After calving, the cow does not get up: causes and what to do, consequences and care

Childbirth is a complex physiological process that causes the restructuring and renewal of all internal organs and systems of the animal. It experiences severe stress, the body recovers for a long time. Occasionally, a cow will not stand up after calving without leg fractures or other obvious abnormalities. This is the most serious problem requiring urgent veterinary attention.

Causes of disorders

The cow most often does not get up due to paralysis of the limbs that occurs after calving. The reasons for this are varied and depend on many factors.Moreover, this happens both with a young cow and with an experienced one who has given birth many times. Usually this disorder occurs when the fetus is large. At the same time, childbirth is protracted and difficult, damage to the nerve endings of the mother's hind limbs occurs, which causes their paralysis. This is typical for young, primiparous animals, as well as cows with narrow pelvic bones, which diverge unevenly during childbirth.

You should be especially careful if during pregnancy or in previous births there were injuries in the hip area: dislocations or fractures.

Other possible causes of the disorder:

• there is an inflammatory process in the joints;
• weakened immunity: the body lacks calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, vitamins E, A, D;
• the diet of the pregnant cow was unbalanced;
• there are diseases such as hypophosphatemia, alimentary osteodystrophy;
• animal conditions are not up to standard, there is overcrowding;
• not getting enough physical activity during pregnancy.

Paralysis is possible with inflammation or damage to the tissues of the uterus. Any movement at the same time brings the animal the most acute pain, and it is afraid to move. First of all, when paralysis of the limbs is detected, it is recommended to pay attention to the pelvic region of the animal. A young primiparous cow is not always ready to give birth, so you should immediately contact your veterinarian.

Consequences for the animal

A cow that has fallen after calving must be picked up, otherwise the situation may become more complicated and reach a dangerous point: from permanent paralysis to death of the animal. Of course, this is not a mandatory outcome, the result usually depends on the cause of the fall. Even if by no means it is possible to lift the cow, it is worth choosing an anatomically correct position for her with the help of a veterinarian.This will help to avoid the dangerous consequences of the disease. Childbirth for a cow is a painful process. Due to strong attempts, the blood circulation in the sacral region becomes uneven, which damages the entire area.

As a result, the blood can completely freeze, and this is often found at autopsy, when the owner decides to slaughter the cow. An unslaughtered animal remains motionless and dies within a year.

If a fracture or dislocation of the femur is detected, the intervention of a veterinarian is required, since incorrect actions always end in the death of the cow. For example, bone fragments often hit the femoral artery, which is fatal. If there is even a barely perceptible trembling and fever in the muscles of the hind limbs, you should urgently call a veterinarian. If the fever after calving is not de alt with in time, the animal will be very difficult to save.

You should also sound the alarm if the cow has:

• mouth open, tongue out, increased salivation;
• pupils dilated, eyelids half open;
• sniffling, irregular breathing;
• no reaction to injections with sharp objects;
• no urination and bowel movements for a long time;
• the head is thrown back, and the animal does not want to change its position;
• body temperature below 35 ^o.

What to do if the cow does not rise to her feet after calving

First, it is important to identify the cause of the paralysis. Be sure to with the help of a veterinarian - a professional will establish the correct diagnosis and choose a treatment regimen. Before the arrival of a specialist, the body of the animal is rubbed with dry hay, wrapped in something, since the heat contributes to the dynamics of the muscles.The animal usually lies on its side, it must be turned over from time to time to avoid bedsores.

Mechanical action

Often, postpartum paralysis is caused by postpartum shock. In this case, you can help the cow in many ways, but first the calf is sent to another pen, otherwise the mother can crush him.

Some methods seem cruel, but they are effective:

1. Scare. It is recommended to make an unexpected sound loud enough to startle the animal out of shock.
2. Hold your breath. If you limit the supply of oxygen to the body for 10-30 seconds, it is quite possible that the cow will wake up from shock. To do this, close your nostrils with your hand and close your jaws.
3. Twist or pull up the tail.
4. Use the electric prod.

Attempts will have to be combined, repeated several times with short breaks in order for the animal to rest and gain strength.

Important! Each time you need to belay the animal, otherwise the fall may cause new injuries to the hind legs.

Medications

Some medicines are given to an animal with postpartum hind limb paralysis in any situation. If the cow fell due to a nervous breakdown, gynecological pathologies or diseases of the bones, joints, they prescribe:

• means with anti-inflammatory, decongestant effects;
• drugs containing selenium, calcium, phosphorus, vitamins E, A, C;
• with paresis - subcutaneous injections of caffeine, Vitam, benzoate;
• to normalize the general condition of the animal - strengthening drugs;
• droppers, calcium chloride (10%), glucose (40%);
• with hypophosphatemia - injections of ursolite (per 500 kg of weight 500 mg), calcium hypophosphate.

Some veterinarians inject air into the udder until the lobe of the udder is tense, and then bandage the teats. In this position, the animal is from 15 to 30 minutes. The procedure helps in some cases, but not every veterinarian approves of it.

Nutrition during illness

During the recovery period and observation by a veterinarian, you should pay special attention to the feeding ration, carefully select feeds and supplements containing:

• calcium and phosphorus s alts;
• glucose;
• fish oil;
• vitamins.

The main feed should be grain, peas, quality hay, chopped grass, barley, and other grains. Any food should be served to the cow chopped. Some farmers mix feed with sugar water to improve absorption.

Tips for caring for a calving cow

To save livestock from he alth problems, and the farmer from material losses, you should consider the rules that are recommended for both beginners and experts in animal husbandry:

1. Always control your diet. Malnutrition is often the root of most animal problems.
2. Observe general safety precautions when interacting with animals.
3. Provide good care and acceptable living conditions for the cow.
4. Carefully monitor the entire process of pregnancy, calving and postpartum.
5. Do not self-medicate. This can end badly, as practice shows.

Despite the fact that a cow is considered a strong and independent animal, it still needs human help.Especially acute after calving. The breeder should immediately sound the alarm and call professionals if the cow does not get up in the first days after birth. You need to follow the advice of experienced colleagues, and take independent actions only as a last resort.

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