A HERDSMAN'S HANDBOOK FOR THE MODERN HOMESTEADER

(Page 5 of 5)

July/August 1972
By R.J. Holliday 
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Twins are sometimes the cause of dystocias (difficult births). The main problem isn't usually size or malposition, but rather in trying to sort out which two legs belong to which calf. Take time for a thorough examination, and before exerting any force on a fetus, make sure that you have matching legs from the same calf.

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The conditions described above are by no means all that might be encountered. If you happen to encounter other troublesome situations, try to visualize the closest normal position and align the calf accordingly. Experience will be your best instructor in these techniques.

Assuming that you have delivered a live calf by any of the above methods, here are a few hints to insure that the calf will have the best chance to survive:

(1) After a prolonged birth, it is sometimes helpful to hang a calf up by the hind legs for several minutes to allow most of the placental fluid to drain from its mouth and lungs. If the calf is slow to breathe, it's sometimes possible to stimulate the respiratory reflex by tickling the nostrils with a piece of hay or straw or by forcibly inserting one or two fingers into the calf's rectum.

(2) The navel cord of the newborn baby should be thoroughly saturated with Tincture of Iodine.

(3) As soon as possible after the delivery is completed, leave the premise so the cow can "own" her calf without interference. (Smearing some placental fluids on the dam's nostrils seems to enhance the instinctive desire of the cow to care for her calf.)

Most other domestic animals deliver their offspring with a minimum of trouble. Horses and ponies foal so easily that it's rare, even for a veterinarian, to witness a birth. Any dystocias in sheep and goats can be handled by the same principles as those applied to cattle (multiple births in these two species are common). Well-managed swine only rarely have problems . . . pig fetuses are relatively small and can usually deliver in any position, except sideways.

The next installment in this series will deal with postpartum complications and care of the new mother and baby.

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