CALVING
Calving, or parturition, is defined as the birth of a calf followed by the expulsion of the afterbirth (placenta). In the normal birth position, the fetus rests on its abdomen with its forefeet directed toward the uterine opening (the cervix) and its head resting between the forefeet (Figure 2). Abnormal presentation of the calf occurs once in about 20 calvings (5%).
Signs of Calving
Signs of imminent calving include:
• Enlargement of the udder (with potential problems of edema);
• Relaxation of the pelvic ligaments;
• Discharge of the liquefied mucous plug that sealed the uterus.
Stages of Calving
Stage 1: Dilation of the Cervix
In general, this stage lasts from two to three hours in mature cows and four to six hours in heifers. During this stage, the cervix dilates because of the release of a hormone (oxytocin) and the pressure of the “water bag” against it. Thus early breakage of the “water bag” may delay the normal dilation of the cervix.
Stage 2: Delivery of the Calf
The second stage is characterized by the progression of the calf through the birth canal and its expulsion. At this stage, the calf may still be enclosed in the second “water bag” (amniotic fluid). After the head has passed through the birth canal, the rest of the body usually demands little extra effort to be expelled. This stage may last from two to 10 hours. A common mistake is to attempt to assist by pulling on the forelegs of the calf unnecessaily or too early.
Stage 3: Expulsion of the Placenta
During the third stage, the placenta or afterbirth is expelled from the uterus. After the delivery of the calf, uterine contractions continue for a period of time. These contractions help to break down the cotyledons by separating the placenta from the uterine caruncles (Figure 1). Normally, the afterbirth should be expelled within 12 hours of birth.
DEALING WITH A DIFFICULT CALVING
Experience and judgment are needed to decide when to assist a calving. After one or two hours of intense pushing, the forefeet of the calf should appear. If there are signs of distress, assistance should be provided. It is very important to wash and disinfect hands, arms, the cow’s vulva and all equipment used during assistance. The position of the calf must be checked first and, if necessary, corrected before using traction. Traction should be applied as the cow pushes.
AFTER CALVING
A process called uterine involution begins immediately after calving. The uterus shrinks in size considerably and layers of tissue must be renewed. Although ovarian activity may lead to ovulation as early as 15 days after calving, this is usually not accompanied by heat (silent heat), and the first few cycles may be of short duration. However, more than 90% of cows should have been observed in heat at least once within 60 days of calving.
POST-CALVING COMPLICATIONS
Retained Placenta
Retained placenta occurs in about 5 to 10% of otherwise normal calvings. The frequency of retained placenta increases with premature or difficult calvings, and also in the case of bacterial infections. The placenta should NOT be removed manually because of possible injury to the uterus and risk of permanent sterility. Efforts should focus on trying to avoid infections and stimulate uterine contractions (treatment with estrogen is sometimes successful). Prevention of retained placenta should be an active part of reproductive management because it is often followed by other complications. Prevention includes proper sanitation during calving and proper nutrition during the dry period.
Metritis
Metritis is an inflammation of the uterus most often due to an invasion of microorganisms. Metritis can frequently be diagnosed by a purulent vaginal discharge. A difficult calving or retained placenta increase the risk of metritis. Unless metritis is severe, cows usually recover without any treatment in several weeks. In severe cases, the veterinarian may evacuate fluids from the uterus by rectal palpation followed by an infusion of the uterus with an antibiotic solution.
When antibiotics are used, the milk has to be discarded, usually for a period of three or four days. An alternative treatment is to induce a heat using the hormone prostaglandin. During heat, uterine contractions help to clear the infection and minimize the need for antibiotics.
Pyometra
As in metritis, this problem involves an infection of the uterus. However, in the case of pyometra, the cervix is closed, preventing drainage of the infectious material from the uterus. The uterus fills up with pus and the cow does not come in heat. The damage caused by pyometra may lead to permanent sterility.
CALVING GUIDELINES
Good management practices are very effective at minimizing the stress at calving and calf mortality. Managing a dairy herd with an aim to minimize difficult calving is essential to a successful operation and requires the control of many factors
- Proper feeding: Proper feeding of heifers is important because they should not be inseminated until they have reached proper body weight. Cows should not be overfed during the last part of lactation or the dry period because overconditioning(obesity) increases the risk of difficult calving.
- Use a maternity pen: A maternity pen should be reserved for about every eight cows in a herd. Thus a 40- to 50- cow herd should have six or seven individual maternity pens in which cows can move freely during calving. The pen should be dry, well ventilated and thoroughly cleaned after each calving.
- Be patient but ready to call for veterinary assistance when trouble occurs: Look for the early signs of calving and observe the progression of the calving. Give the cow adequate time to prepare herself for delivery; after one to two hours of intense pushing, the forefeet of the calf should appear. If there are no signs of progress and the cow begins to show signs of distress, check the position of the calf. If you are unable to determine the position of the calf or you are not sure of how to correct the problem, call for veterinary assistance immediately.
- If the decision to assist the calving is made, use strict sanitary conditions: When examining a cow, use strict sanitary procedures to minimize the risk of infection.
- Provide good care to the newborn calf: Clear the nostrils of mucus and make sure the calf is breathing. Tickling the inside of the nostril with a finger is usually sufficient to initiate breathing. If the lungs are obstructed by a large amount of mucus, the fluids may be cleared by holding the calf by the hind legs for a short period of time. Use a disinfectant to prevent infection of the umbilical region. Feed colostrum within a few hours after birth to help the calf gain immunity against infectious diseases.
