Calving Management and Newborn Calf Care: An Interactive Textbook for Cattle Medicine and Obstetrics

ISBN-13: 9783030681708 / Angielski / Miękka / 2022

João Simões;George Stilwell

Opis

This comprehensive textbook provides detailed information on calving management in dairy and beef cattle. Enriched with diverse learning opportunities, it conveys the fundamentals of reproductive anatomy and physiology, parturition, birth complications and various obstetrical manoeuvres, as well as dam and calf care. In order to promote best practices in this specialized subject, the book covers all significant points from conception to calving and the perinatal period. Clear chapter structures, a wealth of illustrations and videos, obstetrical case studies, and question-and-answer lists round out the reading experience, making the book a unique source of information on how to support mother cows and obtain viable offspring. In addition, readers can download the free Springer Nature Flashcards App and benefit from 77 digital study questions to test their knowledge.

Calving is a significant event in terms of providing care and nutrition for mother cows and calves. The reproductive health status in cattle farms is crucial to immediately initiate lactation and new conception. Assistance by technical personnel, dystocia and stillbirth occurrences can reach ca. 50%, 14% and 6% of parturitions, respectively. Hence, zootechnical and veterinary management of calving is of great importance for animal welfare.

This textbook makes a valuable contribution to teaching and everyday practice in cattle medicine and obstetrics. Veterinary students, residents, practitioners and technical personnel will discover it to be a rich learning and reference resource.

Spis treści

-Preliminary Table of contents-

Chapter 1 Generalities/Introduction

1.1. Reproduction in cattle (definitions, implications with production …)

1.1.1. Dairy herds

1.1.2. Beef herds

1.2. Reproduction management 

1.3. Embryonic, fetal losses and abortion

1.4. Calving 

1.4.1. Eutocia (definition)

1.4.2. Dystocia (definitions, incidence, significances, …)

1.5. The offspring (vitality, mortality,…)

1.6. The challenges and new insights for the care of the dam and calf 

Chapter 2 Anatomy of the reproductive system

Short introduction regarding the uterus/ovaries and concept of pelvimetry

2.1. Internal genitalia (Uterus, cervix and vagina/vestibular zone, ovaries)

2.2. External genitalia (vulva, perineum, defects, …)

2.3. The pelvis 

Concept of birth canal, applications of pelvimetry 

2.3.1. The osseous constituents (sacrum, ischium, ilium, pelvic inlet and outlet…)

2.3.2. Soft tissues (ligaments, articulations, blood vessels, nerfs, pelvic diaphragm, …) 

2.3.3. Conformation and inclination 

2.4. Pelvic mensuration (techniques and uses)

2.5. Genetic and nutritional improvement for an adequate pelvis in heifers.

2.6. Most common genetic and congenital defects

Learning objectives/key points and Q&A

Chapter 3 Reproductive physiology 

Introduction/puberty/others

3.1. Oestrus cycle (characterization; hormones; main reasons for length variation, ...)

3.2. Conception (fertilization, embryonic development, maternal recognition, embryo implantation; hormonal changes, placental development, Is the bovine uterus a sterile environment?, ...)

3.3 Pregnancy length (related factors; claws, infections and discomfort, myometrium contractility during late pregnancy, … )

3.4. Effect of pregnancy stage on milk composition 

3.5. Anoestrus – causes and consequences

3.6. Factors affecting reproductive physiology and fertility (virus, genetic, malnutrition).

Chapter 4 Non-pregnant and pregnant cow’s management

4.1. Management of timed fertilization/insemination (Genomic evaluation of age at first calving, determination of optimal time in heifers and in adult cows, …)

4.2.  Twins  (incidence, implications, potential reduction, …)

4.3. Management of the pregnant cow  (diagnosis, rectal palpation and pregnancy loss,  nutritional management during lactating period, vaccinations, serum metabolites during pregnancy…) 

4.4. Management of the pregnant heifer 

4.5. Transition period

4.5.1. Implications of dry period length 

4.5.2. Changes in the mammary gland

4.5.3. Nutritional management (negative energy balance, minerals, BCS, feed intake,…)

4.6. Colostrum (characterization, nutritional value, immunoglobulin G1, G2 and M concentrations, preservation…)

Learning objectives/key points and Q&A

Chapter 5 Normal birth (eutocia)

5.1. Parturition induction and hormonal changes (physiologic induction, artificial induction)

5.2. Fetal static (classification, assessment,…)

5.3. Prodromal external signs of parturition

5.4 Stages of labor

5.4.1. Stage I or dilatation stage (signs, duration, changes…)

5.4.2. Stage II or fetal expulsion stage (signs, duration, changes…)

5.4.2.1. Prediction and management (Body/rectal/vaginal/eart temperature; Rumination and feeding behavior; Combined pelvic ligament relaxation and teat filling measurement; Behavioral changes; Steroid assays, use of automated monitoring devices and electronic data loggers to predict the calving)

5.4.3. Stage III or placental expulsion (signs, duration, changes…)

5.5. Fetal physiology during parturition

5.5.1. Respiratory changes

5.5.2. Cardiovascular changes 

Learning objectives/key points and Q&A

Chapter 6 Abnormal occurrences during calving

6.1. Causes of dystocia (Fetal and/or maternal; new tentatives of classification,…)

6.2. Fetopelvic disproportion and absolute fetal improved size

6.3. Fault dispositions (abnormal fetal static)

6.4. Inadequate size of birth canal

6.5. Inadequate forces

6.6. Fetal congenital defects affecting calving

6.6. Signs of fetal stress (how to identify, how to avoid, how to correct)

6.7. Human intervention in dystocia (lubrification, epidural, sedation, episiotomy, pulling...)

Learning objectives/key points and Q&A

Chapter 7 Assisted vaginal delivery

7.1. Obstetrical examination 

7.2. Appropriate time for obstetrical intervention

7.3. Scales to measure the need for assistance

7.4. Appropriate installations for calving (maternity features…)

7.7. Post-calving assistance

Learning objectives/key points and Q&A

Chapter 8 Obstetric manoeuvres 

8.1. Definitions and classification of obstetric manoeuvres

All procedures with scientific illustration

Learning objectives/key points and Q&A

Chapter 9 Fetotomy

9.1 Indications and contraindications

9.2 Dam preparation

9.3 Material for different types of fetotomy (percutaneous 

9.4 Procedures (parcial and total fetotomy)

9.5 Post-intervention care

Learning objectives/key points and Q&A

Chapter 10 Caesarean Section

10.1. Indications and contraindications (including the surgical approach)

10.2. When to go for a C-section

10.3. Dam restraint methods

10.4. Anesthetic protocols

10.5. Different surgical procedures 

10.6. Postoperative care

Learning objectives/key points and Q&A

Chapter 11 Obstetric problems before or during calving

11.1. Uterine torsion

11.1.1. Ethiopathophysiology

11.1.2. Diagnosis

11.1.3. Treatment

11.1.4 Post-intervention care

11.2. Vaginal prolapse

11.2.1. Ethiopathophysiology

11.2.2. Diagnosis

11.2.3. Treatment

11.2.4 Post-intervention care

11.3. Hydrops (Hydrallantois/Hydramnios) 

11.3.1. Ethiopathophysiology

11.3.2. Diagnosis

11.3.3. Treatment

11.3.4 Post-intervention care

11.4. Lacerations, hemorrhages and organ rupture  

11.4.1. Ethiopathophysiology

11.4.2. Diagnosis

11.4.3. Treatment

11.4.4 Post-intervention care

Learning objectives/key points and Q&A

Chapter 12 Post-partum management

12.1. Pain management after calving

12.2. Uterine involution (including factor which affect cervix closure, …)

12.2. Resumption of estrous cyclicity (Dairy and beef cows,…)

12.3. Influence of calving events and post-partum health on fertility.

Learning objectives/key points and Q&A

Chapter 13 Post-partum diseases

13.1. Uterine prolapse

13.2. Hypocalcaemia (milk fever)

13.3. Downer cow

13.2. Retained placenta

13.3. Puerperal metritis 

13.4. Endometritis and pyometra

13.5. Other diseases and their relation with calving – ketosis, fatty-liver, mastitis

Chapter 14 Care and management of the newly born calf

14.1. Newborn calf vitality: Risk factors, characteristics and assessment

15.1.1. Fetal resuscitation

15.1.2. Clinical examination of the newborn (reflexes, pain,)

15.1.3. Hypoxia and acidosis

15.1.4. Trauma and pain

15.1.5. Genetic and congenital defects

15.1.6. Euthanasia

14.2. Colostrum management 

15.2.1. Quality assessment

15.2.2. Time, quantity and ways to provide colostrum

15.2.3. Evaluation of failure of passive transmission

14.3. Environmental comfort and hygiene

14.4. Neonatal diseases (onfalitis, hernia, diarrhea...)

14.5. Calf growth (milk replacers, development of rumen, ...)

14.6. Weaning

Learning objectives/key points and Q&A

O autorze

João Simões is a Professor of Large Animal Medicine and Reproduction at the University of Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro (UTAD). As a clinician and academic, he has dedicated 27 years of his professional career to veterinary students and producers, and collaborated with national and European animal production associations. On the basis of this work experience and research, he has written numerous scientific and technical publications. In recent years, he has also edited several books and special issues on animal production and veterinary medicine for scientific journals.   

George Stilwell worked as a practitioner mainly with farm animals for over 15 years before joining the Veterinary Medicine Faculty (FMV) in Lisbon, where he now lectures on Farm Animal Clinics and Deontology and Bioethics. He did his PhD on cattle pain management and is a Diplomate at the European College of Bovine Health Management (ECBHM). He leads the Animal Behaviour and Welfare Research Lab (CIISA-FMV). George has been involved in various European projects on ruminant health and welfare (AWIN, Anicare, BovINE) and in several EFSA working groups. He is a board member of the Portuguese Veterinary Council and has published more than 50 peer-reviewed papers and several books on farm animal health and welfare.    

Blurb

This comprehensive textbook provides detailed information on calving management in dairy and beef cattle. Enriched with diverse learning opportunities, it conveys the fundamentals of reproductive anatomy and physiology, parturition, birth complications and various obstetrical manoeuvres, as well as dam and calf care. In order to promote best practices in this specialized subject, the book covers all significant points from conception to calving and the perinatal period. Clear chapter structures, a wealth of illustrations and videos, obstetrical case studies, and question-and-answer lists round out the reading experience, making the book a unique source of information on how to support mother cows and obtain viable offspring. Readers can additionally download the free Springer Nature Flashcards App and benefit from 77 digital study questions to test their knowledge.

The reproductive health status in cattle farms is crucial to immediately initiate lactation and new conception. Assistance by technical personnel, dystocia and stillbirth occurrences can reach ca. 50%, 14% and 6% of parturitions, respectively. Hence, zootechnical and veterinary management of calving is of great importance for animal welfare.

This work makes a valuable contribution to teaching and everyday practice in cattle medicine and obstetrics. Veterinary students, residents, practitioners and technical personnel will discover it to be a rich learning and reference resource.

“For many years, animal health and welfare has been an increasingly important part of animal science and livestock production. One reason for this is that it has a very significant impact on the acceptance of livestock production systems by consumers and the economic success of farms. It is important to note that, most of the time, farmers are confronted first with animal health problems, even before the veterinarians. Normally the ‘first aid’ like calving assistance, including moderate dystocias, is performed by people working on farms or by related professionals. Therefore it is essential that also these people have the best knowledge to better know the different steps of all related processes, to be able to implement the best management plans (e.g. for calving) and to use the best available practices. Only this can assure the highest possible level of animal welfare and health. The book by João Simões and George Stilwell is therefore highly recommended for teachers and students of animal science, and for practitioners looking to acquire profound knowledge on the subject of ‘healthy calving’, i.e., unassisted calving where dam and calf can express their full natural behaviour. As such, I wish the book every success.”

Prof. Dr. Dr. Matthias Gauly

President of the EAAP - The European Federation of Animal Science 

Rome, Italy