LA Postpartum Disorders

Question 1

Postpartum period

Answer 1

period extending from delivery until the maternal organism has returned to normal non-pregnant state

Question 2

When is uterine involution complete in the cow?

Answer 2

45 days post-partum

1st ovulation may occur around 3-4 weeks but should not be rebred

Question 3

When should lochia pass in the postpartum cow?

Answer 3

1-2 weeks

Question 4

When do small ruminants start cycling post-partum?

Answer 4

do not start cycling until the subsequent breeding season

Question 5

When should small ruminants be bred again?

Answer 5

~ 3 months post-partum, goal is 3 kid crops every 2 years

Question 5

When do pigs resume cycling post-partum?

Answer 5

4-7 day post-weaning

Question 6

Physiologic post-partum anestrus

Answer 6

cows normally not in estrus for several weeks post calving

allows body to recover

Question 7

Pathologic post-partum anestrus

Answer 7

extended anestrus period due to physiologic factors (suckling, genetics, milk yield), nutrition, management, environmental, or pathological disease

Question 8

How to treat post-partum anestrus (2)?

Answer 8

• correct underlying issues
• progesterone-based synchronization protocols

Question 9

Retained placenta

Answer 9

fail to expel placenta within 12-24 hours of calving

common in dairy cows

Question 10

Predisposing factors for retained placenta (6)

Answer 10

• twinning
• dysotcia
• induction
• abortion
• vitamin E and selenium deficiency
• infection

Question 11

Treating retained placentas

Answer 11

1. if cow is normal – no treatment needed ( takes 5-7 days to expel and may come out in pieces)
2. if cow is sick – systemic antibiotics (ceftiofur, penicillin), fluids, NSAIDs

Question 12

Metritis

Answer 12

inflammation of the uterine wall that tends to occur within 2 weeks of calving

Question 13

Clinical Signs of Metritis

Answer 13

• watery, brown uterine discharge
• fever
• foul odor
• large, fluid filled uterus on palpation

Question 14

Predisposing factors for metritis (4)

Answer 14

• retained placenta
• obstetrical intervention (dystocia, twins)
• abortion
• dirty calving environment

Question 15

Most common pathogens in metritis

Answer 15

• truperella pyogenes
• e.coli

Question 16

treating metritis (5)

Answer 16

• NSAIDs
• systemic antibiotics
• uterine lavage
• IV fluids
• oxytocin (if within 24 hours of calving)

Question 17

Sequela to metritis (5)

Answer 17

• salpingitis
• ovarian adhesions
• peritonits
• endometrirtis
• reduced fertility

Question 18

Endometritis

Answer 18

inflammation limited to the endometrium that usually ocurs <21 days post-partum

Question 19

Endometritis is a common sequala to…

Answer 19

metritis

Question 20

Diagnosing endometritis

Answer 20

• uterine palpation (asymmetrical enlargement of the uterine horn)
• ultrasound
• endometrial cytology or biopsy (high neutrophils)

Question 21

Clinical signs of endometritis

Answer 21

effects are limited to fertility, no systemic illness

Question 22

Treating endometritis

Answer 22

systemic ceftiofur or ampicillin, time, and prostaglandin if CL is present (usually not)

Question 23

Pyometra

Answer 23

accumulation of various amount of pus in the uterus and a persistent corpus luteum and closed cervix

Question 24

Etiology of pyometra

Answer 24

• uterine infection following the formation of the CL causing an accumulation of pus during the luteal phase

reduced prostaglandin release from impaired endometrium and PGE production from WBCs in the pus

Question 25

Diagnosing pyometra

Answer 25

• occurs postpartum after 1st ovulation
• large uterus filled with pus

Question 26

Treating pyometra

Answer 26

• prostaglandin, repeat in 14 days

Question 27

What should you NOT do with a uterine prolapse?

Answer 27

transport – uterine veins at risk of rupturing
* keep cow contained

Question 28

Uterine prolapse

Answer 28

Usually associated with hypocalcemia

Question 29

treatment of uterine prolapse

Answer 29

• caudal epidural anesthesia
• clean prolapsed tissue with hypertonixc saline or dextrose to reduce edema
• lift prolpased mass to relieve urine
• replace prolapsed tissue
• retention sutures
• antibiotics, NSAIDs, calcium, oxytocin
• amputation as a salvage procedure

Question 30

Calving paralysis

Answer 30

obturator nerve paralysis that occurs when delivering a large calf

Question 31

Hypocalcemia

Answer 31

associated with high milk production, usually within 48 hours of calving

Question 32

Clinical sings of hypocalcemia

Answer 32

progessive muscular weakness/recumbency, muscle twitching, anorexia, cold temeprature, rapid pulse

Question 33

Treating hypocalcemia

Answer 33

IV and oral calcium

Question 34

Clinical signs of pyometra in cows (3)

Answer 34

• anestrus
• large uterus
• no systemic illness

Question 35

Treating calving paralysis

Answer 35

• steroids
• frequent lifting
• hobbles
• time

Question 36

Ketosis usually occurs….

Answer 36

during highest milk production (within 21 days of calving)

Question 37

Clinical signs of ketosis

Answer 37

• drop in milk production
• decreased feed intake
• recumbency
• ketonuria

Question 38

Treating ketosis

Answer 38

• oral propylene glycol
• IV fluids
• vitamin B12

Question 39

Cows with ketosis are prone to developing…

Answer 39

RDA or LDA

Question 40

Small ruminants have an increased risk of _____ with dystocia

Answer 40

vaginal/uterine tears

Question 41

In small ruminants, milk fever and ketosis are usually ___

Answer 41

pre-partum (post-partum in cows)