Identification, care of pregnant

animals and care of neonatal

and young stock
 Identification of pregnant animals
Objectives
1. Identification of non pregnant animals
2. Improvement in management
3. Sale and purchase of animals, and
slaughter
4. Detection of infertility in animals and
associated problem for culling
5. Improving breeding efficiency
6. Increase economy of the dairy enterprise.
 Methods of identification of
pregnancy in Bovines
1. Rectal and abdominal palpation for physical
presence of foetus and foetal membrane besides
chemical methods.
2. X-ray technique application to confirm presence
of foetus
3. Ultrasonic wave study.
4. BaCl test of urine.
2

5. Detection of hormonal changes during pregnancy.

6. Detection of physical and behavioural maternal
changes in pregnancy and specific gravity/ NaoH
test of cervical mucus.
 Methods of identification of
pregnancy in sheep & Goat
1. Rectal palpation : it is physically impossible
2. Vaginal biopsy over 40 days of gestation :
Reasonably reliable to the extent of 97 % accuracy.
3. Ultrasonic technique at 100 days pregnancy:
Detection of foetal heart beat and swishing of
umbilical vessels as positive sign of pregnancy.
4. Hormonal assay: May prove useful practical and
yield reliable test of diagnosis.
5. Radiography: Application of radiography of
calcification of foetal bone more reliable and
accurate.
 Care of pregnant animals
1. Do not allow pregnant animals to walk long
distance particularly on uneven ground
2. Avoid transportation during long journey
3. Don't frighten them
4. Prevent fighting with other animals.
5. Don't chase or allow being chased by
others like dogs
6. Don't harass them to run fast.
7. Don't subject them to violent exercise.
8. Feed liberally on scientific basis with kind
treatment.
9. Provide adequate nutritive diet for need of
dam and foetal growth.
10. Don't excite them by teasing, abusing or
kicking or rough handling.
11.Allow them to go nearby pasture for grazin
as thus is the best method for their need
for exercise to remove limb s g tiffness,
keep thrifty and maintain good appetite
12. Don't allow them mix with aborted animals
13. Provide protection from extreme weather
14. Isolate pregnant animals in separate stall
15. Groom them twice daily and water twice a
day
16. Strictly avoid slippery condition in the
stall
17. Take all necessary care, close supervision
and regular watch of the expectant animal
during early stage and last one-third of the
gestation period. Care of neonatal and
young stock
 Care of neonatal and young stock

1. Care and management of the new born

commences before birth since its early intra-
uterine life.Management care calls for special
attention during different stages of the prenatal as
well as post natal life
2. Foetus may regarded as a parasite living within the
mother but most likely it may suffer from maternal
under nutrition which occur towards end of
gestation
3. A healthy and strong calf would not be borne in
absence of proper breeding and intrauterine
environment during pregnancy of the dam.
4.During prenatal stage the care of dam indirectly means
care for the neonate. Supply of nutrients in prenatal life
achieved in different stages of its development
especially histotrophic nutrition must be ensured
through mother by keeping the pregnant animal in well
fed condition.

5.The cow requires special attention during last two-thirds

of pregnancy before parturition as most of the growth
and development of the neonate occurs during this stage
of pregnancy.
6. The pregnant animal should be fed liberally at this stage
to enable her stand the normal strain of parturition as
also to contribute to the tissue growth of the young.
7. Soon after birth of the offspring removal of mucous from
nose and mouth should receive immediate attention
8. The wet-thin greasy membranes covering on the eyes
and part of body, if any, should be cleansed with hands
9. Such greasy membranes present in the mouth, should
be removed by introducing fingers, or blowing in the
mouth.
10. So long as the umbilical cord attachment is intact with
placenta there is little danger of asphyxia, but if it
detached and offspring does not breathe take care of
the calf's respiration immediately as it is a pointer to the
non - functional stage of lung since it is lungs which first
becomes actively functional, promptly use artificial
means and method of respiration by compressing and
relaxing chest walls with the hand.
11.If the mother does not show mothering ability due to
lack of mothering instinct, sprinkle a little salt or flour
over the calf to promote and encourage licking by the
mother. It would help the young one to dry soon and
act as sensory stimulation for it to start breathing.
12.After failure of such measure to induce licking better
clean the new born by rubbing on her body parts with
a new or thick clean soft piece of cloth or towel,
ensure removal of wet skin as quick drying off makes
the calf agile and helps it in his effort to get on its
feet, and avoid also the risk of catching a chill.
13.The natural orifices, especially the anus,
should then be examined. If the anus is
imperforate, a cross-wise surgical incision
should be made.
14.Navel cord treatment: If proper care is not
taken in cutting and disinfecting the navel
stump, a big abscess soon develops on this
part , and causes consideration harm to the
young one.
15.Under normal conditions , the young one
will try to stand itself and make its way
towards the udder to suck. It may have to
be helped on to the teats and taught to suck.
16.The young should receive colostrum from
its mother within hours of life. Colostrum
feeding should be continued for the first
days of life.
17.Dehorning of calves should be done
about a week or two old, and when the
horn button can be felt with fingures.
18. Identification of young one should be
done by different methods as early as
possible