The endocrine changes that occur before and during parturition in the sow, ewe and cow, and their effects (Arther’s Veterinary reproduction & Obstetrics, 2001).

Dystocia-difficult birth

Maternal Fetal

Forces (Expulsive defect)

Birth canal (Constriction)

UterineA. Inertia

B. Rupture of uterus/(ectopic pregnancy)

C. Torsion of uterus

1. Myometrium defectIntrinsic weaknessOverstretchingToxic degenerationAdiposity/Fatty infiltrationSenilityDietetic deficienciesSystemic illnessHeredity

Primary

Age

Debility

Pain

Herniation of

uterus

Ruptured

diaphragm

Perforated

trachea

(Anaesthesia)

Secondary

Inadequate pelvisImmaturity

Fracture

Breed

Diet

Development

Disease

Insufficient dilation1. Uterus Torsion

2. Cervix InrtiaHormonal imbalance

Fibrosis

3. Vagina Congenital

defectFibrosis

Neoplasm/Cysts

Cystocoele

Abscess

Prolapse

Excessive pelvic fat

4. VulvaCongenital defect

Fibrosis

Immaturity

Failure of dilation

2. Chemical deficiencyHormonesOestrogen/ProgesteroneOxytocinInorganic ions-Ca/Mg

Exhaustion of the myometrium after prolonged unsuccessful attempts

Abdominal

3. Premature birth4. Environmental disturbance

2. Faulty disposition

(a) Presentation (posterior)

transverse

simultaneous

(b) Position-ventral, lateral

(c) posture

3. Fetal death

Fetus

(oversize)

Intrinsic

1. Oversize

(a) Absolute small litter

Breed

prolonged gestation

(b) Developmental defect

duplication

ascites

anarsarca

hydrocephalusPosterior

Hock-flexion

Hip-flexion (breech)

Anterior

Limb-flexion

carpal

elbow

shoulder

Head-flexion

lateral

upward

downward

Fetal cause of dystocia

PRESENTATION It is relationship between longitudinal axis of dam with the longitudinal axis of foetus and parts present towards birth canal.what part of the calf is entering the birth canal first?

POSITIONIt is the relationship between vertebral column of foetus with the four quadrants of pelvic inlet of the dam.where is calf’s back in relation to the cow’s back?

POSTUREIt is relationship between movable appendages of foetus with its own body.where are front legs and head in relation to the trunk of the body?

Presentation, Position and Posture of Foetus

PRESENTATION : It is relationship between longitudinal axis of dam with the longitudinal axis of foetus and parts present towards birth canal

Two types

1. Longitudinal presentation (normal).

2. Transverse presentation (abnormal).

1. Longitudinal presentation: When longitudinal axis of dam is parallel to thelongitudinal axis of vertebral column of foetus, the presentation is calledlongitudinal presentation.

(a) Anterior longitudinal presentation: When foetus is in longitudinal presentation and its bothfore limbs and head are present towards birth canal

(b) Posterior longitudinal presentation: When foetus is in longitudinal presentation and posterior parts of the foetusi.e. both hind limbs are present towards birth canal

It is of two types:

Anterior longitudinal presentation Posterior longitudinal presentation

Transverse presentation: When longitudinal axis of foetus forms a right anglewith the long axis of dam in transverse plane.It is of three types:

(a) Dorso-transverse or dorsa-lumbar: When longitudinal axis of foetus forms aright angle with the long axis of dam in transverse plane and dorsum(vertebral column) of the foetus becomes convex and faces the pelvic inlet, orwhen foetus is in transverse presentation and its dorsum faces the pelvic inlet.

(b) Ventro-transverse or sterno-abdominal : When foetus is in transversepresentation and its ventral or stemo-abdominal surface faces the pelvic inlet

(c) Latero-transverse: When foetus is in transverse presentation and its lateralsurface faces the pelvic inlet

Calf in transverse presentation

Vertical presentation: When longitudinal axis of foetus forms the right angle withlong axis of dam in vertical plane.

It is of three types:(a) Ventro-vertical: When foetus is in vertical presentation and its ventral portion

i.e. sternum and abdomen faces pelvic inlet.

(b) Dorso-vertical: When foetus is in vertical presentation and its dorsum (i.e.vertebral column) faces pelvic inlet.

(c) Latero-vertical: When foetus is in vertical presentation and its lateral surfacefaces pelvic inlet.

It is the relationship between vertebral column of foetus with the four quadrants of pelvic inlet of the dam.There are eight positions in anterior presentation (see Fig. 20.5).1. Dorso-sacral.2. Dorso-pubic.3. Right dorso-sacroilial.4. Left dorso ... sacroilial.5. Right dorso-ilial.6. Left dorso-ilial.7. Right dorso-supra cotyloid.8. Left dorso-supra cotyloid.

POSITION

There are eight positions in posterior presentation

1. Lumbo-sacral

2. umbo-pubic.

3. Right lumbo-sacroilial.

4. Left lumbo-sacroilial.

5. Right lumboilial.

6. Left lumboilial.

7. Right lumbo-supra cotyloid.

8. Left lumbo-supra cotyloid.

There are six positions in transverse presentation (three each in dorsolumbar

and stemo- abdominal).

1. Cephalo-sacral.

2. Right cephalo-ilial.

3. Left cephalo-ilial.

There are two positions in vertical presentation.1. Cephalo-sacral.2. Cephalo-pubic.

It is relationship between movable appendages of foetus with its own body.

(1) Fore limb flexion :(a) Shoulder flexion : Unilateral or bilateral.(b) Knee flexion : Unilateral or bilateral.(c) Fetlock flexion : Unilateral or bilateral.

(2) Hind limb flexion :(a) Hip flexion : Unilateral or bilateral.(b) Hock flexion : Unilateral or bilateral.(c) Metatarsal flexion : Unilateral or bilateral.

(3) Flexion of head & neck:(a) Upward deviation.(b) Downward deviation.(c) Lateral deviation: Left or right.

POSTURE

Backward Presentation( Breech Posture)

Deviation of the headUpside down position of the calf

Breech presentation

Transverse ventralTransverse dorsal

Anterior longitudinal presentation, Dorso sacral position with extended forelimbs and forwarded head posture

Anterior longitudinal

presentation

Dorso sacral position

Extended forelimbs and forwarded

head posture

Normal PPP

Dystocia Normal deliveryCalving

Normal PPP

Abnormal PPP

Mutate

Hiplock

and dead

Normal traction

Hiplock

and alive-pull!

C-section

Fetotomy

Traction

guidelines

No & alive

Decision-making guidelines for dystocia case treatment (adapted from Schuijt, 1988; source Current therapy in large animal heriogenology

Upside down position of the calf

Definitions Presentation – what part of the calf is entering the birth canal first? Normal is head first or anterior presentation Position – where is calf’s back in relation to the cow’s back? Normal is dorsal/sacral. Posture – where are front legs and head in relation to the trunk of the body? Normal is front legs extended and head/neck forward, resting on legs.

To aid in relaxing the uterus when you have to manipulate the calf, give the cow 10ml Epinephrine (1:1000) IM in the neck and in about 2 minutes, the uterus will be relaxed. This relaxation will allow you to push the calf farther into the uterus and make the manipulation much easier to resolve.

Ref.-https://vvma.org/

Calf in elbow lock posturing

Correction of deviated head by grasping the muzzle or nose of calf

Correction of deviated head by swinging

head into correct posture before extraction is attempted

Alternative use of gripping the orbits of the eye in correcting a head deviation

Correction of retained forelimb step 1. Slipping

hand down below elbow to convert leg to flexed knee or carpus

Step 2 of correction. Simultaneous

movement of hoof toward midline of calf

and knee laterally before pulling leg into

extended posture

Retained hindlimb in flexed hock posture

Step 1 in correction of retained hind limb. Sliding

hand down leg to level of hock then converting limb

to flexed hock

Correction of flexed hock by medial-

posterior movement of hoof while lateral-

forward repulsion of the hock

Twins with one each of frontward and backward presentation

Ref- R. G. Mortimer, Calving

and Handling Calving

Difficulties

2002 SAVMA

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