FAC44: The Pregnant Cow Flashcards
What is normal gestation of a cow is ?
280-285 days
What do cotyledonary attachments attach?
Between placental cotyledons and uterine caruncles
At what point are placentomes palpable?
3 months gestation
What is the key source of progesterone?
CL until 120-150 days
Adrenals and placenta beyond 150 days
How do you terminate a pregnancy before day 150? after?
Before 150: prostaglandin
After 150: corticosteroids and PG
What are the possible consequences of fetal death in utero?
- Abortion with no associated problems
- Fetal mummification
- Fetal maceration
- Pyometra
Describe the aetiology of fetal mummification?
Fetal death, CL maintained and cervix remains closed
Fetal fluids are gradually resorbed and fetus preserved in a mummified state
How do you treat a mummified fetus?
Try prostaglandin injection
May need manual assistance
Luteolysis may occur but failure of expulsion
What happens during fetal maceration?
Fetal death > cervix partially dilates > decomposition proceeds
How to deal with fetal maceration?
Best to cull
What ist he cause of pre-partum metritis/emphysema?
Due to dystocia or abortion agent causing fetal death
How do you treat pre-partum metritis/emphysema?
Remove her vaginum
What is the cause of hydramnios?
Associated with fetal abnormality
What is the cause of hydrallantois?
Associated with placental abnormalities
When does hydrallantois occur?
Last 2 months of gestation
How do you treat hydrallantois?
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
What is the cause of hydrocephalus?
Abnormal CSF ciruclation
What is fetal anasarca?
Grossly swollen foetus due to subQ fluids
How do you treat fetal ascites?
Will cause dystocia - may require embryotomy or caesarian
How do you treat a prolapsed cervix/vagina?
Need to replace and retain until calving
Use epidural anaesthetic and Buhner suture
