While we hope most cows will successfully calve unassisted this spring, it pays for farmers to be prepared to step in when necessary.

Generally, cows should take only 30 minutes to one hour to calve, while heifers can take around two to three hours. If your girls are not making progress within these timeframes, you may need to intervene.

As large animal vets for West Coast Vets, we have had plenty of experience navigating calving difficulties and have some top tips to help your assisted calvings go more smoothly this season.

The most important thing to remember is if you are assisting a cow to calve and have made no progress after 10 minutes, call your vet for a hand. Time is of the essence to give both cow and calf the best chance of a good outcome.

Before you step in, make sure you are wearing gloves to prevent spreading any bacteria and use plenty of lube to make things easier and protect the cow. Then, try to determine if the calf is coming forwards or backwards, and where the legs and the head are.

If you can see legs but are unsure if they’re front or back ones, look out for a C or Z shape. The joints of the front leg bend in the same direction, forming a C shape, while the joints of the back leg bend in the opposite direction, forming a Z shape. If there are two front legs and no head, the calf’s head may be bent backwards.

In a head-back situation, head ropes could be used to re-position the calf into the proper birthing position – two front legs followed by a forward-facing head. Care must be taken to never place the rope around only the jaw, as the calf may still be alive and the pulling pressure can break the jaw. Instead, place the rope behind the ears and then through the mouth. Getting the rope behind both ears is the biggest factor in getting a calf’s head facing the right way again.

Leg ropes or chains can be used to assist a cow that is having trouble moving her calf. Always loop the chain above the calf’s fetlock and place a half hitch below it, as this reduces the chance of breaking the calf's leg. Use gentle traction and don’t pull on both legs at once. Switching between alternate legs can help move the calf through the birthing canal.

Once the calf has been born, always look for spares and tears. Even if she has had twins, it is worthwhile checking for a third...you never know! Also, check the cow for any damage. Moving the calf’s head or legs to correct its presentation can mean sharp teeth or hooves scratch across the uterine wall, and using ropes or chains and pulling can cause injury. Don't forget to consider a pain relief post-calving to help the cow recover.

It’s important to closely monitor recently calved cows to ensure they are recovering. Normally, the placenta will be delivered within six hours of calving. However, if only a small part of the placenta comes away, the cow may need a vet check.

If her uterus prolapses, call your vet straight away as this is an emergency. It’s vital to try keep her calm and clean until they arrive. If she is down, don’t give her any metabolics yet, as if she jumps up and runs away the uterus can tear and cause her to bleed out.

Our final tip: vets love warm water, especially on those cool spring mornings! Grab a couple of buckets if you’ve called your vet out and they’ll appreciate it.

By Nadine Savage (BVSc) & Laurence Cohen (BVM&S)

West Coast Vets, Greymouth