Hey Doc, I think I need help with a calving.”
We often field calls like that because the birthing process for many species can be troublesome. In this article I’d like to cover some basic principles of when and how to help. Whether it’s cows, pigs, sheep, goats or others, the tactics are much the same.
Dystocia means difficult birthing; the word is derived from the Greek language and actually means difficult birth. In cattle, dystocias come in all sorts of shapes and sizes. Malpositions happen, such as breech, upside down, and head or leg reflected to name a few. And there are cervical or uterine problems such as a torsion or lack of dilation. The size of the fetus seems to impact the frequency of problems. The Holstein cow especially seems to like to challenge herself when it comes to calvings. Twins can exacerbate those issues.
Knowing when it’s time to help is difficult. General recommendations say that a springing heifer should be given two hours of time to labor before intervention – that means visible signs of straining, etc. An adult cow should only be given one hour. It’s often difficult to know when the event has started. Some may never show signs if they have an internal or metabolic problem preventing the process.
When a producer decides to check the birth process, it’s essential to be able to identify what’s going on and what’s preventing progress.
The ability to identify internal structures of the mom and to evaluate the status of the fetus is paramount. That’s where experience and training come in handy.
Follow several general principles when assisting.
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