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The right forelimb is back in this calving cow.
Leg back is a common malposture in cattle obstetrics.
Aetiology
This is a malposture occurring during first-stage labour.
Clinical Presentation
The calf ’s head and one forefoot are presented at the vulva. Farmers will often apply considerable traction to the one limb and head presented, making correction of the dystocia much more difficult.
Diagnosis
Diagnosis is by vaginal examination after 5 ml of 2% lidocaine is injected into the extradural space at the sacrococcygeal site to prevent forceful straining.
Management
An NSAID injection should be given before commencing delivery of the calf.
Correction of this malposture is best achieved with the cow standing in a crush after a low extradural block to prevent forceful straining. After five minutes the calf ’s head and protruding forelimb are well lubricated and slowly repelled until the calf ’s head is level with the pelvic inlet.
By first grasping the calf ’s forearm then the mid-metacarpal region, the elbow and carpal joints of the retained limb are fully flexed, which brings the foot towards the pelvic inlet. With the fetlock joint fully flexed and the foot cupped in your hand to protect the uterus, the foot is drawn forward into the pelvic canal, extending the fetlock joint.
Traction on the distal limb extends the elbow joint and the foot appears at the vulva, where a calving rope is applied proximal to the fetlock joint. Steady traction by two people pulling on the calving ropes applied to both limbs will generally result in delivery of the calf.
The considerable vulval oedema present justifies treatment with a single injection of dexamethasone. Antibiotics are administered for three consecutive days because placental retention is likely after dystocia and there is an increased risk of metritis due to manual examination of the uterus. The calf ’s umbilicus should be immediately fully immersed in strong iodine and repeated two and four hours later.
Two litres of colostrum are administered by orogastric tube to ensure adequate passive antibody transfer. A single injection of dexamethasone is given to reduce the calf ’s extensive lingual oedema.
Great caution must be exercised if you think the calf is dead and decapitation will assist your correction of the dystocia. Extensive oedema of the calf ’s eyelids and tongue remove the blink and pinch responses, respectively.
Prevention requires prompt recognition and correction of the malposture. Farmers must be instructed that calves, unlike twin and triplet lambs, cannot be delivered with a limb back.