3. parturition and dystocia across species WS Flashcards
what are the signs that parturition is imminent in the ewe
- mammary hypertrophy
- restlessness
- vulva slightly swollen
- often recumbent and straining
- water bag protruding from vulva
what are the signs that parturition is imminent in the sow
- restlessness
- bed making activity if possible
- recumbency
- mammary hypertrophy
- swelling of vulva
what are the signs that parturition is imminent in the queen
first stage:
- queen restless with frequent visits to nesting area. some hide away quietly straining unproductively
second stage:
- straining in lateral recumbency
- expulsion of kittens rapid with short interval between birth
- sometimes very variable - may be as long as 24 hours
- queen can interrupt parturition if disturbed and will resume later
- placentae usually attached
what are the signs that parturition is imminent in the bitch
- nesting activity
- mammary hypertrophy
- restless, panting
- loss of appetite
- green vulval discharge can be noted
list some husbandry considerations for parturition across the species
sheep: ideally keep in handy paddock/lambing yard, clean well bedded pen availible post-parturition, frequent observation
ability to isolate ewes if infectious abortion suspected
sow:sow udders should be washed, introduced to farrowing cradle (so dont crush piglets), piglet death often due to overlying of sow, gilt may savage (eat), night time farrowing staff recommended, last 2 piglets may be dificult (exhaustion), cleaning farrowing crates
queen: nesting area that is private, most cats very secretive
bitch: whelping box, unobtrusive observation, decreased rectal temp
what behavioural and biological indices would indicate that a heifer is actually calving
- bagging up
- softening of sacral ligaments
- glancing around
- water bag
- restlessness
- tail raised
- straining
- slime (allantochorion)
what behavioural and biological indices would indicatee that a mare is foaling
- restlessness
- vulva relaxed
- discharge of fluid
- straining
- mammary development
- recumbent
- sweating
- flank watching
- kicking at abdomen
outline time frames of parturition in the mare
gestation length: 11 months
1st stage: 1-4 hours
2nd stage: 30 minutes
3rd stage: 0.5-3 hours
outline time frames of parturition in the cow
gestation length: 283 days
1st stage: 6-12 hr
2nd stage: 0.5-4 h
3rd stage: 4-12 hr
outline time frames of parturition in the sow
gestation lengths: 3 months 3 weeks 3 days
1st stage: 12-24 hr
2nd stage: 2-6 hr
outline time frames of parturition in the ewe
gestation length: 5 months
1st stage: 2-6 h
2nd stage: 0.5-2 h
3rd stage: 0.5 - 8 h
outline time frames of parturition in the queen
gestation length: 65-70 d
1st stage: 1-2 h for first kitten
2nd stage: can pause for 12-24 hours
3rd stage: membranes passed soon after each kitten
outline time frames of parturition in the bitch
gestation length: 63-65 d
1st stage: 6-24 h for 1st pup
2nd stage: 10-30 min 1st pup total 2-24 hr
3rd stage: membranes passed soon after each pup
list causes of dysocia in the different species
