NOTES ON PARTURITION.

New Zealand Journal of Agriculture, Volume XIII, Issue 2, 21 August 1916, Page 136

NOTES ON PARTURITION.

A. M. PATERSON, M.R.C.V.S., Veterinarian

Well-raised, properly fed. farm animals pass through the ordeal of parturition with very little risk to themselves or loss to their owners if during ' the operation they are not too hastily interfered with. It is the instinct of a pregnant animal as parturition approaches to seek a quiet corner where she may be alone. Bustle, excitement, and interference at this ‘time may all mean loss.

Dairy cows at calving-time should be kept by themselves in’} a ,small paddock near the homestead, where they may be watched ; and when the important event begins it should be 'allowed to proceed without even an attendant being seen or heard. On no account should he break the membranes that first appear, as they and their contained fluid act as a natural distender which makes the free - and uninterrupted passage of the offspring easy. Attendants may imagine •by breaking the membranes they are making an outlet for the calf, &c., but this is an utterly' mistaken notion. When the membranes rupture early of their own accord, or are deliberately torn, then the offspring has to be forced through a contracted avenue, and more than likely some of the members will stick, and give rise to considerable trouble, which may end in the loss of a valuable animal and its' offspring. What has been said in regard to the cow is applicable to all animals. If it is thought that an animal requires some assistance, it can be given without rupturing the. membranes. A little thought is all that is needed to discover how 'this may be accomplished.

If after .calving, lambing, or foaling the afterbirth does not come away immediately there is no cause for anxiety. If it is still retained after a few hours it will be necessary to decide what is

to be done. In the case of the cow, there will be no urgency if the animal is to all appearance well and willing to eat. In fact, the case may be left to nature so long as the cow keeps up her full milk-supply and continues to chew her cud, although the protruding membrane must be kept sweet and clean by frequent washings with a non-poisonous antiseptic. In the case of mares, however, the membrane must be removed within a few hours after foaling. If it is left for more than twenty-four hours the animal may become foundered and die.

If the owner does not know how to proceed with the removal of the membrane himself, he should get the nearest veterinary surgeon to do it for him. If no qualified veterinary surgeon is available, he should seek the assistance of one of those observant, instinctively wise, and handy men to be found in most districts, and whom veterinary lecturers make a point of coaching in just such matters as the one now being discussed. If a farmer has to interfere in any of these operations he should safeguard himself against inoculation by a liberal use of antiseptics, and he should abstain from such operations as castration for at least a few days, otherwise he will run unnecessary risk of losing a considerable percentage of the animals operated on. Coolness, cleanliness, antiseptics, and lubricants are essentials in all parturition cases.

In regard to dairy cows that,.have had more than three calves, milk-fever should always be guarded against, and this is best done by not allowing heavy milkers to approach calving in too high condition. Prevention of disease has now become the chief aim of all branches of medicine, and, besides being infinitely easier than treating it when it does occur, it, is very much more profitable. Milk-fever is an easily, preventable disease, and the simple precaution which ' has been given regarding. it, if followed out by dairy-farmers, would secure them much profit where hitherto they have suffered serious loss.

The Black Minorcas topped all the light breeds in egg-production at Ruakura last season, being about 5 per cent, ahead of the White Leghorns, which came second. The Ruakura Black Minorca strain has been specially developed during the last few years.

Eucalyptus Macarthuri, apart from its timber qualities, makes excellent firewood, burning almost like coal. Moreover, it does not crack in the fire, and is thus safer than many woods for the open hearth. 1

A good early start was made with incubation at the Ruakura poultry plant this season, several vigorous lots of chicks having been hatched early in July. The Poultry Overseer hopes to finish incubating in, September. • . - .