Exam 3 - Bovine C-Section, Castration, & Prolapse Flashcards
cervical prolapses are most common in what cows?
bos indicus breeds - brahmins
how do you determine the possibility of vaginal extraction in a cow with a calf in anterior presentation?
look to see if both forelimbs & head are in the pelvic canals
if the legs are crossed, it will not fit!!! need to do a c-section
why can’t you immediately try to pull a calf after seeing both front legs exiting the vaginal canal of a cow?
you need to see if the head is also in the pelvic canal - if you try & pull them without checking them, you will only get them stuck further & guarantee the need for a c-section
what are some reasons you may have to do a c-section in a food animal?
maybe too big of fetus
abortion
fetal malpositioning
uterus pushing against a closed cervix - especially in sheep
calcium deficiency
what does it mean if you palpate a dead calf & feel crepitus?
very bad!!!! anaerobic consumption going on & mother cow is very much so at risk
T/F: anterior positioning of calves during cow parturition is often mishandled
true
what epidural is done in cows to keep them standing for a c-section?
sacro-coccygeal block
how is a sacro-coccygeal (caudal epidural) block done on a cow?
the S4-Co1 or Co1-Co2 space (whichever is most cranial) is located by elevating & lowering the tail while palpating the area & identifying the space at which the tail hinges
needle is passed into this space on midline between the vertebrae - hub of needle is filled with saline & needle is advanced until the fluid is aspirated as it enters the epidural space (negative pressure within the epidural space)
what is the purpose of doing an epidural prior to a c-section on a cow?
it will prevent evisceration & straining during surgery
what is the general dose of lidocaine used for cow c-section epidurals?
6 mL of 2% lidocaine for every 1000 lbs
what is the toxic dose of lidocaine for small ruminants? is this your starting point for a dose? why?
toxic dose is 10 mg/kg - not you’re starting dose
start with 5 mg/kg & don’t go above it without intention (1/2 mL 2% lidocaine/100 lb)
what is quotient sufficient in terms of diluting lidocaine for a block?
“1 mL of lidocaine q/s 6” - 1 ml of lidocaine diluted with 6 mL of saline to get a big enough volume to get all of the nerves you want
what are the 3 possible approaches that may be taken for a c-section?
left paralumbar fossa (vertical or oblique)
right paralumbar fossa (vertical or oblique)
ventral paramedian
what does your c-section approach depend on?
dairy vs. beef animal
status of cow & calf
facilities & labor
location of the pregnancy
how do you determine the location of a pregnancy in a cow prior to deciding your approach for a c-section?
rectal palpation!!!!
why is a left paralumbar approach preferable to a right paralumbar approach for a c-section?
intestines are located on the right side, so you can avoid them on the left
what are some examples of an elective c-section? what is the prognosis?
embryo transfer calves
live calf prior to the initiation of natural calving
healthy dam
good prognosis for dam & fetus
what are some examples of a non-emphysematous c-section in a cow?
healthy dam
fetus may or may not be alive
good to guarded prognosis (good for mom & guarded for fetus)
what are some examples of an emphysematous c-section in a cow?
dead, rotten fetus!!!!!!
compromised health status of the dam
poorer prognosis for mom
T/F: before doing emergency surgery in a cow with an emphysematous fetus, you should stabilize the cow prior
true