Notes on Diseases of Cattle: Cause, Symptoms and TreatmentKorinek, Charles James
Science
Notes on Diseases of Cattle: Cause, Symptoms and Treatment
Korinek, Charles James
Cattle -- Diseases
Signs of Normal Calving are firmness and enlargement of the udder,
extending well forward following the milk veins. The teats as a rule
discharge a thin milky fluid, relaxation of the muscles on each side of
the croup or the base of the tail. The outer surfaces of the womb
becomes swollen and inflamed, discharging sticky, stringy, transparent
mucus. The cow becomes uneasy, stops eating, and if in a pasture becomes
separated from the rest of the herd; will lie down and get up
alternately as if in great agony. When birth pains start, the back is
arched, and a severe straining follows the contraction of the abdominal
muscles. The membranes covering the fœtus will be the first to make
their appearance, engorged with a fluid from the womb. This is commonly
known as the water bag, which eventually bursts and the two fore feet
can be seen, and, as the animal continues to strain, the nose and head
will be next to be seen. When the calf’s shoulders are exposed, the cow
as a rule rises suddenly to her feet and the entire calf is expelled,
also the membranes surrounding it, but the membranes next to the womb,
as a general rule, remain longer and sometimes require artificial
assistance to remove them. (See Retention of the Afterbirth.) Destroy
the fœtal membranes by burning or burying them deeply. Do not permit the
cow to eat them. Wash the calf’s navel with Bichloride of Mercury, one
part to one thousand parts water, once or twice a day until the navel is
thoroughly dry, or an infection may follow, producing Joint Ill or
Scours, from which death may result.
ABNORMAL CALVING.—This is a condition where the fœtus is not normally
presented, as that just described. Their feet may be presented in a
normal manner, but the head and neck twisted back or to one side, or the
head and one fore foot may be presented normally, while the other fore
foot is doubled back, or there may be a breech presentation as the rump
of a fœtus with both hind feet thrown close to its body. This is a very
difficult presentation, especially if in a young animal. A fœtus
abnormally presented requires good judgment and cleanliness, also
lubrication of the walls of the womb with unsalted Lard, Cotton or Sweet
Oil. Endeavor to place the fœtus in as near a normal position as
possible before any force is used in its delivery, although where both
hind feet are presented, it is advisable to remove it in this position.
The hands and ropes should be clean and washed with a five per cent
solution of Carbolic Acid. It is not only dangerous to the animal, but
to the operator as well, if proper antiseptic precautions are not
practiced.
Space does not permit me going into details on various fœtal
presentations nor does it permit me to explain the exact methods or
operations I would use in each particular case. Nevertheless, good
judgment and cleanliness are important. Do not hurry. Take your time,
and you will be successful in most cases.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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