Dystocia Prevention and Control
By Maura Keller
When cattle ranchers hear the word “dystocia,” they understand the significant impact this condition can have on both cow and calf alike. American Cattlemen connected with Dr. Travis White, DVM, director of veterinary technical services at Saskatoon Colostrum Company, to provide ranchers with a betting a better understanding of dystocia and how they can control and prevent dystocia in their own herds.
American Cattlemen: What is dystocia and how prevalent is it?
Travis White: Dystocia is a term used to describe difficulty during calving, which is a key concern for cattle ranchers. It happens when the dam is unable to deliver a calf naturally, often due to factors like fetal-maternal size mismatch or improper positioning. For instance, a calf that’s too large for the cow’s pelvis, or one that’s positioned backwards or with the head turned to the side, can lead to a difficult birth. This is especially common in heifers, who may have a smaller pelvic area and less birthing experience.
As far as prevalence, dystocia is fairly common, particularly among heifers. The prevalence in heifers can range from 10% to 25%, meaning about one in four may experience difficulty during calving. In contrast, mature cows typically have lower rates of dystocia, around 2% to 5%.
However, these numbers can vary wildly depending on factors like breed, nutrition, and management practices.
AC: What are some of the key ways of controlling dystocia?
TW: Managing dystocia requires a combination of good breeding decisions, careful nutrition, and close monitoring during calving.
One of the most important factors is choosing the right bulls. Ranchers should select sires that are known to produce calves with moderate to low birth weights, especially when breeding heifers. There’s a strong genetic component to calf size, so selecting bulls with good calving ease scores can significantly reduce the likelihood of dystocia.
First-calf heifers are at the highest risk for dystocia. Ranchers should pay special attention to heifer selection by choosing females with larger pelvic areas and better reproductive traits. Monitoring body condition is also key, as overfeeding heifers can lead to oversized calves, increasing the chance of calving difficulty.
Proper nutrition during gestation also is critical. Overfeeding, especially in the later stages of pregnancy, can lead to excessive calf growth, which increases the risk of dystocia. On the other hand, underfeeding can weaken cows, making it harder for them to give birth. Striking the right nutritional balance helps ensure both the cow and calf are in optimal condition for calving.
Close monitoring of cows during calving season, particularly heifers, is essential. Ranchers should be prepared to assist when needed. Early intervention when a cow is showing signs of dystocia – like prolonged labor without progress – can prevent serious complications. Using calving pens and having experienced hands on deck can help ensure a safe delivery.
In some operations, measuring the pelvic area can be a useful tool when selecting replacement heifers prior to breeding. This helps identify those with small pelvic sizes that may have trouble calving and can be excluded from breeding or bred to bulls known for small calves.
By combining these strategies, ranchers can effectively manage and reduce the incidence of dystocia, leading to healthier cows and calves, and ultimately a more productive herd.
AC: Are there tell-tale signs of dystocia early on that ranchers can watch for?
TW: Yes, there are definitely a few key signs that ranchers can watch for, especially during the critical calving season. Recognizing these early can make a big difference in providing timely assistance and avoiding complications.
One of the clearest indicators is when labor goes on longer than expected. Typically, once a cow or heifer’s water breaks, she should deliver the calf within 30 minutes to an hour. If more than an hour passes without significant progress, it’s a strong sign that she may be experiencing dystocia and needs help.
Normally, the calf should come out headfirst with both front feet forward. If you see a single foot, the tail, or no visible part of the calf after a period of labor, it suggests that the calf is in an abnormal position, which can cause dystocia.
If the cow is straining or pushing hard but nothing is happening, it’s likely there’s an obstruction or the calf is too large to pass through. Continuous straining with no progress is a key red flag for producers. Sometimes, cows will show signs of distress or discomfort before labor begins. If a cow isolates herself, lies down and gets up repeatedly, or seems restless for an extended period without starting active labor, it may indicate that something is off.
In normal deliveries, once the front feet or head are visible, the rest of the calf should follow fairly quickly. If there’s a long gap between the visible parts of the calf emerging or if progress seems stalled, it could signal dystocia.
Being attentive to these signs allows ranchers to step in early, which can reduce stress on both the cow and calf. If any of these signs are observed, it’s often best to intervene quickly or call for veterinary assistance to prevent further complications.
AC: What type of long-term effects may occur in cows as a result of dystocia?
TW: One of the biggest concerns is the impact on the cow’s future fertility. Cows that experience severe dystocia are more likely to have delayed return to estrus, which can extend the time between calvings. In more serious cases, uterine damage or infections can develop, reducing the cow’s ability to conceive again. This can lead to lower reproductive efficiency and higher costs for the producer.
Cows that experience dystocia once, particularly if the cause was pelvic size or anatomical issues, are more likely to have dystocia in subsequent births. This is especially true if the cow’s pelvis is too small or if there were complications like uterine tears.
During a difficult calving, excessive straining or forced extraction can lead to injuries such as uterine prolapse or tearing of the reproductive tract. These injuries often require veterinary intervention and can have long-term effects on the cow’s reproductive system and general health.
Cows that go through a tough birthing process may be more prone to postpartum health issues, such as infections or retained placentas, which can affect their milk production. If a cow struggles to recover after dystocia, her energy may be diverted from lactation to healing, leading to lower milk output and reduced calf growth.
Unfortunately, cows that experience dystocia are at a higher risk of being culled from the herd. Whether due to reproductive issues, long recovery periods, or overall poor health, these cows often struggle to meet the production standards expected in commercial operations. Producers may decide to remove them from the herd if they don’t recover efficiently or become unproductive.
Cows that experience dystocia are at greater risk for conditions like metritis (inflammation of the uterus), retained placenta, and infections. These issues can prolong the postpartum recovery period and make the cow more vulnerable to illness, which may affect her long-term productivity.
And that’s just for the cows! Dystocia can significantly impact calf viability, with the severity of the birthing difficulty playing a major role. When calves face prolonged or difficult births, several outcomes can affect their survival and overall health.
Calves born from dystocia have a higher risk of stillbirth or neonatal death. During a prolonged labor, the calf can suffer from oxygen deprivation, which can lead to complications like brain damage or death before it’s even born. Studies suggest that calf mortality rates are significantly higher when dystocia is involved, particularly if intervention is delayed.
Even if the calf survives the birth, it may be born weak or stressed. Oxygen deprivation during a difficult delivery can result in calves being sluggish or unable to stand and nurse quickly, which is critical in the first few hours of life. These calves are more susceptible to infections, scours (diarrhea), and other health issues.
Calves that struggle during birth may have difficulty nursing right away, which is a critical concern. They need to consume colostrum—the first milk rich in antibodies—within the first few hours to build immunity. If dystocia delays nursing, the calf’s immune system is compromised, leaving it vulnerable to diseases early on.
Calves born from dystocia often face long-term setbacks in terms of growth. They may start out smaller or weaker, and this early disadvantage can translate into slower weight gain and lower weaning weights. This can be costly for producers, as these calves may take longer to reach market weight or may not perform as well overall.
Because dystocia calves often have weakened immune systems and delayed access to colostrum, they’re at a higher risk of respiratory and digestive issues, like pneumonia or scours. This can require extra veterinary care and may lead to higher morbidity rates in the herd.
To mitigate these risks, ranchers need to be vigilant during calving, especially with heifers or cows at higher risk for dystocia. Quick intervention and post-birth care can improve calf outcomes, helping to ensure they have the best chance at survival and healthy growth.
AC: Any other key considerations that producers need to consider as it relates to preventing/controlling dystocia?
TW: I think the biggest impacts we can have on preventing/controlling dystocia come from mitigating risk and being prepared.
To effectively manage dystocia, producers should monitor body condition scores (BCS) to avoid cows being too fat or too thin, ensure heifers calve at an appropriate age (around 2 years old), and select heifers with good pelvic conformation. Proper nutrition and pre-calving vaccinations are essential for maintaining cow health, and using calving ease bulls with favorable genetics can significantly reduce dystocia risks.
Additionally, having well-equipped calving facilities, a dedicated calving watch team, and post-calving care are vital for preventing complications and ensuring both cow and calf health. Get prepared before the fight!
Gather the supplies you will in an emergency long before the first calf is born. Have a dedicated area where this equipment and supplies are readily accessible. Head lamp, bucket, lube, obstetrical chains and handles, disinfectant, OB gloves, latex gloves, and calf puller to name a few. Throw those altogether and have them ready at moment’s notice. Gather your after-care supplies: again another clean bucket, colostrum replacer, esophageal feeder, iodine to dip the navel, bulb syringe to evacuate mucus from the nose, clean towels, and your veterinarians contact information.
Again, managing dystocia is about prevention and preparation.
