Client education

The client must be informed on how to properly assist in calving.  Assisted deliveries 
should not be attempted without proper training and preparation of facilities and 
equipment. The client should be instructed in how to properly use obstetrical chains. The 
obstretrical chains should be attached to the front legs of the calf, placing the loop of each 
chain around each leg. Placement of the chains should be around the pastern (below the 
dewclaw and above the hooves) with the looped chain on top of the hooves.  Careful 
attention to this placement when pulling on the chains will generally result in the least 
amount of damage to the calf.  Placing the chains above the fetlocks (above the 
dewclaws) with a half-hitch around the pastern can result in broken front leg(s). When 
pulling the chains, the client needs to make sure the chains donŐt slip. It is usually best to 
alternatately pull on one leg and then the other a few inches at a time. 

The client also needs to be educated on breeding of this heavily muscled breed of cattle. 
Heavy birth weights account for most of calving problems. Birth weights are influenced 
by breed of sire (Limousins are a very large breed), size of the bull, sex of the calf and 
age of the cow. The client should ensure that a large bull is not breed to a first-calf heifer 
or small adult cow. A first-calf heifer will have a smaller pelvic opening and will be more 
likely to have difficulty birthing a large calf.

If the client opts to attempt treatment of this calf, they need to be informed that the calf 
will most likely never be able to pass a breeding soundness exam and could not be used 
for natural breeding. The bull could potentially be used for on farm artificial 
insemination. Therapy will be expensive and long term. In addition, because the breeding 
status of this animal will not be known for about 2 years, itŐs quite possible that this 
animal could not be used for breeding purposes and the extensive therapy would not have 
been useful in enabling this animal to be used for breeding.