Managing difficult births

There are several strategies to help cows through a successful birth but sometimes the producer needs to intervene.

Dr. Claire Windeyer is a veterinarian and professor at the University of Calgary Faculty of Veterinary Medicine. She said having a prepared calving kit can be the difference between having a live calf or a dead calf.

“Calving chains, handles, lube, gloves, towels and some antiseptic like iodine should all be kept clean and close at hand,” Windeyer said. “Anything being used for emergencies, things like lidocaine for an epidural for the cow, water squirt bottle or ventilation devices for resuscitation as well as the phone number for the vet should be readily accessible and shouldn’t require you to go searching. Also having a way to warm up calves in cold weather can really help calves that have been chilled.”

Calves without a heartbeat are rarely viable so resuscitation is unlikely to be successful but calves that have a heartbeat but aren’t breathing can be resuscitated.

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“Simple things like rubbing them vigorously with a towel or with straw, squirting a little bit of water into their ear using something like a washed out ketchup or dish soap bottle or poking the inside of their nose with straw or your finger nail or a pen can help resuscitate those calves.”

Biosecurity and hygiene are important aspects of any operation.

“Trying to keep stuff out by making sure people who come out to your operation have clean boots, clean clothing and aren’t bringing stuff from outside the farm,” Windeyer said.

“Raising and selecting heifers and buying bulls that are right for your environment and your operation, vaccinating and feeding them properly throughout the winter and planning out pasture management strategies can help keep cows and calves healthy during and after the calving season.”

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alice.mcfarlane@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @AliceMcF