100 BOVINE OBSTETRICS 



Definition. — This disease occurs occasionally in cows which 

 ha\ e calved repeatedly, more rarely in heifers, several days or 

 weeks before parturition, and is characterized by a more or less 

 complete paralysis of the hindquarters, so that the animal is 

 unable to rise. 



^tiotogy. — The following disturbances and diseases, in 

 which the cow cannot rise, must be distinguished from para- 

 plegia ante partum. 



1. Cows well advanced in pregnancy become cast by lying 

 too close to the feeding trough or partition. Such auimals 

 make vain attempts, since they cannot extend head and neck 

 sufficiently to get upon the knees. We must think of it while 

 conducting an examination and pull the patient back in order 

 to furnish her more favorable conditions. It also happens 

 that the cow is so utterly exhausted after making persistent and 

 fruitless efforts to rise, that a few hours of rest are necessary 

 before she will get up. 



2. Great debility of a pregnant cow. This may be caused 

 by gestatiou, hydrallantois, ascites, but also from insufficient 

 nutriment. It can hardly be difficult to recognize such states ; 

 at the same time I refer to the different chapters dealing with 

 those subjects. 



3. Fractures, luxations and contusions may occur in preg- 

 nant animals and make it impossible for them to rise. A 

 thorough examination, where we must not omit to roll the 

 patient over in order to inspect all parts, may establish the 

 presence of such lesions. 



4. Osteomalacia. Cows with osteomalacia, which has 

 become worse during pregnancy, may remain down before 

 birth, without suffering with fractures (St. Cyr and Violet). 

 The course of the disease, the knowledge of the setiological 

 moments and their effects upon other animals of the same 

 stable, will throw light upon the case. But there are patients 

 not suffering with any of the above named disturbances or dis- 

 eases, and yet paraplegia ante partum is present. -The disease 

 only occurs a few days before parturition and is caused by au 

 infiltration of the lumbar and pelvic muscles. Although this infil- 



