Perinatal Blood Gas and Acid‐Base Status of Caesarean‐derived Calves

Summary Blood gas and acid‐base status of 44 Caesarean‐derived calves (all in anterior presentation) were determined in blood samples obtained before the onset of extraction and after it. Calves were assigned to one of three groups according to their blood pH value: group 1 = normal, pH above 7.2; group 2 = slightly acidotic, pH 7.2 to 7.0; group 3 = severely acidotic, pH below 7.0. Before the onset of extraction (i.e. 4 to 5 hours after the appearance and spontaneous rupture of foetal membranes), 28 calves (63.6%) had normal acid‐base values, 10 (22.7%) had slight acidosis, and 6 (13.7%) had severe acidosis. Vigorous leg movements during extraction direct attention to the occurrence of severe acidosis. At birth the three groups of calves showed the following distribution: 22 (50%) were normal, 15 (34.1 %) had slight acidosis, and 7 (15.9%) had severe acidosis. The acid‐base balance of calves during extraction was mainly shifted to respiratory acidosis. During the first ten minutes after birth a tendency towards metabolic acidosis was observed. After ten minutes spontaneous normalization of respiratory and metabolic acidosis took place but the significant differences among the groups remained unchanged until 60 minutes after birth.