Causes and Assessment of Dystocia Flashcards
What is an episiotomy
An episiotomy is a surgical cut made from the vaginal opening up the perineum
Types of dystocia common in cow
Heifers may be bred at an early age = dystocia common
Breed important = Holstein have high incidence
Beef sires often used resulting in large calf = feto-maternal disproportion is most common. Common challenges are establishing if calf is deliverable
Faulty disposition is less common especially c.f. mare
Twin pregnancies occur and have 2.5x greater risk than singleton
Fetal monsters not uncommon
Maternal dystocia is uncommon (include incomplete cervix dilation, and uterine inertia due to hypocalcaemia
Common types of dystocia in mare
The fetus has to rotate during delivery = faulty disposition is most common
Second stage parturition is short = if there is faulty disposition obstructive dystocia is common
The size of the fetus is governed by the surface area of the placenta which is governed by the size of the mare = feto-maternal disproportion is not common
Twins at term are rare (loss occurs earlier)
Common types of dystocia in bitch
Almost 75% of dystocia cases are a result of primary uterine inertia
Faulty disposition accounts for 15% of cases
Feto-maternal disproportion is very common in some brachycepahic breeds
86.1% Bulldogs/British bulldogs and 81.3% French bulldogs requiring surgical delivery of neonates
Common types of dystocia in queen
Almost 60% of dystocia cases are a result of primary uterine inertia
Faulty disposition accounts for 15% of cases similar to dogs
Fetal monsters are also common
Previous pelvic trauma is not uncommon in cats that go out
Common types of dystocia in sheep
Dystocia incidence differences according to breed (mountain and hardy breeds lower incidence, meat breeds higher incidence) and litter size
Feto-maternal disproportion and faulty disposition are most common
Common types of dystocia in sow
Dystocia is less common than other species at approximately 2% of parturitions
Approximately 40% of cases are uterine inertia
Simultaneous presentation is common
When would you use manipulation to resolve dystocia
The fetus can be delivered
The fetus can be returned to normal disposition
The fetus may, or may, not be alive
The dam is not significantly debilitated
When would you use a fetotomy to resolve dystocia
The fetus can be delivered with a single (mare) or two fetotomy cuts
There is sufficient room and no current damage to the female tract
The fetus is dead or can be humanely killed
The dam may be too debilitated to survive caesarean so fetotomy may be viable
The dam can be adequately restrained or can be sedated
Fetotomy in should always be considered ahead of caesarean in monotocous species
When would you perform a caesarean
The fetus cannot be delivered by mutation and traction
Dystocia is correctable but there is a large litter (polytocous species) so risk of secondary inertia or dam exhaustion
There is uterine torsion or incomplete cervix dilation that cannot be remedied
When fetotomy would be extensive, traumatic and time consuming
Performed as an elective procedure (e.g. brachycephalic breeds)
Example of ecbolic drug
oxytocin
why might calcium be used in dystocia
When calcium levels are low, the uterine muscles may not contract as efficiently or effectively as they should. This can slow down or stall labor, leading to dystocia. Additionally, low levels of calcium can also lead to weak or ineffective contractions, which can also contribute to dystocia.
In some cases, supplementation with calcium can help to improve uterine contractions and facilitate labor
What is a tocolytic +example
used to suppress or inhibit uterine contractions.
typically used to delay premature labor, or to help stop contractions that are too frequent, strong, or prolonged.
clenbuterol (bronchodilator also used for asthma)
