Assistance at Birth

4-H Veterinary ScienceExtension Veterinary Medicine 

Texas AgriLife Extension ServiceCollege of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Science

Texas A&M Systemhttp://aevm.tamu.edu

Objectives

Describe the types of dystocia Describe the types of procedures in handling

dystocias Describe the normal parturition process

Stages of Parturition

Dilation of birth canal

Expulsion of calf

Expulsion of afterbirth

Nursing of calf

Pull through in an

arc

Avoid excessive force

Calf pullers are dangerous

Direction of Pull

Through in an arc

UP – UP – UP

DOWN – DOWN – DOWN

Placement of Chains

Loop above fetlock

Half-hitch below fetlock

Calf Pulled Using Chain Method

Broken Fetlock