53. Foetal monsters in cattle

Question 1

Causes of fetal Monsters ?

Answer 1

Causes:

• Congenital defects, cause is unknown most of the time

o Genetics

o Placental defects

o External causes

• Types:

o Single Monsters

o Double Monsters

• They cause dystocia most of the time (C-section/fetotomy)
• Incompatible with life
• More than one form can be present in one foetus.

Question 2

Single monsters(List)?

Answer 2

Single Monsters

• Hydrocephalus internus/externus
• Hydocephalokele
• Cyclops Parasiticus
• Chondrodystrophia fetalis
• Anasarca
• Ascites, hydrothorax
• Schistosoma reflexum
• Perosomus elumbis
• Ankylosis, contractura – abnormal mobility of joint from fibrous or bony union
• Amorphus globosus – asymmetrical spherical mass covered in skin and without functional heart that is

attached to placenta of normal twin.

• Hypoplasia of different organs

Question 3

Double Monsters(List)?

Answer 3

Double Monsters

• Dicephalus – ‘’ Janus face’’
• Diprosopus – duplication of face
• Thoracopagus – conjoined twins at the thorax
• Omphalopagus – conjoined twins sharing part of GIT and abd wall
• Thoracoomphalopagus – fusion of anterior thorax and/or abdomen
• Cephalothoracopagus – imperfect fusion of head, chest, and upper abdomen, separate limbs, and pelvis
• Xyphopagus – united @ xiphoid process
• Craniopagus – fused at the cranium
• Ischiopagus – at ischium
• Paguses- the exact name depends on the place of conjugation

Question 4

Hydrocephalus?

Answer 4

Hydrocephalus

• Unusual amount of fluid accumulating in the chambers (hydrocephalus internus) or in the subarachnoid

space (hydrocephalus externus)

• Not an absolute indication for C-section (the fluid can be drained)

Question 5

Achondroplasia?

Answer 5

Chondrodystrophia fetalis - achondroplasia

• Body: Thickened
• Limbs: Short limbs, epiphysis enlargement
• Cranium: Thickened

Question 6

Anasarca?

Answer 6

Anasarca

• Subcutis
• Muscles and connective tissue
• -Abdomen and thorax
• Often there is pulmonary hypoplasia present as well

Question 7

Schistosoma reflexum?

Answer 7

Schistosoma reflexum:

• Opened thoracic and abdominal cavity, visceral organs are free

Question 8

Perosumus Elumbis?

Answer 8

Perosomus Elumbis:

• Lumbar, sacral, and caudal vertebrae: Missing or incompletely developed, instead only a thick bundle of

connective tissue

• The front half is often overdeveloped,
• Hindquarters stunted or underdeveloped
• Limbs bent, stiff