening earlier not always bed

• if in doubt, check her out

What is the Tx for vulval stenosis

• lube and manual stretching (20 mins)

• episiotomy

List problems you see when calving

• Schistosoma reflexus

• Ascites

• Polymelia

• Schmallenberg virus

• Dead, emphysematous (full of air), rotten calf

Define Schistosoma reflexus and Tx

• rare, fatal congenital condition

• spinal inversion, abdominal organs exposed, limb alkylosis and limbs adjacent to skull

• embryotomy or c-section

Ascites

• Px: very poor for calf

• use guarded knife to try and reach abdomen, cut open and release fluid

Polymelia

• extra limbs

  • developmental error, twin

• might be able to deliver or C-section

what is an embryotomy?

• cut animal into bits

List the indications for an embryotomy

• dead calf

• unable to calf with manipulation or traction

• hip lock / stuck at hips

• Variable levels

  • head only

  • body/hips (after hip lock)

  • full

Describe the process of a Hip Lock Embryotomy

• epidural + NSAID

• try rotation or sharp turn of cow’s flank

• traction

• 1st cut

• 2nd cut

• thread wire into embryotome or pipe

• attach wire to handles

• muscles

• once cut right through, grab 2 hind quarters + remove one at a time

Describe embryotomy post op for the cow

• nursing

• down cow management

• continued NSAID

• Broad spectrum abs

• Fluids (if not drinking)

• if nerve damage - regular moving/lifting

List post-calving conditions for calves

• resp. distress

• acidosis

• Fractures

• femoral nerve paralysis

• glossal edema

• umbilical hemorrhage

• umbilicus torn off short - possibility of hernias

*all result in impaired colostrum intake

calf resuscitation

• 1st - check umbilicus for hemorrhage

• check for respiration (resuscitate if not breathing)

• medications

  • Doxapram

  • oral stimulants (energy, minerals, caffeine)

• 7-9.5 mm ET tube plus laryngoscope

List methods for resuscitation

• ensure airway open and clear fluid

• sternal recumbency and extend neck

• water in ears, straw up nose

• rub chest

• hang over gate by back legs ONLY if fluid in lung (10 sec max)

List consequences of acidosis

Reduced:

• respiratory function

• cardiac function

• calf vigor

• suck reflux

• IgG absorption

List signs of calf acidosis

• no/reduced respiration

• no suckle reflex

• sternal recumbency (TSR) > 3 mins

• time to standing > 15-30 mins

• dull

• HYPERreflex

• scleral/conjunctival hemorrhage

List Tx for calf acidosis

• 50-100 mL 8.4% Bicarb solution slow IV

  • 35g Bicarb in 400ml saline makes 8.4%

List some general calf care

• COLOSTRUM

  • 4L in 4 hrs

• treat navel w/ iodine

• clean environment

• NSAID

List steps performed for a cow post-calving

• ALWAYS perform vaginal exam after calving

  • look for another calf, tear, bleeding, bruising

• check udder for mastitis/colostrum

• Possible medical therapy

  • NSAID

  • Broad spectrum abs

  • Oxytocin

  • Calcium

  • Oral fluids

List-post calving complications for the cow

• cow hemorrhage

• uterine prolapse

• nerve damage

• retained fetal membranes

• acute post-partum metritis

• endometritis

Describe vaginal or pudendal artery hemorrhage

• ACUTE

• die (0-6 hrs)

• may not be obvious

• epidural

• strip fat from vessel

• tricky to tie off - large clamp or pack vagina

• blood transfusion

Describe uterine hemorrhage

• CHRONIC

• oozing

• epidural and pack uterus + Buhner stitch + oxytocin

• remove after 24 hrs

• ± blood transfusion (IVFT)

why can uterine prolapse occur?

• hypocalcemia

• excessive traction/straining

• prolonged recumbency

List Qs to ask yourself before replacing when uterine prolapse has occurred

• severe hemorrhage?

• tissue viable?

• obvious tear?

• can i see GIT?

Describe how to treat uterine prolapse

• cow standing in crush or sternal recumbency w/ legs extended caudally (xylazine)

• epidural

• clean uterus and trim placenta

• assess tissue for viability

• if tear in uterus - everting stitch

• Assistance holds uterus UP, you push uterus IN

• use LUBE

• Obturator - unable to adduct sow cow does splits

• Peroneal - unable to extend fetlock so knuckle

• Sciatic - unable to rise (multiple n)

List factors affecting dystocia in cattle

• malpresentation

• uterine torsion

• calf birth weight

• twins

• calf mortality

• breed of cow/bull/calf

• cow pelvic area

• cow BCS & body weight

• gestation length

• age at calving

• calf sex

• nutrition

• season