Breed associations publish expected progeny differences (EPDs) that can be used to select a sire that has a decreased chance of causing dystocia. Sires selected for use in yearling heifers are usually different than sires used in the mature cow herd. Careful selection of matings can minimize the chance of genetic defects appearing in your herd. Occasionally, genetic defects can lead to malformations that may cause dystocia. Malposition of the calf is not predictable and there are not any methods to prevent malposition ahead of time. The major cause of dystocia is maternal/fetal disproportion thus, prevention is focused on bull selection and heifer development. The goals of dystocia intervention include an uninjured cow that is capable of taking care of her calf and getting rebred and a healthy viable calf that has the capability of becoming a productive individual. Regular observation, an understanding of the normal stages of delivery and adequate facilities and equipment are necessary for intervention to be beneficial. When a difficult birth arises, timely and appropriate intervention can result in a positive outcome for the cow and the calf. Additionally, dystocia females are more likely to have increased days open and reduced fertility. In many cases trauma is limited to local soft tissue tearing but can also involve nerve paralysis or skeletal involvement. Severe dystocia can cause trauma to the cow or heifer during calving. Dystocia in cows is more commonly associated with malpositioned or deformed calves that may take careful extraction to salvage a positive outcome.įemales also are negatively impacted by dystocia. Although cows do not have as many problems with dystocia as heifers, when they do have problems it can be serious because maternal/fetal disproportion is usually not the problem. Even without maternal/fetal disproportion, the birthing process is longer and slightly more difficult in heifers as the soft tissue in the perineal region does not relax as rapidly compared to older cows. Small increases in calf size or weight can mean the difference between a natural easy birth and a difficult pull. Therefore, heifers are not capable of delivering the same size calf as a cow. Heifers are still growing and their pelvic canal has not reached its mature size.

Typically, heifers have more problems with dystocia than mature cows because the main cause of dystocia is maternal/fetal disproportion, meaning that the calf is larger than what the female is capable of easily delivering. Because dystocia can decrease the calf’s ability for adequate passive transfer of immunoglobulins from colostrum, dystocia calves are also more likely to have subsequent health issues such as calf scours, navel ill or pneumonia. Hypoxemia can cause calves to be weak at birth and negatively impact the calf’s ability to stand and suckle. Posterior or backwards calves also are at risk for hypoxemia because the umbilical cord is constricted before the calf’s nasal passages are exteriorized. During a difficult birth, calves can be deprived of oxygen (hypoxemia) if the umbilical cord is constricted and the calf is unable to breathe because the chest is compressed. Calves born from dystocia events take longer to stand and nurse, and will subsequently absorb lower amounts of immunoglobulins from colostrum.

Besides the immediate loss resulting from a calf that dies at or shortly after birth there are other losses that can occur over time. In cattle operations dystocia is a major cause of calf loss with some studies reporting that 1/3 of calf losses are associated with dystocia. Home Page General Nutrition Scoring Weak Calf Facilities Supplies Delivery Dystocia Care Post-Calving Dystocia Prevention and Intervention Introductionĭystocia is derived from a Greek word meaning difficult birth.

Hairy cow calf