Abortions in cattle Flashcards

1
Q

Mummification of bovine fetuses has an incidence of

A

less than 2%.

Breed and previous occurrence are risk factors, with a higher incidence of fetal mummification in Guernsey and Jersey cattle.

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2
Q

In cattle, fetal mummification occurs after what day of gestation?

A

70 days of gestation, the time of fetal ossification.

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3
Q

Mummification occurs most often between what months of pregnancy?

A

the 3rd and 8th month of gestation, without any concomitant luteolysis of the CL or opening of the cervix.

After fetal death, the amniotic and allantoic fluids are resorbed, dehydrating the fetal tissues and annex membranes.

Eventually, the caruncles disappear during the dehydration process. The longer the mummified fetus is retained, the dryer, firmer, and more leathery the tissues of the fetus become.

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4
Q

Mummification that produces a dry, stiff fetoplacental unit with no exudate is called

A

papyraceous mummification, reported in dogs, cat, cattle, buffalo.

In the other type of mummification, known as hematic or chocolate mummification, a viscous adhesive material covers the mummified fetus.

This type has been reported in cattle, buffalo, and dogs.

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5
Q

Fetal mummification is to be differentiated from

A

fetal maceration, in which the fetus putrefies, in the uterine cavity, in the presence of bacteria and oxygen originating from the open cervix.

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6
Q

Etiology for fetal mummification.

A

Several potential causes for this condition have been proposed:

bovine viral diarrhea (BVD),
leptospirosis and
mold,
Neospora caninum;
mechanical factors, such as compression and/or torsion of the umbilical cord; uterine torsion;
defective placentation;
genetic anomalies;
abnormal hormonal profiles; and chromosomal abnormalities.

However, a definitive etiology is rarely established, because of tissue degeneration.

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7
Q

Clinical findings in fetal mummification.

A

A majority of diagnoses of suspected mummification (63%) are established by veterinarians after the farmer notices that the cow’s abdomen is unusually small for the given stage of pregnancy.

Mummies stayed in utero until they were removed, with the presenting complaint usually occurring several days past the calving date.

Therefore, no significant systemic or other type of illness is observed in cows except for spontaneous abortion, which may or may not occur.

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8
Q

Diagnosis of fetal mummification.

A

Transrectal palpation and ultrasonographic examination show the mummified fetus as a compact, firm, and immobile mass without placental fluid or placentomes.

The ultrasound examination reveals the absence of a heartbeat.

The general physical examination of the dam appears normal, although decreased milk production and weight loss have been observed in rare cases (but may have been attributable to other factors).

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9
Q

Treatment of fetal mummification.

A

There is a systematic approach to treating pregnant cows diagnosed with fetal mummification.

Prostaglandins (PGs; PGF2α) are the primary and most effective treatment.
In most cases, the mummified fetus will then be expelled from the uterus.

All treated cows should be assessed via transrectal and vaginal examination about 5 days after the first injection of PGF2α, in order to check for the presence of CL, cervical dilation, and the fetus in the vagina.

After expulsion of the fetus, a uterine lavage should be performed to remove fetal and placental debris, and the cow should be rapidly induced into estrus and inseminated.

If the cow does not respond to two injections of PGF2α after 5 days, a decision must be made: proceed with an hysterotomy (laparotomy) or continue medical treatment with a combination of PGF2α and PGE2..

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10
Q

Define abortion in cattle.

A

Disruption of pregnancy, followed by resorbtion of the fetus, expulsion of the fetus, mummification, maceration or putrification of the fetus.

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11
Q

Line between abortion and premature birth is

A

210 days of pregnancy.

If before, we will continue with present lactation, if later then calculation of new lactation.

If occurrence on the second half of the pregnancy increase in production may follow.

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12
Q

Causes of abortion in cattle.

A

May vary a lot (dependent on region, herd situation, feeding and management, infectious disease situation etc.)

genetic factors, trauma, iatrogenic from palpation, temperature, uterine health etc.

Very often we find a reasons only in 40% of cases.

High cost of laboratory investigations + low outcome.

Most of the laboratory investigation results (90%) will say that the reason is infectious disease.

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13
Q

Infectious abortions in cattle.
1. Late pregnancy stage

Name 7 agents.

A

Bovine herpesvirus 1 (IRT)
Brucellosis

Leptospirosis
Listeriosis

Salmonella abortion:
S. dublin S. typhimurium

Mycotoxicosis
Neosporosis

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14
Q

Describe Bovine herpesvirus 1 (IRT) abortion in cattle.

A

After 4 months of pregnancy; embryonic mortality, stillbirth, weak calves, reproductive problems in the herd.

Laboratory diagnosis: placenta normal, changes in fetal organs, isolation from placenta and fetal lungs.

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15
Q

Describe Brucellosis abortion in cattle.

A

Mostly after 5 months of pregnancy. In the herd: lame cows, mastitis, orchitis.

Laboratory diagnosis: Main changes in placenta and placentomes. Histologically endometritis and placentitis.

Also detection of B. Abortus from fetal lungs, abomasum or placenta.

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16
Q

Describe Leptospirosis abortion in cattle.

A

L. interrogans (L. hardjo)

Infertility abortion from 4 months of pregnancy until the end of pregnancy, weak calves.

Hemoglobinuria, icterus, anemia, fever, mastitis.

Laboratory diagnosis: fetus yellow (icterus), swollen.

Isolation from fetal liver, kidneys and brain (Usually not tho, because time consuming). Serological investigation from the blood is better.

17
Q

Describe Listeriosis abortion in cattle.

A

L. monocytogenes

Abortions during last 2 months of pregnancy. Often no clinical signs in mother. Very seldom fever, endometritis.

Laboratory: liver white-gray lesions up to 2 mm. Histologically placentitis and endometritis. Best to take cultures from aborted fetuses.

18
Q

Describe Salmonella abortion in cattle.

A

S. dublin S. typhimurium

Sporadic cases, every stage of pregnancy, characterized by placentary necrosis, edema and bleeding.

No specific clinical signs in mother. Stillbirth and perinatal septicemia.

Laboratory: placentitis, autolysis of the fetus. Isolation from placenta or from fetal tissues (fluoresence antibody staining). Serological tests for mother.

19
Q

Describe Mycotoxicosis abortion in cattle.

A

Aspergillus, Absidia, Mucor, Rhizopus, Candida, Mortirella

Abortions during the last trimester of pregnancy. Usually no clinical signe before or after abortion.

Placentitis togther with edema of fetal membranes and necrosis. Fetus normal, but histologically changes in lungs (bronchopneumonia).

In case of Aspergillosi,s fetus dehydrated, skin lesions (25% of cases). Placenta thicken ed and leathery.

20
Q

Describe Neosporosis abortion in cattle.

A

Neospora caninum

Definitive host, dog. Horizontal and vertical transmission (oocytes from dog feces).

Most of abortions at the middle of pregnancy.

Laboratory: aborted fetuses. Seroepidemiological investigations at the herd level.

Changes in cotyledons (white up to 2mm necrotic areas and calcification, pneumonia, myocarditis, hepatitis).

21
Q

Infectious abortions in cattle.
2. Earlier stages of pregnancy

Name 2 agents.

A

Campylobacteriosis
Mycoplasmosis

22
Q

Describe Campylobacteriosis abortion in cattle.

A

Campylobacter fetus spp. veneralis causing temporary infertility or earlier embryonic mortality.

Also technically possible sporadic abortions from 4th up to 8 months of pregnancy.

Usually the problem in the herd is infertility and repeat breeding.

23
Q

Describe Mycoplasmosis abortion in cattle.

A

Mycoplasma bovigenitalium (granulatory vulvovaginitis and endometritis) and Mycoplasma bovis (mastitis and abortion)

Placentitis and fetal pneumonia.

Isolation from vagina, also in healthy animals (usually less than 1%), M. bovigenitalium up to 12% in healthy animals.

24
Q

Infectious abortions in cattle.
3. To affect any stage of pregnancy

Name 2 agents.

A

BVDV
Histophilus somni

25
Q

Describe BVDV abortion in cattle.

A

Earlier embryonic mortality, fetal defects or abortions in every stages of pregnancy.

Usually reproductive problems in the herd.

26
Q

Describe Histophilus somni abortion in cattle.

A

vulvitis, vaginitis and abortions

27
Q

Position of the fetus in the uterus during pregnancy:

A

slide 17

28
Q

Position of the fetus in the uterus during pregnancy.
Difference between the terms presentation, position and posture.

A

Presentation refers to the part of the fetus that is closest to the birth canal and would be delivered first. It describes which part of the baby is leading or presenting itself at the cervix.

Position describes the orientation of the presenting part (usually the fetal head) relative to the maternal pelvis. It tells us which direction the baby’s presenting part is facing.

Posture refers to the positioning of the fetal limbs and head in relation to its own body. It describes how the fetus is “postured” inside the uterus.

29
Q

Which uterine horn does the bovine fetus grow in?

A

Usually on the same side from which side ovulation took place.

In case of first pregnancy slightly more fetuses are placed in left uterine horns. From the second pregnancy, placement is equal in left and right horn and from third pregnancy there is tendency toward more fetuses in the right horn.

In case of twins, usually the fetuses are in separate uterine horns (only in 10% of cases they can be on the same horn).

30
Q

Fetus position in uterus based on gestation.

A

First two months fetus size is small and connection between the chorion and uterine wall is still weak, the position of the fetus inside the uterus is not firmly fixed.

3rd and 4th month of pregnancy the fetuses inside the uterus are in longitudinal presentation (equally in posterior and anterior presentation).

5th month and at the beginning of the 6th month of pregnancy most fetuses are in longitudinal posterior presentation.

During the second half of 6th month or during 7th month of pregnancy most of the fetuses turn around so that most are in longitudinal anterior presentation.

31
Q

What is the Head lifting reflex in the context of bovine pregnancy?

A

The head lifting reflex (or head reflex) is a neuromuscular response seen in a viable bovine fetus during palpation. It occurs when the head of the fetus is stimulated (usually by palpation) through the uterus.

When a veterinarian palpates the fetus transrectally or via ultrasound, and gently presses the fetal head, a viable fetus will respond by attempting to lift or move its head away from the pressure.

This reflex is used as an indicator of fetal viability.

32
Q

Define Freemartinism

A

Distinct form of intersexuality which arises as a result of a vascular anastomosis of the adjacent chorioallantoic sacs of heterozygous fetuses in multiples pregnancies.

As a result, the external genitalia of freemartin heifers appear normal, but the internal genitalia are grossly abnormal.

Typically, the gonads are either vestigial or have undergone masculinization.

The structures derived from the paramesonephric ducts are almost entirely absent or are grossly hypoplastic.

Sometimes prominent clitoris with obvious tuft of hair at the inferior commissure of the vulva (not always reliable).

33
Q

Freemartins can be identified on the basis of

A

the length of the vagina and the absence of the cervix.

In the adult the vagina is normally 30 cm in length, compared with 8 – 10 cm in the freemartin (no cervix by rectal palpation).

In calves 1 – 4 weeks of age, the vagina is normally 13 – 15 cm in length compared with 5 – 6 cm in freemartin.

Diagnosis at this age can be made using a blunt probe which should inserted initially at an angel of 45⁰ below the horizontal line for 5cm and then angled downwards to avoid impinging on the hymen.