B133 Calving Problems (Dystocia)
Name _________________________________
Date: ____________
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On the left hand column click on Section F: Infectious Diseases, Problems, and
Treatment
Scroll down to F113 Calving Problems (Dystocia)
Read the information and answer the following questions.
Introduction: A basic understanding of the stages, progression, and positions of
a normal birth is essential.
Describe each of the stages of labor.
A. Stage 1: Describe four visible signs of stage one labor?
1.
2.
3.
4.
How long does stage one of labor last?
When does stage one of labor end and stage two of labor begin?
B. Stage 2: List the visible signs of second stage labor?
How long does stage two of labor last?
When does stage two of labor end?
C. Stage 3: What happens during stage three of labor?
When to give assistance:
A. If an animal is in stage 1 of labor for longer than ______ hours.
B. If in stage 2, any of the following occurs:
1. The cow has been straining for ______ minutes with no progress.
2. The water sac is observed for longer than 1 hour and the animal is not
trying to ____________.
3. The animal is showing signs of severe distress or fatigue, including
bleeding from the rectum of the cow or a swollen __________________ of
the calf.
C. It can visually be determined that the calf is coming in an
_________________ way. (You see 3 or more feet, the tail, etc.)
D. If the fetal membranes have not passed within _______ hours after
delivery.
Once it has been determined that an animal is having difficulty, the
following steps should be taken:
A. Clean the vulva, anus, and surrounding areas with dilute Chlorhexidine
(Nolvasan) or soapy water, removing all dirt and manure. Begin soaking
sleeves and equipment in a bucket of dilute Chlorhexidine.
B. Determine the presentation, position, and posture of the fetus. This can be
aided by referring to the following descriptions and pictures.
Define the following terms
1. Presentation –
2. Position –
3. Posture –

The normal presentation, position, and posture is a calf coming
____________ first, right-side up, with the front legs and head coming
through the birth canal. See figure 1.
Figure 1
C. How do you determine if the front or hind legs are coming through the birth
canal?
D. One of the criteria for making a plan of action involves determining if the
calf is alive or dead. Explain how this is done?
1.
2.
3.
4.
Note:

A dead calf may be more easily removed by having a veterinarian perform
a fetotomy. This method may also be safer for the cow.

A dead calf, if not removed within ________________, will severely
compromise the health of the mother.
Severely swollen, fluid filled calves usually require professional help to
remove.
A weak, yet live calf needs fast removal. This may mean a


___________________ section.
E. Immediately seek professional help if any of the following arise:
Routine Deliveries
Delivery of a calf in normal presentation, position, and posture using
chains/handles or a calf puller:
A. ________________ the vulva and surrounding area and use a
________________.
B. Chains or straps should be placed on both front legs with one loop of the
chain/strap ______________ the first joint (fetlock) and a
________________________ between the fetlock and the hoof.
C. If the cow is down, pressure should first be placed on the calf’s
_______________. The shoulder of this limb should be pulled through the
birth canal. Oftentimes it is possible to feel the shoulder come through the
birth canal or note that the first joint (fetlock) is about one ___________
width outside of the _________________. Pressure should then be placed
on the opposite leg and the second shoulder pulled through the birth
canal. If the second shoulder cannot be pulled into the birth canal, a
Cesarean section may be necessary.
D. Once both shoulders are through the canal, pressure can be placed on
______________ limbs and the calf pulled until the chest is outside of the
cow’s pelvis. Frequently, this is where the umbilical cord is
____________________ and the calf struggles to breathe. The cow often
takes a break at this point.
E. If the calf is fairly large, it should be rotated ______________ degrees.
Why is a large calf rotated after the chest has passed through?
Rotation of the calf is accomplished by crossing the _____________ and
applying pressure to the upper limb and body while rotating.
F. When pulling the front legs and head, the pressure should come from
directly behind the cow in a slightly ______________________ direction.
If the calf has been rotated to remove the pelvis, the pressure should be
applied in a slightly __________________ direction toward the tail of the
mother.
Delivery of a calf that is coming backward, but in normal position and
posture:

Because the head of the calf is immersed in fluids during the delivery, the
calf must be delivered quickly to avoid ___________________________.
A. The calf should be rotated ______________ degrees before attempting to
remove it.
B. Pressure should be applied from directly behind the cow in a slightly
__________________ direction (towards the tail of the mother) until the
calf’s hips are removed.
C. At this point the calf can be rotated back to normal and removed routinely.
Abnormal Presentations, Positions, and Postures




All chains, straps, sleeves and equipment should be sterilized in Nolvasan
(Chlorhexidine) for at least 10 minutes before use.
Extreme pressure from more than two people pulling on each leg or
improper use of a calf puller may cause severe damage and even death to
calf and mother!
All pressure placed on the calf should coincide with the mother having a
_____________________ and pushing.
If manipulations need to be performed, it is very beneficial to have a spinal
block (epidural) administered. Consult a veterinarian for specifics.
Normal presentation and position, except one or both front legs are
retained:
A. With one hand, try to ____________ the end of the hoof on the leg(s) that
is retained. This will protect the uterus and allow the limb to be pulled
towards the pelvis. Sometimes a chain can be placed on the retained limb
for extra control.
B. If more space is required, one hand can be placed on the chest or head of
the calf. Then while ___________________ the calf back into the pelvis,
the other hand can be used to cup and pull the retained limb into the
pelvis.
Two front legs are coming through the pelvis, but the head is turned back:
A. The head can be turned to either side, straight behind or even down
between the legs.
1. A calf in this position is often _______________ or very _____________.
B. Once the position of the head is identified, the head should be grasped.
Oftentimes, gently placing your fingers in the eye sockets or mouth will
help give some control. The head can then be gently manipulated into the
proper position.
1. For extra control, a head _______________ or a loop of sterilized rope
can be attached to the calf’s mouth and around the pole of its head.
2. It may also be necessary to ____________ the calf’s body back into the
uterus with one hand while positioning the head with the other. This allows
that little bit of extra room that is often necessary.
Normal presentation, but upside down and leg(s) retained:
A. Both front legs should be identified and pulled out of the vagina using the
techniques found in the previous pages.
B. Once the legs are accessible, the calf is ________________________ to
normal position by crossing the legs and placing pressure on the upper leg
and shoulders, while rotating.
C. The head should also be held and rotated along with the body.
D. Once the calf is properly positioned, it can be removed routinely.
Backward presentation and upside down:
A. Same as above once both legs are accessible.
Backward presentation, both legs retained (breech):
A. First, pull the _________________ of one leg into a flexed position.
B. Then, take one hand and force that hock ____________________ and
forward.
C. The other hand is used to cup the hoof of that leg and pull the foot towards
the middle of the calf and backwards.
D. Often, it is helpful to use an arm or a sterilized
______________________________ to push the rump of the calf back,
while trying these manipulations.
E. The same technique is used to reposition the opposite leg.
F. Once both legs are exposed, the calf can be delivered routinely.
Four Legs in the Birth Canal:
A. Make sure the legs are all from the ______________________ calf, being
aware of the possibility of twins.
B. If all 4 limbs are from the same calf, deliver the __________________
legs first. Delivering the hind legs first will allow the head to follow
naturally. (The calf in the above picture should probably be delivered head
first.)
C. Rotate the calf if necessary, using the information found on the previous
pages.
Delivering Twins:
A. Identify the limbs associated with each calf. (Many times one comes
backward and one head first).
B. Try and remove the calf coming _________________________ first,
unless one calf is definitely in front of the other.
C. It may be necessary to push one calf back, while removing the other.
Common Mistakes:
What are the three most common mistakes when calving?
A.
B.
C.