parturition and dystocia across species WS

Question 1

what are the signs that parturition is imminent in the ewe

Answer 1

• mammary hypertrophy
• restlessness
• vulva slightly swollen
• often recumbent and straining
• water bag protruding from vulva

Question 2

what are the signs that parturition is imminent in the sow

Answer 2

• restlessness
• bed making activity if possible
• recumbency
• mammary hypertrophy
• swelling of vulva

Question 3

what are the signs that parturition is imminent in the queen

Answer 3

first stage:
- queen restless with frequent visits to nesting area. some hide away quietly straining unproductively

second stage:
- straining in lateral recumbency
- expulsion of kittens rapid with short interval between birth
- sometimes very variable - may be as long as 24 hours
- queen can interrupt parturition if disturbed and will resume later
- placentae usually attached

Question 4

what are the signs that parturition is imminent in the bitch

Answer 4

• nesting activity
• mammary hypertrophy
• restless, panting
• loss of appetite
• green vulval discharge can be noted

Question 5

list some husbandry considerations for parturition across the species

Answer 5

sheep: ideally keep in handy paddock/lambing yard, clean well bedded pen availible post-parturition, frequent observation
ability to isolate ewes if infectious abortion suspected
sow:sow udders should be washed, introduced to farrowing cradle (so dont crush piglets), piglet death often due to overlying of sow, gilt may savage (eat), night time farrowing staff recommended, last 2 piglets may be dificult (exhaustion), cleaning farrowing crates
queen: nesting area that is private, most cats very secretive
bitch: whelping box, unobtrusive observation, decreased rectal temp

Question 6

what behavioural and biological indices would indicate that a heifer is actually calving

Answer 6

• bagging up
• softening of sacral ligaments
• glancing around
• water bag
• restlessness
• tail raised
• straining
• slime (allantochorion)

Question 7

what behavioural and biological indices would indicatee that a mare is foaling

Answer 7

• restlessness
• vulva relaxed
• discharge of fluid
• straining
• mammary development
• recumbent
• sweating
• flank watching
• kicking at abdomen

Question 8

outline time frames of parturition in the mare

Answer 8

gestation length: 11 months
1st stage: 1-4 hours
2nd stage: 30 minutes
3rd stage: 0.5-3 hours

Question 9

outline time frames of parturition in the cow

Answer 9

gestation length: 283 days
1st stage: 6-12 hr
2nd stage: 0.5-4 h
3rd stage: 4-12 hr

Question 10

outline time frames of parturition in the sow

Answer 10

gestation lengths: 3 months 3 weeks 3 days
1st stage: 12-24 hr
2nd stage: 2-6 hr

Question 11

outline time frames of parturition in the ewe

Answer 11

gestation length: 5 months
1st stage: 2-6 h
2nd stage: 0.5-2 h
3rd stage: 0.5 - 8 h

Question 12

outline time frames of parturition in the queen

Answer 12

gestation length: 65-70 d
1st stage: 1-2 h for first kitten
2nd stage: can pause for 12-24 hours
3rd stage: membranes passed soon after each kitten

Question 13

outline time frames of parturition in the bitch

Answer 13

gestation length: 63-65 d
1st stage: 6-24 h for 1st pup
2nd stage: 10-30 min 1st pup total 2-24 hr
3rd stage: membranes passed soon after each pup

Question 14

list causes of dysocia in the different species

Answer 14