38. Dislocations of the pregnant uterus, labour activity and uterine inertia in cattle

Question 1

Displacement of the gravid uterus?

Answer 1

Displacement of the Gravid Uterus

Can occur in all species

A.in the ventral plane

Normal situation: >120 degrees

Abnormal: ventroversion; downward deviation of the gravid horn, btw 90-120 degrees

Ventroflexion; downward deviation of the gravid horn, less than 90 degrees

Question 2

Torsion of the gravid uterus?

Answer 2

Torsion of the gravid uterus

Diagnosis: recital palpation of the broad ligament

Direction: left- anti-clockwise

Right- clockwise

Magnitude: 45, 90, 180, 270, 360

Types: internal torsion of the uterus after the cervix

External-Torino of the uterus before the cervix, this differentiation is only in cows

Treatment: manual, per vaginum

Rotation of the cow’s body

Laparotomy

C-section (most cases

Question 3

Labour activity?

Answer 3

Labour Activity

Signs of approaching parturition

1. vulva softens and becomes swollen
2. relaxation of the pelvic muscles
3. cervix dilates
4. expulsion of the mucus plug, mucus seen hanging from the vulva
5. mammary glands develop; heifer: after 4 months of gestation

Cow: last 2-3 weeks

6. arched back, raised tail
7. restlessness
8. body temp drops 0.5, 2 days prior to parturition
9. just before partition, colostrum production
10. rupture of amniotic sac

Question 4

Stage course and process of partuition(1st stage)?

Answer 4

Stage, course, and process of parturition

First stage

• Lasts 2-6 hours
• Onset of myometrial contractions= loosens attachment of placenta to endometrium and increase resistance

in maternal circulation which increases blood flow to foetus

• Cow shows signs of discomfort and separates herself from the herd
• Calf rotates from ventral to dorsal
• At the end you can observe the amniotic sac in vagina

Question 5

Second Stage of partuition?

Answer 5

Second stage

• Lasts 2-4 hours
• Uterine contractions every 3-5 mins
• Contraction of abdominal muscle to assist foetal expulsion
• Stage ends in delivery of calf

Question 6

Third stage of partuition?

Answer 6

Third stage

• 0.5-8 hours after parturition, the foetal membranes should be expelled
• Newborn should start suckling within 1 hour, this stimulates oxytocin > milk let-down and myometrial

contractions

Question 7

Labour pains?

Answer 7

Labour Pains

Normal: premonitory pains -days before the birth

Opening pains

Expulsion pains

After pains- expulsion of the Foetal membranes

Abnormal: early pains

Inertia; primary or secondary

Violent pains: usually a uterine rupture

Question 8

Uterine inertia?

Answer 8

Uterine Inertia

Same as uterine atony, failure of the uterus to contract with normal strength, duration, and intervals during labour

Types

Primary

• Contractions fail to begin
• Cause: hormone imbalance, nutritional disorder, environment, nervous, disease, hydroallontois,

hypocalcaemia

• Treatment: oxytocin, prostaglandins, calcium…if not resolved c-section

Secondary

• Contractions cease due to exhaustion during then second stage of parturition
• Cause: twins, malpresentation, large foetus I.e., dystocia
• Treatment: