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Page 4 of 4
After birth
Also after birth the utmost hygiene should be regarded for.
Cow
- Rinse off hindquarters and vagina of cow with cold water to reduce a possible swelling
- Leave the cow at ease for 5 to 10 minutes and then let her stand up. This way the uterus will get back at its place and jammed nerves and vessels will have space again.
- If the cow keeps on pushing, check if another calf is on its way (if not, the cow can stand up immediately). Afterbirth should come within 6 hours. If this does not happen, warn the veterinarian surgeon.
Calf
If respiration of the calf will not or badly start:
- Lift up the hind legs of the calf
- Lay down the calf with outstretched / straight head, flat on its stomach and paws folded on both sides of the body. If necessary, it is possible to help the breathing by moving the chest.
- Frighten the calf with some cold water on its head. But pay attention: too much cooling down is counterproductive with regard tot breathing!
- Try not to remove mucus / slime in the mouth with your hands (use a dry and clean cloth with abundant mucus)
- Firmly rub the calf dry with straw or by licking of the cow. This will stimulate breathing and blood circulation which will make the calf stand up sooner. Most calves will stand on their own feet after approx. 1 (1/2) hours after birth. Rubbing the calves dry will quicken the secretion of the first manure and urine. It also prevents strong cooling down.
- Navel disinfection can be done with tincture of iodine, but should never be poored in the navel itself.
- Provide 1,5 or 2 litres of colostrum by bucket or bottle with teat, right after birth. If a calf does not want to suckle at all, it is advised to provide colostrum with a tube (closely following the procedures for this).
- It is best tob ring the calf to a well cleaned and disinfected single pens or isolation pens with dry straw.
- Using a heating lamp will always work to speed up the drying of a calf and is recommended when calves are weak or sick.
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