Term
| What are the 3 'P's of describing abnormal parturition? |
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Definition
| Presentation. position and posture |
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Term
| What does Presentation of the calf refer to? |
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Definition
| The relation of the foetus' spine to that of the dam (longitudinal, transverse - cranial or caudal in the longitudinal presentation, and dorsal or ventral in the transverse presentation) |
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Term
| What does Position of the calf refer to? |
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Definition
| Relation of the dorsum of the foetus to the quadrants of the maternal pelvis, sacrum, right ilium, pubis or left ilium. |
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Term
| What doe Posture of the calf refer to? |
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Definition
| Relation of the foetal extremities to it's own body. May be flexed, extended, retained (retained to the right, left, above or below - retention is usually of the head). |
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Term
| What is the normal presentation, posture and position of a calf? |
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Definition
| Longitudinal, head and fore limbs extended and pubis. |
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Term
| What does mutation refer to with regards to dystocia? |
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Definition
| Correction of abnormal presentation, posture of position. |
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Term
| What does repelling refer to in regards to dystocia? |
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Definition
| Pushing the foetus out of the maternal pelvis and back into the uterus to allow for more space to correct abnormalities |
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Term
| What are some of the causes of dystocia? |
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Definition
Foetal oversize
Abnormal presentation, posture of position
Foetal monsters |
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Term
| What are some of the more uncommon causes of dystocia? |
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Definition
| Narrow maternal pelvis, constricted cervis, vulva, vv sphincter, myometrial insufficiency, uterine tortion, uterine rupture, uterine spasm, abortion diseases |
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Term
| What is the recoomended interval between checks on cows on the verge of calving? |
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Definition
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Term
| How detailed should the clinical exam be? |
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Definition
| General, don't wast time on it. You do need to note the stage of partuition (has the amniotic sac been protuding from the vagina for more than 2 hr with no progress?). You do need to carefully inspect the vagina |
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Term
| When using mechanical traction, what is important to remember? |
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Definition
| DO NOT OVER TRACTIONIFY! Don't use more than you could get by hand using 3 people, it just holds on more easily. |
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Term
| What are the indicators for a vaginal birth when the calf is in a cranial position? |
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Definition
| If, with a person on each forelimb, the fetlocks can pass 10-15 cm past the vulva the calf can be delivered vaginally. |
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Term
| What are the indicators for a vaginal birth when the calf is in a caudal position? |
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Definition
| If the hocks can be pulled to the level of the vulva the calf should be able to pass vaginally. |
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Term
| If a calf presents in abnormal PPP and cannot be mutated, what should you do? |
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Definition
| If the calf is alive, C-section, if the calf is dead, fetotomy |
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Term
| What are the steps in pulling a calf? |
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Definition
LUBE UP!
Dialte the VV-sphincter and vulva
Cast the cow (in all but the easiest)
Apply chains
Alternate traction on each foreleg
Rotate the foetus as soon as the head emerges
DO NOT USE EXCESSIVE FORCE!!! |
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Term
| In which direction should an episiotomy by cut? |
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Definition
| Dorsolaterally - aim for around 1-2 o'Clock |
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Term
| When should you not use mechanical traction? |
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Definition
| When the guidelines for vaginal delivery are not met |
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Term
| What is the most common method of selecting heifers? |
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Definition
| Visual assessment of size |
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Term
| What is the most common method of bull selection? |
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Definition
| Visual appraisal for confirmation |
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Term
| What % of heifer deaths can be attributed to dystocia? |
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Definition
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Term
| In the Goondiwindi study, what body weight was associated with an 80% chance of unassisted calving? |
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Definition
| 276kg for a Bos taurus breed |
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Term
| What is the ideal BCS for a calving heifer? |
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Definition
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Term
| Are male or female calves more likely to need assistance calving? |
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Definition
| Male, 65% of assisted calving |
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Term
| What are some causes of ineffective labour? |
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Definition
Low oestrogen production from feto-placental unit in late gestation
Increased P4? - High BCS at calving
Possible deficiencies
Low blood Ca = decreased strength of contraction leading to uterine inertia
Low Zn - Prob the biggest one |
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Term
| What is the worst scenario for rainfall during gestation? |
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Definition
| No rain (and no feed) for the first two trimesters and then a lot of rain and feed in the last. |
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Term
| What is the most imporant feeding period for heifers? |
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Definition
| From weaning to breeding to ensure the animal has reached an adequate level of growth |
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