Veterinary Hospital Kohima Noting the date of crossing /mating and calculating the expected date of delivery is the first and foremost important step in care and management of the new born, because it is imperative that the farmers have to be present at the time of delivery of the new born animal. The new born animal encounter stress on arrival from the ideal condition of the uterus,therefore the newborn animal must be cared with affection and commitment at this point of time Some of the importantpoints the farmer need to manage are: 1. The shed of the expected animal is to be cleaned thoroughly 2/3 days prior to delivery with disinfectant solution 2. The pregnant mother requires energy during delivery and sometime left with no energy to push out the foetus. Therefore feeding of energy drink (glucose powder) in luke warm water is important 3. See whether the new born animal is breathing or not, and if the animal is not breathingthen take the necessary steps, such as rub the foetus with clean towel soaked in warm water to remove the birth membrane from nostril and mouth. And if the new born animal is still not breathing then jerk the new born by picking both the hind legs inupright position. Resuscitation measured such as compression and relaxation of the chest can be carried out 3. Tie the umbilical cord 2.5 cm away from the navel with a thick clean thread/bandage. Cut the cord at 1 cm below the tied position with a clean scissors/razor blade. Disinfect the exposed cut part by dipping in some disinfectant solution (Betadine/ tincture iodine /dettol etc. 5. Clean the udder of the mother with towel soak in luke warm water. Promote licking of the new born by the mother 6. Guide the new born to the udder and stimulate sucking. The first 12 hours of suckling by the new born is very important because the first milk/colostrum is rich in immunoglobulin. This immunoglobulin provides passive immunity to the new born in its early post-natal life till it produces endogenous antibodies at three (3) months of age 7. The first intestinal discharge of the new born is called the meconium. This meconium is usually voided 24-36 hours of birth. In case if .0 it is not voided in the 1st day the new born animal will show discomfort and colicsymptom. In such cases enema with a teaspoon of soda bicarbonate in 1 litre of lukewarm water can be helpful.
