Before Parturition

• Farmers should maintain the breeding record of animals- date of insemination or natural breeding. It will also help in calculating the expected date of parturition.

• If an animal does not come to heat after breeding or insemination, do not treat the animal for anestrus without confirming the pregnancy status.

• Protect animals from the thermal stress and do not frighten the animals.

• The pregnant animals should be kept separately from animals with history of abortion or brucellosis.

• Pregnant animals should be kept away from aggressive animals in the herd and such animals should not be chased by dogs.

• The floor of pregnant animals should be non-slippery and free from any sharp objects.

• The hoofs of pregnant animals should be trimmed off regularly.

• Maintain hygienic conditions around the animals and dung and urine should be removed once voided.

• Provide moderate exercise to the animal as it will help in easy parturition.

• Confirmed pregnant animals should be given balanced ration (a mix of leguminous fodder and concentrate) and free access to water.

• During the first three months, protein in the diet should not be more than recommended.

• Maintain individual animal production records so that feeding requirements of animals can be planned accordingly. The dietary requirement of animals changes with the stages of gestation. Therefore, for feeding a balanced ration to pregnant animals during different stages a veterinarian should be consulted.

• Pregnant animals should be given a dry period of at least 60 days before the expected date of parturition.

• Regularly massage the udder of the animals during dry periods. Farmers should also examine for lump or calculi in the udder or teat and consult a veterinarian accordingly.

• High yielding animals and animals during first calving are susceptible to milk fever. Therefore, to overcome this animal should be given high doses of vitamin D during the last week of pregnancy. The diet provides enough minerals and calcium by bone meal.

• Extra care about the diet of pregnant animals is required during the last trimester of pregnancy as the foetus grows rapidly and rumen volume decreases due to growing foetus. The balanced ration should be formulated after consultation with the veterinarian. One kg extra concentrated during the last 8 weeks of gestation is usually given to the animal.

• About 3-5 days before the expected date of parturition, a laxative is fed to the animal for ease in calving (wheat bran 3 kg, 0.5 g groundnut cake and 100 g mineral mixture of salt.

• Parturition signs should be observed closely. These signs are- udder becomes large and distended, swelling of vulva, thick mucus discharge from vulva, restlessness and uneasiness in the animal, frequent urination etc. On observation of these signs, the animal should be shifted to a calving pen or calving box which should be clean, disinfected and bedded with clean, soft and absorbent litter.

• The teat or udder should be washed with hot water with mild disinfectant to avoid any infection to the udder, as after parturition it starts milking.

• Deworming may be done 3-4 week prior to parturition.

During and After Parturition

• Observe the animal from a distance carefully and do not disturb the animal. Normally animals give birth without any difficulty within 2-4 hours.

• Farmers should inform local veterinarian or para-veterinarian about the signs of parturition in advance so that required help can be obtained in case of emergency.

• In case of difficulty or delay in parturition, contact a veterinarian for help.

• Placenta should be expelled by the animal normally within 2-4 hours. But if the placenta is not expelled even after 8-12 hours a veterinarian must be contacted.

• The dam should not consume the placenta and the placenta should be disposed of well.

• After parturition, the tail and external genitalia of the animal should be cleaned and the floor should be washed with disinfectant to avoid the flies. Potassium permanganate solution in lukewarm water is preferred.

• Normally the dam cleans the calf by licking. In case it does not, farmers may assist. The mucosa must be cleaned from the nostrils first, then from the face and other parts of the body.

• Colostrum- First milk of the cow must be fed to the calf within 2 hours. Farmers should assist the calf in standing and bring the mouth of the calf closer to the test for sucking.

• Slightly warm water and molasses should be offered to the dam. The dietary requirement of the dam should be met with a balanced diet.

• The dam should be observed for milk fever. Hygiene should be maintained around the dam.

• In case a farmer brings an animal for treatment of anestrus, ask the farmer about the history of breeding. If an animal was bred or inseminated recently, first confirm the status of pregnancy and then decide about the treatment of the animal.

• Advice the farmers about the balanced ration during different stages of pregnancy.

• If the presentation of the fetus is not normal, inform the owner of the animal in advance about the chances of dystocia and cesarean section.

• The cases of dystocia and caesarean section must be handled by a qualified veterinarian.

• If there is history of abortion in herd, advice farmer to separate the pregnant animal from other animals in herd.

• Drugs given to the pregnant animal should be safe for the pregnant animal. Therefore, before starting any treatment to the pregnant animal, safety of drugs for the foetus and dam should be ensured.

• If the pregnant animal has not expelled the placenta then observe the animal for any sign of illness. In case of illness, give systemic treatment with antibiotics.