Difference between revisions of "Parturition Behaviour - Cow"
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[[Category:Parturition]][[Category:Reproductive Behaviour]] | [[Category:Parturition]][[Category:Reproductive Behaviour]] | ||
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Revision as of 17:35, 21 June 2012
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.