A HERDSMAN'S HANDBOOK FOR THE MODERN HOMESTEADER

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As you exert force, keep one of the feet well in advance of the other to avoid having both shoulders enter the pelvic inlet at the same time. Figure 4 shows a cutaway top view proper way to advance the shoulders into the birth canal. Note that (Figure 5) when the force applied to the feet is equal, the shoulders are brought into the pelvis simultaneously, resulting in an increase in the diameter of the fetus and a more difficult birth.

The greatest force will be required as the head and shoulders are brought through the pelvis. As these parts are presented, continue to use moderate pressure until the delivery is complete.

It may be necessary to rotate the calf slightly on its longitudinal axis to avoid a condition called "hip-lock". As the name implies, this situation is caused by the fetal pelvis engaging the maternal pelvis is such a fashion that they do indeed seem to be locked together. If this occurs, release all pressure and rotate the calf about 45° in either direction and then resume the application of pressure.

This is a rather simplified description of the uncomplicated delivery of a normal calf. It also applies to the delivery of the too-large calf, differing only in the amount of force necessary to complete the extraction. Obviously, the larger the calf the greater the amount of force that will be required.

If the above principles are adhered to, the force supplied by two or three men will usually be sufficient to effect most deliveries. More pressure than this may result in permanent injury to the dam and in the death of the fetus. If you have no help, it will be necessary to resort to the use of a mechanical device to increase the traction.

The "calf-pullers" commonly in use by veterinarians are designed to exert force in the proper direction. On the other hand, a fence-stretcher or a block and tackle is not capable of applying the proper directional force unless an auxiliary belly-band or rope is used to help correctly align the force exerted by the stretcher.

F igure 6 shows a cow lying down with the block and tackle attached in both the proper and improper positions. If the cow remains standing, the same angle should be used. This can be accomplished by attaching the end of the stretcher to a low point behind the cow.

If the attempts at forced extraction are not successful, you'll ultimately have to decide when further traction will result in permanent injury to the cove and calf. Experience and common sense will usually dictate when this point is reached, and then you really have only two alternatives, Either (1) a veterinarian must be summoned to perform an embryotomy (dismemberment of the calf and piece-by-piece removal) or a Caesarean section or (2) you must accept the possibility of the ultimate death of the cow and calf.

In the following discussion of improper positions and postures and their correction, the above considerations will again apply as soon as the position is corrected and forced delivery is possible.

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