How to Manage Calves from Difficult Births

A difficult birth can have a negative impact on health, performance, and survivability of youngstock. We must aim to not only reduce levels and severity of dystocia but also put protocols in place to manage calves from difficult births.

The scientific literature is quite clear and consistent that, when a calf needs to be pulled from the cow during birth, there are several potential negative consequences, depending on the severity of the intervention. Even minor assistance has been associated with delayed time to stand, anoxia (lack of oxygen), acidosis, and potentially, reduced absorption of IgG from colostrum. 

Of course, when a calf requires intervention, we must help. However, it is important to understand the ramifications of this intervention.

If we have feet and no calf coming for some time, it leaves us little choice but to grab ropes, a jack and give nature a helping hand. The immediate relief of a live calf and a healthy mother can distract us from thinking of the long-term impact the situation can have.

The reality will be that calf has entered the world suffering from a lack of oxygen, and potential damage to joints or organs and respiratory acidosis. The trauma and potential pain result in calves being slow to stand, (Odde, 1988). Leading to increased time for the calf to receive adequate colostrum. A resulting failure of passive transfer from longer time to receive colostrum will expose a calf to be more susceptible to disease.

Postnatal respiratory acidosis in calves has been shown to adversely affect colostral immunoglobulin absorption, (Besser et al., 1990), despite adequate colostrum intake early in the absorptive period. It has also been found that dystocia can impair the temperature regulation ability of calves, (Carstens, 1994.)

Lombard et al, (2007) carried out a study on 7,788 calves across three Colorado dairies between October 1, 2001, and November 5, 2002. Dystocia score and calf birth status (alive vs. dead) were recorded at calving.

Dystocia scores were assigned as follows:
• Unassisted = 1
• Mild dystocia = 2
• Severe dystocia = 3

Calves that were born alive, but died before 24 hours of age, also were recorded as stillborn. Heifer calves were monitored for 120 d to evaluate morbidity and mortality. More than half (51.2%) of calves born to primiparous dams, compared with 29.4% of calves born to multiparous dams, required assistance during calving. A larger percentage of bull calves (40.0%) required assistance compared with heifer calves (33.0%).

Heifer calves born to dams having severe dystocia had greater odds of stillbirth [odds ratio (OR) = 20.7] and treatment of respiratory disease (OR = 1.7), digestive disease (OR = 1.3), and overall heifer mortality (OR = 6.7).

A significant interaction was detected between dystocia score, calf gender and dam parity. For calves having a severe dystocia, heifer calves (OR = 20.7) were at increased odds of stillbirth compared with bull calves (OR = 12.9). Calves born to multiparous dams and exposed to severe dystocia were more likely (OR = 35.9) to be stillborn than calves born to primiparous dams that were exposed to severe dystocia (13.0).

Hard delivery calves, when they survive, should be treated as “high risk” animals

The odds of a heifer calf having a respiratory event were significantly increased for dystocia score 2 and 3 (OR = 1.5 and 1.7, respectively).The odds of heifer calves having a digestive event were increased for those calves born to dams that had a mild or severe dystocia.Overall heifer mortality increased with increasing dystocia score. Heifer calves with scores 2 and 3 were 1.3 and 6.7 times, respectively, more likely to be born dead or die between birth and 120 d of age than heifer calves that received no assistance during birth. Parity of the dam had a significant effect on overall heifer-calf death before 120 d of age because calves born to primiparous dams had 1.2 times greater odds of dying than those born to multiparous dams.

Hard delivery calves, when they survive, should be treated as “high risk” animals. Assuming that the number of assisted calving’s are not increasing or suddenly falling outside of your normal figures, focus on:

Having learned that these calves can have a reduced ability to absorb antibodies we should ensure multiple colostrum feeding for these calves as a priority. Colostrum should be given as soon as possible after birth (10% of body weight), and a further colostrum feed 6-8 hours later. Test colostrum and guarantee these calves receive the highest quality.

Read more: Optimal Colostrum Quality and Quantity - It Comes From the Mother!

Read more: Contamination of Colostrum

Difficult calving can impact the calf well into the first month of life, it is important that these calves are identified. A mark on the calf head or on its ear tag so that you can easily identify them in a group and pay extra attention to them. Be ready to intervene with these calves at the first sign of illness.

Start recording assisted or difficult calvings. This information can help you make informed decisions about your calf rearing, breeding and nutrition. Keeping records of the birth event and USING these records is the final step in the best management of the calving area. Regular summaries of births, stillbirths, average calving score, time to feed the calf, and then correlate these data with preweaning mortality and growth will be very useful.

Image supplied by Vicky Allen