Animal Health & Welfare

In general, dystocia occurs when the size of the foetus is incompatible with the size of the pelvic opening of the cow, when the foetus is abnormally presented (breeched, head or foot back), or when the cow does not experience normal parturition due to weakness, stress or hormonal abnormalities.

 

However, many other factors may also influence the incidence of dystocia, and these factors can be split into two categories - factors affecting the size and shape of the calf and factors affecting the ability of the dam to give birth. The tabs to the left give information on these two groups of causes.