Dystocia Flashcards
What is dystocia?
Abnormal foaling - must call vet
How do you manage a mal-positioned foal?
Mutation & traction - assisted delivery, repositioning of the foal and pulling the foal
How do manage a dead foal mal-positioned or deformed?
Fetotomy
How to manage a live foal, mal-positioning that cannot easily be corrected, or grossly over-sized in relation to birth canal?
Caesarean section, Ideally within 1hr stage 2 labour, ventral mid-line incision.
What is the correct position for the foal?
anterior, longitudinal, dorsosacral, extended.
Name the 5 ways a foal can be mal-positioned.
- flexion of one or both forelegs at delivery
- a significant misalignment of the hoof of one leg and fetlock of the other
- the forelegs positioned over foals head
- ventral position of foal
- breech positioned
What is a uterine rupture, and what surface does it occur on?
Full or partial thickness laceration to the uterine wall. Usually occurs on ventral surface.
what is the aetiology of uterine rupture?
violent foetal movement, uterine torsion, mutation in case of dystocia.
What are the clinical signs of uterine rupture?
colic, severe haemorrhage leading to shock, minor or no haemorrhage with no signs, peritonitis.
how is uterine rupture treated?
oxytocin, surgical repair if peritonitis.
what is the prognosis of uterine rupture?
guarded, may breed again but with complications.
what is uterine prolapse?
Uterus is pushed out of vagina and vulva.
what is the aetiology of a uterine prolapse?
prolonged dystocia, forceful or fat extraction of foal, extraction before reproductive tract relaxed.
what are the risks of uterine prolapse?
uterine tears and haemorrhage, infection and toxic shock, rupture of ovarian arteries.
how is a uterine prolapse treated?
sedate, hold up uterus to reduce negative effects of gravity, examine and clean, gently replace.
what is the prognosis of a uterine prolapse?
good
what is a retained placenta, what is the prevalence?
Failure to deliver placenta 3hr post partum, most common dystocia (2-10% prevalence).
what is the aetiology of a retained placenta?
dystocia, caesarean section, induction, Ca:P imbalance. Se deficiency, fatigue, uterine inertia, history.
how are retained placentas treated?
tie up placenta that is visible, oxytocin and gentle manual removal
what is a uterine torsion?
Uterus twists. Usually an issue during late gestation rather than parturition.
what is the aetiology of a uterine torsion?
often unknown, sudden foetal movement, rolling.
what is the diagnosis of a uterine torsion?
rectal palpation which reveals direction of twist.
what is the treatment of uterine torsion?
- During parturition, when cervix is relaxed, reach foetus and rock it to correct torsion
- Pre-partum or alternatively use Schaffer ‘plank in the flank’ method
- Surgical connection
Once corrected: check foal visibility, assisted delivery with careful traction, monitor for uterine rupture.
what is the prognosis of uterine torsion?
good. 50% foals survive, 70% mares
