Parturition Flashcards
in general, predicting _______ is easier than predicting __________
non-parturition; parturition will happen
What is the gestation length of the:
bitch
63d +/- 1d from ovulation
What is the gestation length of the:
queen
58-68d
What is the gestation length of the:
Cow
278-293d
What is the gestation length of the:
Mare
341 +/- 2-3 weeks
What is the gestation length of the:
Ewe
144-151
What is the gestation length of the:
Doe
147-155
Mares foaling ___ to _____ have ~ __ day longer gestation
Jan to March; 10 days
For what species is progesterone drop a good indicator of parturition
cows (drops to < 1ng/ml) and bitch (drop in rectal temp of 1-2 degrees)
T/F progesterone drop is used often to indicate parturition in cows
F; expensive and not practical to do for a herd
what are 4 physical signs of impending parturition
1) engorgement of milk vein
2) mammary gland development
3) poor tail tone
4) changes in body shape
what is the progression of 5 physical signs of parturition in mares (note, some overlap with general physical signs of parturition)
what are 4 other physical signs of parturition in mares?
1) pelvic ligaments relax
2) belly drops
3) mammary gland development
4) milk vein engorgement
5) milk electrolyte and pH changes
6) filling of teats -> down n out
7) waxing
8) lengthening of vulva
9) expulsion of mucus plug from cervix
what are the physical signs of pelvic ligament relaxation
1) obvious tail head
2) sunken mm.
3) semitendinosus and semimembranosus mm look soft
growth of the mare’s udder occurs in the last ________ of gestation
waxing of the teats occurs within _______ before birth
2-4 weeks; 48h
Na and K invert how many hours before delivery
24-48h
When predicting parturition in the mare, it is best to use all signs together. These signs include (7):
- due date
- history
- udder development
- pelvic ligament relaxation
- milk composition
- vulva
- behaviour
Describe the following stages of labour:
- stage 1
- stage 2
- stage 3
stage 1: uterine contractions, repositioning of fetus, dilation of cervix
stage 2: rupture of chorioallantois and delivery of foal
stage 3: passage of placenta
What are the signs of stage 1 in the:
cow
anorexia, arched back, restless, elevated tail
What are the signs of stage 1 in the:
mare
anorexia, colicky, sweating, frequent urination/defecation
What are the signs of stage 1 in the:
bitch
panting, vomiting, nesting, restless
What are the signs of stage 1 in the:
ewe/doe
separate from flock, nesting, restless
What is the length of stage 1 in the:
cow
1-24h (avg. 6)
What is the length of stage 1 in the:
mare
0.5-6h (average 2)
What is the length of stage 1 in the:
bitch
6-12h
What is the length of stage 1 in the:
ewe/doe
1-6h
What is the length of stage 2 in the:
cow
1-8h (heifers take longer)
What is the length of stage 2 in the:
mare
5-30 minutes (average 15 minutes!!)
What is the length of stage 2 in the:
bitch
3-6h
average 30 minutes per pup
What is the length of stage 2 in the:
ewe/doe
1 h (2 for multiples)
What is the length of stage 3 in the queen/bitch
often passed with the puppies/kittens
What is the length of stage 3 in cows
6-12h
What is the length of stage 3 in the mare
<3h
What is the length of stage 3 in the ewe/doe
1-12h
what is the fetal position in late gestation in the mare and when does this happen
feet become trapped in the limb horn; begins 8 months gestation and stays this way until term
what is the most common cause of dystocia in the mare
poor positioning
T/F sometimes there are no outward signs of stage one labour in the mare
T
stage 2 begins with
breaking of the chorioallantois (water)
rupture of the chorioallantois occurs at the
cervical star
what do you want to see in a mare after the rupture of the chorioallantois
grey-white amniotic sac appearing at the vulva
mares give birth in what position
lateral recumbancy
how do contractions occur in the mare
groups of 3-4 followed by a short rest
T/F foals are usually born within the allantioc sac
F; within the amniotic sac
what happens after the front half of the foal is delivered
mare will rest and the foals initial movements will break the cord and result in complete delivery of the hindlegs
Within _____ the foal should be sternal, within _____ the foal should be standing and within _____ the foal should be nursing
minutes; 1-2h; 2-4
the chorioallantois and amnion are delivered inside out, meaning that the ________ surface is on the outside and the ________ surface is on the inside
allantoic; chorionic
a red bag delivery means we are seeing what at the vulva (instead of the usual what)
we are seeing the chorion at the vulva instead of the amnion
what does a red bag delivery mean and why is it an emergency
the chorion is prematurely separating from the uterus and the fetus is now in a hypoxic state
you get a call from a client that their mare is foaling and they can see a red bag protruding from the vulva; what do you tell them?
this is an absolute emergency and they need to manually rupture the membrane and deliver the foal immediately
when would help be needed when giving birth
1) failure to progress as expected (usual timeline)
2) improper position
3) nose or foot coming out of the rectum instead of vagina
4) straining with no progress
