Obstetrical Paralysis in the Cow. 



This is a condition which follows only those cases 

 of parturition in which the calf is exceedingly large, 

 or cases of dystokia, during the correction of which 

 the cow is subjected to prolonged handling and bruis- 

 ing. It is rarely, if ever, seen after normal delivery 

 or after cases of minor dystokia. 



The ideal circumstances for the development of 

 this condition consist in prolonged labor due to an 

 abnormally large fetus. The usual history is that the 

 cow was down during the birth and has not been able 

 to get up since, or that she went down very soon after 

 the calf was delivered and is unable to arise. 



These cases can not very easily be confused with 

 parturient paresis because the entire symptomatology 

 in obstetrical paralysis is confined to the inability of 

 the cow to get up. In every other way the animal is 

 normal ; no sign of coma or indisposition in the least. 

 The animal eats and drinks and looks well in every 

 way. The most careful examination will bring ' out 

 nothing of value in diagnosis, except that usually the 

 tumefied condition of the vulva gives evidence of the 

 difficult labor. 



The history in these cases determines the diag- 

 nosis : A very large calf ; much pulling ; long time in 

 effecting delivery. Sometimes these cases supervene 

 on cases of dystokia which the veterinarian himself 

 has been called to relieve and it is on this point that 

 I want to call especial attention in this chapter. 



It has been my experience that obstetrical paraly- 

 sis will not develop in these cases where the cow, if 



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