FAC44: The Pregnant Cow

Question 1

What is normal gestation of a cow is ?

Answer 1

280-285 days

Question 2

What do cotyledonary attachments attach?

Answer 2

Between placental cotyledons and uterine caruncles

Question 3

At what point are placentomes palpable?

Answer 3

3 months gestation

Question 4

What is the key source of progesterone?

Answer 4

CL until 120-150 days

Adrenals and placenta beyond 150 days

Question 5

How do you terminate a pregnancy before day 150? after?

Answer 5

Before 150: prostaglandin

After 150: corticosteroids and PG

Question 6

What are the possible consequences of fetal death in utero?

Answer 6

• Abortion with no associated problems
• Fetal mummification
• Fetal maceration
• Pyometra

Question 7

Describe the aetiology of fetal mummification?

Answer 7

Fetal death, CL maintained and cervix remains closed

Fetal fluids are gradually resorbed and fetus preserved in a mummified state

Question 8

How do you treat a mummified fetus?

Answer 8

Try prostaglandin injection

May need manual assistance

Luteolysis may occur but failure of expulsion

Question 9

What happens during fetal maceration?

Answer 9

Fetal death > cervix partially dilates > decomposition proceeds

Question 10

How to deal with fetal maceration?

Answer 10

Best to cull

Question 11

What ist he cause of pre-partum metritis/emphysema?

Answer 11

Due to dystocia or abortion agent causing fetal death

Question 12

How do you treat pre-partum metritis/emphysema?

Answer 12

Remove her vaginum

Question 13

What is the cause of hydramnios?

Answer 13

Associated with fetal abnormality

Question 14

What is the cause of hydrallantois?

Answer 14

Associated with placental abnormalities

Question 15

When does hydrallantois occur?

Answer 15

Last 2 months of gestation

Question 16

How do you treat hydrallantois?

Answer 16

May go to term with no problems

May need to be induced (dexamethasone/PG)

Assistance may be required due to uterine inertia

May require surgery (if cow becomes recumbent or anorexic) - drainage of fluid and removal of foetus by caesarian

Question 17

What is the cause of hydrocephalus?

Answer 17

Abnormal CSF ciruclation

Question 18

What is fetal anasarca?

Answer 18

Grossly swollen foetus due to subQ fluids

Question 19

How do you treat fetal ascites?

Answer 19

Will cause dystocia - may require embryotomy or caesarian

Question 20

How do you treat a prolapsed cervix/vagina?

Answer 20

Need to replace and retain until calving

Use epidural anaesthetic and Buhner suture