Correlation between clinical and laboratory diagnostic evaluation of the vitality of newborn calves under particular consideration of length and typeof parturition

Making use of the established APGAR-score and taking into consideration the method and duration of parturition, the aim of this work is to provide a c linically detailed description of the vital signs of newborn calves. Altogether, 98 mature calves were provided by the clinic for this study, 50 of which could be developed per vias naturales, the remaining 48 were born per sectio caesarea. Apart from clinically interpreting the vital signs of the neonates, the pH value, current base excess and the CO2 pressure in th e venous blood were monitored. Due to the results obtained from the initial observations, the newborn calves could be clearly divided into distinct cl asses of vitality. Summarized, the results can be given as follows: The length and the method of parturition both significantly influence the d egree of the vitality of the mature neonate. In the event of a protracted d elivery, sectio caesarea influences the vitality much more positively than a difficult birth per vias naturales. The clinical examination involving th e APGAR scheme and the results of blood-gas-analysis of the neonates correl ate to some extent. The newborn carves appear to be less active after a pro longed delivery or after parturition per sectio caesarea than can be clinic ally confirmed by blood-gas-analysis.