A difficult calving is tough on the cow, of course, but the newborn calf can be negatively impacted by a prolonged delivery, too. Dystocia is the term used for a difficult calving requiring assistance, and calves born from a problematic delivery are often called dystocia calves.
“We know dystocia can have potential long-term effects on the calf,” said Casey Havekes, a regional dairy specialist for Cornell Cooperative Extension. “Research has shown that these calves may have reduced survival rates and could produce less milk as adults.”
Havekes talked about care of dystocia calves during a recent Cornell Cooperative Extension “Troubleshooting herd health issues on your dairy” podcast. She focused most of the discussion on steps farmers could take right after birth.
“This is a really important time for the calf, and we need to make sure we optimize success,” she explained.
Once a calf’s umbilicus is disconnected from its dam, it is no longer receiving oxygen from the cow and must breathe in fresh air to survive. Havekes said that when a calf doesn’t have access to oxygen, it can lead to a state of respiratory acidosis. If prolonged and not corrected, this can turn into metabolic acidosis.
Metabolic acidosis causes blood pH to drop and creates other issues, including reduced colostrum intake and immunoglobulin (IgG) absorption. Havekes said there are also behavioral problems, noting that dystocia calves are often weaker, may take longer to stand, and could have a poor suckle reflex.
Off to a good start
Havekes shared six strategies to help calves that were born after a difficult delivery. The first is to sit the calf in sternal recumbency, which means it is upright with the legs underneath the body. “This position allows the lungs to expand and will hopefully get the calf breathing,” she said.
The second step is to stimulate respiration. “Once oxygen enters the lungs and carbon dioxide leaves, the state of acidosis starts to correct itself,” Havekes explained. Sitting the calf upright should help start this process, but if more assistance is needed, Havekes said to tickle inside the calf’s nose with straw or pour cold water over its head, which will trigger a gasp reflex.
Another option is to somewhat aggressively rub the calf with a towel to stimulate breathing. Havekes said this will also help warm up the calf.
As for what not to do, Havekes stated, “One very important takeaway I can’t stress enough is to never hang a calf upside down or sling her to get fluid out of her lungs. It’s going to do more harm than good, so please don’t do that.”
The third step is to get the calf warm. “To stay warm, calves break down brown fat and engage in physical activity, both of which are compromised for dystocia calves,” Havekes shared. She said a heat lamp, dry bedding, and a towel or jacket can be used to elevate body temperature.
The next goal is to expand blood volume. Havekes said the best way to do this is to get colostrum into the calf, and this will also help correct the acidosis.
The lack of a suckle reflex combined with the risk of poor IgG absorption make colostrom delivery very important, Havekes said. She shared that research has found no difference in IgG absorption between bottle and esophogeal tube feeding; so, if a calf won’t drink, she encouraged producers to tube feed the calf with the best colostrum available.
In extreme dystocia cases, Havekes said farms could consider giving anti-inflammatory steroid drugs, such as banamine, to these calves. This strategy would need to be discussed with the herd’s veterinarian prior to implementation.
Finally, Havekes said to monitor these calves extra closely. They can be more susceptible to disease, especially if the calf has compromised passive transfer.
“Keeping an extra eye on these calves can go a long way,” Havekes said. “Watch for behavioral indicators of disease, as they often present themselves sooner than physiological signs, and make sure you are intervening as early as you can if that calf does get sick.”
