Definition of the presentation, position and posture of the fetus in cattle. Normal and abnormal presentations in cattle Flashcards
Presentation, Position, Posture
(presentation = 3 of them)
They describe how the fetus lays in the pregnant uterus or within the birth canal.
Dorso Longitudinal presentation (1) ->
Abnormal (2) = Not in longitudinal plane ->
Definition: Relation of the long axis of the fetus to that of the dam
normal: Longitudinal presentations (anterior, posterior)
abnormal:
• Dorso-transverse presentation
• Ventro-transverse presentation
• (Oblique) dorso-vertical presentation
• (Oblique) ventro-vertical presentation
o (”Harms dog-sitting position”)
Presentation, Position, Posture
Differentiation of normal (longitudinal) presentations -> IMPORTANT !
Anterior presentation
Posterior presentation
(Longitudinal) anterior and posterior presentations
Presentation, Position, Posture
Differentiation of normal (longitudinal) presentations -> IMPORTANT !
Anterior presentation
- Metacarpophalangeal joint (fetlock) and the first joint proximal to that joint (=carpus) are flexed to the same direction
- Bony knob (tuber olecrani) is present at the second joint proximal to the fetlock
- In dorsal position of the fetus the palmar sides of the forelimbs are facing ventrally
- Recognition of head, neck (mouth, nose, ears, trachea, mane)
Presentation, Position, Posture
Differentiation of normal (longitudinal) presentations -> IMPORTANT !
Posterior presentation
- Metatarsophalangeal joint (fetlock) and the first joint proximal to that joint (=tarsus) are flexed to the opposite direction
- Bony knob (tarsus) is present at the first joint proximal to the fetlock
- In dorsal position of the fetus the plantar sides of the hindlimbs are facing dorsally
- Recognition of tail, anus, umbilical cord, testis, scrotum
Presentation, Position, Posture
Differentiation of normal (longitudinal) presentations -> IMPORTANT !
(Longitudinal) anterior and posterior presentations
Check palmar surface of feet -> Downword -> Antertior presentation
Upward -> Posterior presentation
Check jts above the fetlock its: if 1 st jt above is flexing -> Should be same direction -> Carpus -> Anterior (pic)
If it’s 2nd jt to another direction (boni knob) -> Posterior presentation
Use any structure to help to differentiatge (neck, head)
Presentation, Position, Posture
Summary: normal presentations
During pregnancy:
• Longitudinal presentation (anterior or posterior),
• dorsal (upright) position (but ventral in the horse !)
• flexed posture
During delivery:
• Longitudinal presentation (anterior or posterior)
• dorsal position
• extended posture
Presentation, Position, Posture
Position
Definition: Relation of the vertebral column of the fetus to that of the dam
normal: Dorsal (Upright) position
abnormal:
• Ventral position (but: see the exception in the horse -> Normal !)
• Lateral position (left, right) -> incomplete turning in
(Longitudinal) posterior presentation, ventral position
Presentation, Position, Posture
Posture
Definition
Relation of the head, neck and legs of the fetus to its trunk
Presentation, Position, Posture
Posture
Normal
- flexed (ONLY: during pregnancy)
- extended (ONLY: during parturition)
Predisposing factors for abnormal postures: • premature birth • any types of uterine inertia • twins • reduction in the intrauterine space
Presentation, Position, Posture
Posture
Abnormal
head: 4 directions normally
o Lateral deviation of the head
o Downward displacement of the head (Vertex posture, Breast-head posture, nape
presentation
o Upward displacement of the head
forelimbs:
o Carpal-flexionposture
o Incomplete extension of the elbow
o Shoulder-flexion posture = Complete retention of the forelimb
o Foot-napeposture
hindlimbs:
o Hock-flexion posture
o Hip-flexionposture
one sided, double sided -> abnormal posturesNormal and abnormal presentations
Relation of the long axis of the fetus to the long axis of the dam.
normal: Longitudinal presentations (anterior, posterior)
abnormal: Dorso-transverse presentation
1. Oblique dorso-vertical presentation
2. Oblique ventro-vertical presentation (‘Harms dog-sitting position’)
→Hard to resolve and recognize
3. Dorso-transverse presentation
4. Ventro-transverse presentation
ALL ARE INDICATED FOR CAEDARIAN SECTION !
(Oblique) dorso-vertical presentation
Occurrence
- calves: more often, foals: seldom
- preferably if fetus is dead
- in inertia cases
(Oblique) dorso-vertical presentation
Diagnosis
dorsal part is available only
(Oblique) dorso-vertical presentation
Prognosis
in general: bad
good only, if the case is fresh and the fetus is small
(Oblique) dorso-vertical presentation
Treatment
1) Non-bloody method:
• target: to induce longitudinal presentation
• which part of the fetus is closer to us
• easier if we can induce posterior presentation
▪ manually (lifting the anus, the tail)
▪ Krey-Schöttler double hook,
▪ Kühn’s crutch
2) Bloody method:
• fetotomy (cut the body in 2 pieces) -> Most often !
• caesarean section
