Hot tips for pulling a difficult calf:
Take your time to do it right.
A normally presented calf (front feet and head first) normally has little pressure on the umbilical cord; that means THERE IS TIME to get it out right. Taking an extra 5 minutes to pull the calf once she is in the crush will not risk a truly viable calf but, excessive force can permanently damage heifers and calves.
Lube it up.
This cannot be under estimated.
Pull down.
Pull out and DOWN in a normally presented calf, this is the direction of least resistance. In a breach calf pull straight out until the back legs are delivered. Note: In a normal frontal presentation, the head must be manipulated to between both front legs. You can’t deliver a head back or a leg back calf.
Spin.
When the calf is half way out, begin spinning the entire calf so the head and shoulders are upside down. This encourages the calf’s hips to enter the maternal hips on the diagonal; the greatest diameter; reducing the risk of hip-lock.
NSAIDS.
Follow up difficult pulls with anti-inflammatories, this a cheap investment in heifer recovery.
Call it early.
If you need help, call it early to improve outcomes.
Check your stocks:
Meloxicam long-acting anti-inflammatory. Give immediately after a difficult pull.
Long acting ocytetracycline for bad tears, rotten calves and retained membranes (penetrates the reproductive tract, penicillin doesn’t).
Obstetrical lube.
New calving ropes: we’ve gone back to ropes instead of chains because they are softer on newborn legs and machine washable. Swap them out when they get old.
Image via PWC Australia