gms | German Medical Science

4th InVeST – International Veterinary Simulation in Teaching Conference

14.09. - 16.09.2015, Hannover

Development of a low cost cow dystocia model

Meeting Abstract

Search Medline for

  • corresponding author presenting/speaker Annett Annandale - Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria South Africa, Pretoria, South Africa
  • Liezl Kok - Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria South Africa, Pretoria, South Africa
  • Elrien Scheepers - Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria South Africa, Pretoria, South Africa

InVeST 2015: International Veterinary Simulation in Teaching Conference. Hannover, 14.-16.09.2015. Düsseldorf: German Medical Science GMS Publishing House; 2015. Doc15invest34

doi: 10.3205/15invest34, urn:nbn:de:0183-15invest349

Published: September 10, 2015

© 2015 Annandale et al.
This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License. See license information at http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/.


Outline

Text

Handling of bovine dystocia cases is a day one competency for veterinary graduates. For training purposes, obstetrical manipulations can be performed on abattoir or model calves. These procedures are usually done on tables were students can see which malpresentation, -position or -posture is present. It is however desirable to have students perform obstetrical manipulations blindly. An obstetrical examination leading to a diagnosis and management plan of the existing dystocia, as well as placing of ropes and other equipment while one can not see the calf in the birth canal can be challenging. Hands-on training opportunities for undergraduate veterinary students are limited and not every final year student has sufficient opportunity to perform the procedures. There are cow dystocia models commercially available but these are costly. Therefore an attempt was made to produce a low cost cow dystocia model that can be used with a dystocia calf model (Veterinary Simulator Industries, Canada). An existing steel frame was modified into a Holstein Friesian cow dystocia model. A removable dragon skin perineum was designed and a canvas uterus was made to certain specifications by a tent manufacturer. The canvas uterus has a full length zip lock on the dorsal surface for easy access and cleaning and can be removed from the steel frame. The birth canal was simulated by a narrowing with a 50 cm diameter within the steel frame. A large plastic garden refuse bin was cut into half, spray painted and attached to the sides of the steel frame using hinges for mobility. A black and white rope tail was attached to finish off the “Holstein Friesian look”. This model has proven to be usable and real enough, and to fulfill the main objective of handling a bovine dystocia blindly.