Bovine Genital Tract Prolapses

Question 1

Predisposing causes for Uterine Prolapse

Answer 1

• flaccid uterus

- timing = postpartum

Question 2

Why is the uterus flaccid in a uterus prolapse situation?

Answer 2

• long dystocia
• uterus has been contracting for so long
• cow pushes out calf and uterus follows

Question 3

Is uterine prolapse hereditary and likely to occur?

Answer 3

No on both accounts

It is not hereditary and rarely recurs

Question 4

How To Handle a Uterine Prolapse

Answer 4

• EMERGENCY SITUATION!
• GO TO THE COW!
• epidural
• elevate rear quarters (or pull hind legs behind her if she’s laying down) Will tilt pelvis
• wash uterus
• replace uterus
• use oxytocin to help uterus get properly situated in cow (can work against you if you give it too soon - uterus will keep trying to contract outward while you’re trying to push it back in)

Question 5

Vaginal and Cervical Prolapses

Answer 5

• prepartum
• hereditary
• often seen with Hereford, Santa Gertrudis, and Holsteins
• recurring

Question 6

How to Handle a Vaginal or Cervical Prolapse

Answer 6

• epidural
• wash prolapse
• replace prolapse
• suture

Question 7

Where to give a cow an epidural?

Answer 7

Between sacral vertebra and the first caudal vertebra

Question 8

Buhner Suture

Answer 8

• essentially making the vulva into a “drawstring purse”
• this helps keep the vagina/ cervix from reprolapsing
• can be done for a prolapsed uterus as well
• After organs have been replaced inside cow, make an incision at the top and two at the bottom
• Thread Buhner needle from bottom to top on one side; pull Buhner tape through
• Leave tape in, pull needle off tape
• Insert needle from bottom to top from other side; Rethread needle at top and pull tape around so both tails of the tape are at the bottom of the vulva
• Leave about 3 finger widths of space in the vulva for cow to still be able to urinate through, but tie the ends of the tape into a double knot bow under the vulva