Introduction

• Dystocia is a subjective term used to describe abnormal parturition.
• Dystocia has a high cost both economically and in terms of animal welfare.
• Calves experiencing dystocia have an increased risk of death and disease compared to those born without problems.
• Cows experiencing dystocia have an increased likelihood of disease, reproductive failure, decreased milk yields and are at higher risk of being culled from the herd.

Normal birth

• 95% of calves are born in anterior presentation.
• 2% of pregnancies in cattle involve multiple births.
• Progression of a normal birth is as follows:
  • Stage 1: dilation of the cervix, duration approximately 24 h.
  • Stage 2: expulsion of the fetus, duration - up to 2 h in cows, up to 3 h in heifers.
  • Stage 3: expulsion of the fetal membranes, should occur within 8 hours of the fetus being born.
• Dystocia is characterized by problems in the first, or more commonly second stage of labor.

Causes of dystocia

Incidence of dystocia

Approach to dystocia

Mutation (obstetrical manipulation)

Traction

Medical treatments available to the obstetrician

Fetal dystocia

Maternal dystocia

Fetomaternal disproportion

Further Reading

Publications

Refereed Papers

• Recent references from PubMed and VetMedResource.
• Barrier A C, Haskell M J, Birch S, Bagnall A et al (2013) The impact of dystocia on dairy calf health, welfare, performance and survival. Vet J 195 (1), 86-90 PubMed.
• Mee J (2008) Prevalence and risk factors for dystocia in dairy cattle: A review. Vet J 176 (1), 93-101 PubMed.
• McGuirk B J, Forsyth R & Dobson H (2007) Economic cost of difficult calvings in the United Kingdom dairy herd. Vet Rec 161 (20), 685-687 PubMed.
• Wittum T E, Salman M D, King M E, Mortimer R G et al (1994) Individual animal and maternal risk factors for morbidity and mortality of neonatal beef calves in Colorado, USA. Prevent Vet Med 19, 1-13.