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PRINCIPLES OF VETERINARY SCIENCE 



results from the strain of lactation rather than from the effect 

 of gestation. 



Normal parturition is the act of giving birth to the fetus (now 

 called the foal, calf, lamb, or pig) . When occurring in the mare 

 it is designated foaling; in the cow, calving; in the ewe, lambing, 

 and in the sow, farrowing. The following signs of parturition 

 may be evident a week or more before parturition occurs. A straw- 

 colored fluid oozes from the teats of the swollen udder, where it 



Fig. 52. — Position of fetal foal at parturition. The normal, anterior presen- 

 tation with the fore feet and head entering the genital canal. (Fleming.) 



dries and forms a wax-like mass over the orifices of the teat. The 

 milk secretion sets in and may become so profuse that it drips 

 from the teats or escapes in a stream. The mouth of the womb 

 dilates; the lips of the vulva become swollen, congested, and 

 stand apart; the mare becomes uneasy and nervous as a result 

 of the onset of labor pains; the "water bag" or amnion filled with 

 a clear fluid appears. Under normal conditions foaling is accom- 

 plished rapidly and with but slight discomfort to the mare. 



The fetus should normally come with the fore feet first and the 

 nose between the knees (Fig. 52), or may have the hind feet 

 presented first. In either case it is wise to let nature take her 

 course and not interfere, even if the process seems to be unusually 



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