CT: Parturition and Postpartum Flashcards
Pregnancy length for camelids
Llama (350 dys)
Alpaca (340 dys)
Camel (357 dys)
High risk for neonate
Under 325 days or over 370 dys
Eutocia stage 1 (until cervical dilation)
2-3 hrs, occurs during the day (late morning, early afternoon)
Isolation from the herd, ↑ defecation and urination, abdominal discomfort, ↑ vocalization
Eutocia Stage 2 (Fetal expulsion)
5-90 minutes (fast)
Rupture of the chorioallantois often missed
Eutocia stage 3
placental expulsion: 30-180 minutes
Postpartum evaultion
Dam: norm behavior, physical, mammary glands and vaginoscopy
Neonate: neonatal care, disinfection, colostrum
Placenta: completeness, weight (9-11% weight of neonate) and lesions
Healthy term neonate
Eruption of 2 pairs of central incisors
Eyes open
Sternal within 30 min, standing @ 40 min
Nurse within 60 minutes
Neonate TPR
100-102.5 F
60-100 bpm
Meconium by 12 hrs
Urination by 8 hrs
When should a camelid nurse
2-3x per hour for the first 10 days
Uterine involution
Rapid, normal (158 g) 10 days postpartum
Resumption of ovarian activity
Alpacas and llamas: conception rate 2-3 weeks after parturition
Camels: lactaitonal anestrus 6-12 months
1 cause of dystocia in camelids
Fetal maldispositions (85%)→ head and neck deviation, carpal/ shoulder flexion and bilateral hip flexion (breech)
Other causes of dystocia
Feto-maternal disproportion
Fetal abnormalities
Uterine torsion
Hypocalcemia
Restraint anesthesia
Lidocaine and xylazine
Cesarean section
Physical/ chemical
Xylazine then butorphanol
Epidural →sternal → lateral
Uterine closure
Remove if possible
Peel off around the uterine incision before suture
Admin oxytocin
Inverting suture
Lavage with K-penicillin, Na-ampicillin and heparin
Post sx management
Stimulate appetite with Vit B complex and transfaunation
Antimicrobials: penicillin G, Gentamicin and cefiofur
Anti-inflamms: FLuxin meglumine
Dystocia (Fetotomy)
Only if you have experience
Not good for alpacas due to high risk for trauma to vagina and cervix
Life threatening postpartum disorders
Uterine hemorrhage or rupture
Peritonitis
Septic metritis
Postpartum disorders (loss of fertility)
Retained placenta/ endometritis
Cervical tears
Vaginal adhesions
Postpartum hemorrhage
Hypertonic saline
Pack vagina and uterus
Blood transfusion if PCV <12%
Aminocaproic acid, prednisolon sodium, butorphanol
What prevents adhesions
Petercillin: lanolin, castor oil, tetracycline
Retained placenta
Intervene when toxic metritis present
Check for uterine tear, hypocalcemia or uterine spasm
Oxytocin and uterine lavage to tx
