Troubles in Calving.

Putaruru Press, Volume VI, Issue 248, 2 August 1928, Page 4

Troubles in Calving.

HOME TREATMENT. Ways of Presentation. Seasonal advice on calving troubles ■was given to farmers by Mr. C. V. Dayus, Government veterinarian, when addressing the Morrinsville branch of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union on Saturday. One of the biggest mistakes made was pulling the first part of the calf’s body that appeared, he said. Unless the calf was presented head and forefeet first or both hind legs first difficulties occurred. To find which leg was which, the bone between the hock and knee in the foreleg was widest from side to side'and in the front leg from top to bottom. When the calf was in the proper position the rope should be tied below the fetlock and gentle pressure applied. When the hindquarters were presented and the legs were underneath the rope should be tied on to each leg and alternate pressure applied, care being taken to keep the hand ion the hock and press it backward. The speaker dealt at length with ways of getting the correct presentation. If the head was turned backwards a hook should be fitted in the eye socket and steady pressure applied. If this was done correctly the eyeball would not be affected. Where the after-birth was retained a laxative dose should be applied, but no manual effort should be made until

after three days. The matter was then hardened to some extent. Where a portion was left hanging outside a weight was sometimes' tied, but this was useless. When the matter was removed manually a weak antiseptic wash should first be applied by means of a tube or funnel, the fluid later being syphoned out. About a gallon should be used. The cleaning could then be removed by gently winding round a couple of sticks, and the uterus again irrigated. There was a proper veterinary method, but it was an operation he did not advise the ordinary farmer to attempt.