Christiaan Blignaut, 7 June 2025 Morning. I have a cow with dystocia, am in urgent need of a dart combination that doesn't include Thianil. I have no access to Thianil – only M99, medetomidine, azaperone, ketamine are available. Any other advice on how to remove the calf etc. would be great. Joel Alves I remember a discussion some time back with some experience of others (not mine). Immobilize as normal and load into a giraffe chariot/trailer, if you have access, and then work the calf out. You should be able to work with her awake whilst keeping yourself safe, if you are clever with the poles and the chariot design works out. Perhaps those that have utilised that method will be able to comment again on exact methods and cocktails etc., but this is an option to think about. Christiaan Blignaut Thanks Joel, appreciate it! But I need a cocktail that doesn't contain Thianil What about BAM? Hendrik Hansen Use M99 2 mg + medetomidine 12-16 mg. You can then keep her in lateral recumbency quite safely. I see 3 legs hanging out in the picture - the calf might be quite rotten. Run 5 L liquid paraffin in with a stomach tube next to the calf and then pull, hopefully it comes out easily. Flush uterus with povidone iodine, if the calf is rotten, and then cover with Terramycin LA. This is never easy, but definitely give it a try. Antagonise with 10 ml of atipamezole/yohimbine mixture and naltrexone . If these are not available, then do the induction with M99 4 mg + medetomidine 4 mg. You need only give naltrexone or diprenorphine as reversal . Christiaan Blignaut Thanks HH! This sounds like my best option.What is the Ketofen dose for a giraffe? Hendrik Hansen Christiaan, I will use same as cattle dose I think it is 1ml per 33kg Ben Muller I would rather give flunixin here for the anti-endotoxic effect if the calf is rotten. HH dose would be great – you can also give some yohimbine IM/IV if she’s quite deep, but just make sure there is someone over the top of the neck Christiaan Blignaut The situation was unexpected, so my drug options are limited. Only Ketofen available. Hendrik Hansen Induction might take slightly longer, but you can approach her quite quickly and might need to rope her to get her to fall. Once down, it is a lot safer to keep her down for the procedure. There is usually no need to give antagonists until finished with the procedure. A lot safer for you as well. You will probably not need to top up, but if needed, you can use ketamine at 250 mg increments iv as needed about until 90 minutes. You can then add 2 mg medetomidine iv with the ketamine if needed, but as I said, not likely to need any top up before 90 minutes. Christiaan Blignaut HH - got it out! The cow never dropped, but stood long enough to 'lasso' the calf and pull it out. Hendrik Hansen, 8 June 2025 👍👍
