Dystocia

Question 1

what is the most common cause of dystocia in cows

Answer 1

feto-maternal disporportion

Question 2

what is the most common cause of dystocia in sheep

Answer 2

malpresentations

Question 3

List 5 effects of dystocia

Answer 3

reduced welfare
reduced production
stillbirth
dam death
post partum problems increased

Question 4

what are the 4 options for management of dystocia

Answer 4

Manual correction and deliver per vaginum
Caesarean section
Foetotomy (foetus needs to be dead)
Euthanasia of dam +/- foetus

Question 5

List 4 indications of caesarean section

Answer 5

foeto-maternal disproportion
malpresentations that cannot be corrected
breech calves
elective (e.g. high value calves)

Question 6

when is a c-section not suitable - what should you do instead in this case

Answer 6

if calf is decomposing
perform a foetotomy

Question 7

when is a foetotomy suitable

Answer 7

Foetus will not survive – only suitable if already dead (preferable to C-sec if not fresh) or if euthanasia of foetus required

Question 8

what is a partial foetotomy

Answer 8

removal of part of the foetus only (e.g. head)

Question 9

what is a total foetotmy

Answer 9

division of the whole foetus into 2 or more sections

Question 10

List 5 advantages of a foetotomy

Answer 10

can be quick
reduction in foetal size allows easier delivery
can be done without assistance
avoids C-section
can be performed minimal equipment if required

Question 11

List 3 disadvantges of a foetotomy

Answer 11

risk of iatrogenic injury
can take a long time (especially total)
requires training and technical competency

Question 12

subcutaneous foetotomy

Answer 12

limb removal without skin

Question 13

what are dropsical conditions

Answer 13

excess accumulation of amniotic fluid in amniotic cavity that is associated with a genetic or congenitally defective fetus.

Question 14

List 4 indications of a percutaneous foetotomy

Answer 14

Foeto-maternal disproportion
Pathological foetal oversize
Congenital foetal malformations
Malpresentations that cannot be corrected

Question 15

Describe Hydrallantois

Answer 15

Excess fluid accumulation in the allantois
placental origin
fetus is normal

Question 16

Describe Hydramnion

Answer 16

excess fluid accumulation in the amnion
fetal origin
fetal abnormalities present

Question 17

what occurs in hydrallantois

Answer 17

Up to 10x expected volume of allantoic fluid
Fluid accumulates after mid-gestation
reduced number of placentomes
permanent changes to endometrium

Question 18

what is the prognosis with hydrallantois

Answer 18

guarded to poor
if survives cull of cow recommended- as subsequent fertility is affected

Question 19

List 6 clinical signs of hydrallantois

Answer 19

bilateral abdominal distention
uncomfortable
inappetant
reduced/absent rumen function
recumbency
tight uterine wall palpable per rectum

Question 20

What occurs in Hydramnion

Answer 20

fetal abnormalities
Progressive abdominal enlargement in 3rd trimester
Slower development than hydrallantois
Uterus and abdomen accommodates extra fluid better
Less sick cow
may go undiagnosed until parturition

Question 21

describe how to treat dropsical conditions in cows

Answer 21

induce/ terminate pregnancy - need to provide replacement fluids to cow
euthanasia
trochar and drain fluid

Question 22

Describe Arthrogryposis

Answer 22

Relatively common malformation
Limb ankylosis
can be seem with Schmallenberg

Question 23

List 3 possible causes of arthrogryposis

Answer 23

genetic- Charolais
viral infection in utero- schmallenberg, bluetongue, Akabane
Teratogenic plants- Lupines- not in UK yet

Question 24

What is Schistosomus reflexus

Answer 24

congenital abnormality
‘inside out’ fetuses
RARE

Question 25

what do you need to be careful not to confuse Schistosomus reflexus with

Answer 25

uterine rupture of cow this requires uterine exam

Question 26

What is Congenital chondrodysplasia

Answer 26

congenital abnormality Bulldog calves does not always cause dystocia

Question 27

List 3 breeds associated with Congenital chondrodysplasia

Answer 27

dexters holsteins jerseys

Question 28

describe Hydrocephalus

Answer 28

Increase in CSF volume  domed head Calves born alive may have neuro deficits

Question 29

what can cause hydrocephalus

Answer 29

Teratogenic viruses implicated= BVDv, BTV, Akabane virus (not UK) May also form part of mixed congenital disorders

Question 30

what is Large offspring syndrome

Answer 30

congenital abnormality ' abnormal offspring syndrome' may be 2x averge size

Question 31

what is large offspring syndrome associated with

Answer 31

embryo transfer in vitro techniques cloning

Question 32

what is ancephaly

Answer 32

no head

Question 33

what is otocephaly

Answer 33

some head structures present but no skull

Question 34

what is bicephaly

Answer 34

2 heads

Question 35

what is a Teratogen

Answer 35

agents causing fetal abnormalities or death timing of exposure influences the outcome

Question 36

if zygote exposed to teratogen what happens

Answer 36

affected by chromosomal or genetic abnormalities. Often result in embryonic death

Question 37

if embryo exposed to teratogen what happens

Answer 37

affected by environmental and infectious agents. Most high risk period for developing abnormalities

Question 38

if fetus is exposed to teratogen what happens

Answer 38

more resistant to environmental teratogens but structures that develop late are still susceptible to being affected (e.g. palate)

Question 39

List 5 common viral teratogens

Answer 39

BVD virus Border disease virus Schmallenberg virus Bluetongue virus Akabane and aino viruses

Question 40

List 4 examples of environmental teratogens

Answer 40

hemlock nitrates/ nitrities ergotism - mouldy feed lead

Question 41

List 5 examples of pharmacological teratogens

Answer 41

benzimidazoles- sheep tetracyclines- all ruminants steroids- all ruminants - abortion prostaglandins- all ruminants - abortion xylazine- all ruminantes

Question 42

at what point in gestation can PGF2a be used to terminate pregnancy

Answer 42

<100 days- 90% chance 101-150 days- 60% >150- <40% >270- will induce parturition

Question 43

how can giving glucocorticoids be used to terminate pregnancy

Answer 43

reduces placental secretion of progesterone= pregnancy loss >270 days- induces parturition

Question 44

if terminating mid-late pregnancy what drugs do you use

Answer 44

dexamethasone and prostaglandin