Assessment of Calving Progress and Reference Times for Obstetric Intervention during Dystocia in Holstein Dairy Cows

Abstract

Dystocia has been defined as a difficult birth resulting in prolonged calving or severe assisted extraction of the calf at birth. Dystocia increased the incidence of stillbirths and calf mortality (within 30 days post-calving), increased the likelihood of trauma on the dam (i.e., paresis), increased uterine disorders (e.g., metritis), and decreased milk yield. To reduce the sequelae resulting from dystocia, training dairy personnel on calving management should be a top priority. The educational program should provide clear recommendations to participants on the signs of imminent birth over time (e.g., calving progress), when and how it is appropriate to intervene, and hygiene practices, among others. The objectives of this observational study were: 1) to assess the time from the appearance of the amniotic sac (AS) or feet outside the vulva to birth in cows with (dystocia) or without assistance (eutocia) at calving, and 2) to estimate reference times for obstetric intervention in Holstein cows that need assistance during difficult births.