1.4.1 Parturition Flashcards
how can we predict parturition?
- Use of dates
- Progesterone drop
- Use of physical changes
- Behavioural changes
physical changes associated with impending parturition
– Relaxation of pelvic ligaments
– Poor tail tone
– Filling of udder
– Filling of teats
– Drop in body temperature
bitch gestation length
– 63 days +/- 1 day, from ovulation
queen gestation length
- Queen – 58-68 days
cow gestation length
278-293 days
mare gestation length
341 days +/- 2-3 weeks!!
ewe gestation length
144-151
doe gestation length
147-155
Progesterone drop is how accurate for predicting parturition in the cow? is this practical?
In cow, P4<1 ng/ml is 99% accurate in predicting parturition in next 12 hrs
– Expensive, not practical
what is the prepartum progesterone drop associated with in the bitch?
In bitch, drop in P4 prepartum is seen as a drop in rectal temperature of 1-2 degrees C
can we use a prepartum progesterone drop to predict parturition in the mare?
Not useful in mare – too close, too unpredictable
Physical Signs of Impending Parturition for cow
Changes in body shape
* Mammary gland development
* Milk vein engorgement
* Poor tail tone
Signs of Impending Parturition - Mares
- Relaxation of pelvic ligaments
- Belly drops
- Mammary gland development
- Milk vein engorgement
- Milk electrolyte and pH changes
- Expulsion of mucus plug from cervix
- Filling of the teats
- Waxing
- Lengthening of the vulva
how do the udder and teats of a mare change as parturition approaches?
Growth of the udder occurs in the last 2 –4 weeks
Waxing of the teats usually within 48 hours before birth
* Changes in milk composition
how does the pH of mare;s milk indicate fetal readiness for birth?
- Using standard pH strips, milk can be tested to determine fetal readiness
- When pH drops below 6.4: Most mares foal within next 24hrs.
how do milk electrolytes change near parturition?
-calcium levels rise >200ppm
-sodium drops, potassium rises => potassium becomes dominant over sodium
stage 1 of labour
Stage One–Uterine contractions, repositioning of fetus, dilation of cervix
stage 2 of labour
Stage Two – Rupture of chorioallantois and delivery of the foal
stage 3 of labour
- Stage Three – Passage of the placenta
signs of stage 1 labour in the cow
-anorexia, arched back, restless elevated tail
signs of stage 1 labour in the mare
-anorexia, colicky, patchy, sweating, frequent urination/defacation
signs of stage 1 labour in the bitch
-panting, vomiting, nesting, restless
signs of stage 1 labour in the ewe/doe
-separate from flock, nesting, restless
length of stage 1 and stage 2 labour in the cow?
1: 1-24 hr (avg 6)
2: 1-8 hr-Cow vs heifer
length of stage 1 and stage 2 labour in the mare?
1: 0.5- 6hr (avg 2)
2: 5-30min (15 min)
length of stage 1 and stage 2 labour in the bitch?
1: 6 – 12 hr
2: variable (avg 3-6hr) avg 30 mins/pup
length of stage 1 and stage 2 labour in the ewe/doe?
1: 1-6 hrs
2: 1 hr (2 for multiples)
length of stage 3 labour (passing of the placenta) in the cow:
6-12h
length of stage 3 labour (passing of the placenta) in the mare:
<3 hours
length of stage 3 labour (passing of the placenta) in the ewe/doe:
1-12hours
length of stage 3 labour (passing of the placenta) in the bitch/queen:
passed with litter
Fetal Positioning in Late Gestation in the Mare
- By about 8 months the hind feet become trapped by the limb horn
- Holds fetus in this position until term
how long does stage 1 labour last in the mare? are there outward signs? what are they?
- Lasts from 30 minutes to 4 hours or more
- Sometimes no outward signs
- Anorexia, restlessness, patchy sweating, switching of tail, laying down
how does stage 2 labour for the mare begin? how fast is delivery of the foal?
- Begins with breaking of the water
- Rupture of chorioallantois occurs at cervical star
- Delivery of the foal is rapid in the mare
- Lasts from 5 min to 30 minutes
what appears at the vulva of the mare soon after the water breaks?
- Soon after the water breaks –
- appearance of grey- white amniotic sac at vulva
what position does the mare assume for stage 2 labour? describe the contractions and how the foal will look when it first peeks out.
- Lateral recumbancy
- Contractions/ pushes occur in groups of 3 or 4 then short rest
- One front foot ahead of the other with head lying on top
what position does the mare assume for stage 2 labour? describe the contractions and how the foal will look when it first peeks out.
- Lateral recumbancy
- Contractions/ pushes occur in groups of 3 or 4 then short rest
- One front foot ahead of the other with head lying on top
foal is normally born within what?
- Normally born within the amniotic sac
Once the front half of the foal is delivered, what part of the foal often remains in the mare?
hindlegs
how does the umbilical cord break in the horse parturition?
The foal’s initial movements usually result in breaking of the cord and delivery of the hindlegs
how fast after birth will the foal stand and nurse?
- Within minutes the foal will sit in sternal (on chest)
- Should be standing within 1-2 hours and nursing within 2-4 hours ————Colostrum
at what point is a mare placenta considered retained?
- Delivery of placenta
- Should occur within 3 hours of delivery or is considered retained in the mare
- Important to evaluate placenta for intactness and problems
what is the “Red Bag” Delivery in Mares? what do we do if we see this?
Appearance of the red velvety chorion at vulva instead of white-ish amnion
* Absolute emergency
* Premature separation of chorion from uterus
* Hypoxemia of foal
-Break membrane and deliver foal immediately
when is help needed at parturition for the mare?
- Failure of delivery to progress as expected is cause for alarm
- Absence of correct presentation of head & limbs
- Nose or foot coming out of mare’s rectum instead of vagina
- Mare straining for more than 20 minutes with no progress
