Parturition Behaviour - Cow

2012-06-21T17:35:29Z

RICHARDKIB4: /* Stage 3 */

=== Stage 1 ===

* Lasts ~6 hours
* Relaxing of pelvic ligaments.
* Mammary secretions change from transparent,honey-like to opaque, cellular colostrum.
* Body temperature subnormal by ~0.6◦C.
* Parturition will begin 12 hours after complete relaxation of the posterior borders of the sacrosciatic ligaments.
* Heifers may show signs of abdominal pain for up to 24 hours before the cervix is fully dilated.
* Occasional straining may occur.
* Picks at feed, irregular rumination
* 'Lowing'
* Kicking of the abdomen
* Restless, may stand with her back arched and tail raised.
** May go down and rise again frequently
* Pulse rate often increased to 80-90.

=== Stage 2 ===

* Lasts 30 minutes - 4 hours
** Longer in heifers than in cows
** Male calves take longer to be born
* Onset marked by the appearance of the amnoin ('water bag') at the vulva.
* Less frequent straining
* Remains standing at first
* During passage of the head through the vulva, the cow normally goes down and remains recumbent until the calf is born.
* May lie on her side or in sternal recumbency.
* Placental separation occurs more slowly than in the mare.
* Umbillical cord of the calf is shorter than in the foal and generally ruptures as the calf falls from the vulva.

=== Stage 3 ===

* Expulsion of the foetal membranes usually occurs ~6 hours after the birth of the calf.
** After 24 hours consider a pathological cause for retained placenta.
* Cow will eat the foetal membranes. Hence the cow will show a marked reduction in milk production for at least a month due to indigestion of the foetal membranes.

[[Category:Parturition]][[Category:Reproductive Behaviour]]

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Parturition Behaviour - Cow