C⁴ E4: Vaginal Prolapse Repair
*WARNING: GRAFFIC CONTENT in video*
Not shown in the video: Lidocaine caudal epidural before I started
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Around halfway through the second period of pregnancy, cows have an increasing risk of vaginal prolapse throughout the rest of gestation. This is due to increased abdominal pressure from the combination of a growing fetus, stomach fill (especially hay), and loosening of the muscles and ligaments in the vulvar area from pregnancy hormones. Vaginal prolapses occur before calving, while uterine prolapses occur after calving (typically immediately after calving when the placenta is delivered).
Vaginal prolapse repair is typically a salvage procedure to hold the vagina in long enough to get the cow to slaughter. While there can be options to repair that can allow a calf to pass through the birth canal, I find that these can lead to further complications and are not as secure at holding things in place. I prefer a Buhner stitch because it is more secure, but needs to be removed before calving. Most beef producers are not monitoring individual cows 24/7, so I normally recommend culling these animals as soon as possible. If the stitch is not removed timely before calving, risk of death of both cow and calf are very high. Unlike a uterine prolapse, which is unlikely to reoccur, once a cow has a vaginal prolapse, they are likely to have them in each subsequent pregnancy. Vaginal prolapses are also hereditary, so females born from cows that have a history of vaginal prolapse are more at risk for this.
Prevalence for vaginal prolapses are low, but some breeds are more at risk (Herefords).
#vetgram #cowvet
C⁴E3: Processing calves.
Ideal timing for vaccinations in calves is a few weeks before weaning. This offers the best chance for vaccine efficacy. When calves are processed and can go back to their dam (mother), this limits the spike of cortisol from the stress of separation. Cortisol impairs the immune system and its ability to react to vaccine and create antibodies appropriately. Administering vaccine before weaning also gives time for those antibodies to form and become effective before calves are at the highest risk for respiratory disease after weaning.
I typically administer a dewormer for GI parasites and topical pesticide for flies, lice, and ticks at this time.
Ideally, bull calves are castrated around 1 month of age or sooner, but these were done at this time, too. The younger calves are castrated, the easier it is on them for recovery and the less risk there is for blood loss and other complications.
The last calf shown is getting its horns tipped. I use a lidocaine nerve block and typically administer an anti-inflammatory when dehorning or tipping horns for pain management.
C⁴E2: Reproductive Tract Scoring (RTS) and measuring pelvic areas of yearling heifers. This is done pre-breeding along with vaccinations +/- internal and external parasite control. These measurements help cull animals that are not suited for breeding at a time when they are most valuable to sell or divert into finishing for beef. Removing heifers that do not meet the minimum pelvic area from the breeding herd greatly reduces the chances of dystocia (difficulty calving) and emergency veterinary visits to pull calves. Preventative care is incredibly valuable!
Note: This footage was taken in the fall (pre-breeding) for a fall-calving herd, but is still relevant in the spring as this is the time for measuring heifers in spring-calving herds.
