Parturition complications - large animals

Question 1

How many oocytes are fertilised if inseminated at the correct time?

Answer 1

90%

Question 2

When does most calf mortality occur?

Answer 2

By day 42 gestation

Question 3

Define early embryonic loss

Answer 3

Before MRP or first return to oestrous

–> regular return to oestrous

Question 4

Define late embryonic mortality

Answer 4

After MRP, before completion of organogenesis/foetus

–> irregular returns

Question 5

Define foetal loss

Answer 5

After day 42 (cow),

irregular returns

Question 6

What 2 categories affect pregnancy rate (PR)?

Answer 6

Physiological

Pathological - genetic or environmental

Question 7

How significant are chromosome abnormalities to creating abnormal embryos?

Answer 7

about 10% abnormal (little heifer/cow variation)

Question 8

How does BCS loss 5 weeks PP affect 1st service PR?

Answer 8

65% PR
0.5-1 => 53% PR
>1 => 17% PR

Thus PR seems to be related to energy balance

Question 9

How does crude protein (CP) affect services/conception?

Answer 9

Increase % CP in diet –> increases the number of days open and the number of services/conception. This is because increasing CP decreases the proportion of energy in the diet.

Question 10

List some infectious agents that can cause pregnancy losses

Answer 10

Leptospira hardjo
Ureaplasma diversum
Campylobacter fetus
BHV-1 (IBR)
BVDV
Neospora caninum

Typically early loses aren’t due to infectious agents but do keep these as differentials at the back of your mind

Question 11

What does fluctuation do during rectal palpation?

Answer 11

allows determination of whether there is fluid in the uterus

Question 12

How does rectal palpation affect pregnancy loss?

Answer 12

Increased interference –> increased loss (trauma)

Question 13

Name iatrogenic factors causing pregnancy loss - 4

Answer 13

Corticosteroids (>255 days)
Prostaglandins
Oestrogens (mycotoxins)
Oxytocin

Question 14

How does AI sire affect PR?

Answer 14

Some variation in terms of whether sire is below/above average but not hugely different. Now PR are increasing because of better bull selection.

Question 15

What happens during foetal loss after 42 days?

Answer 15

Maceration
Mummification (CL persists)
Abortion (152-270 days)
Stillbirth (after 270 days)

Question 16

Define hydrops

Answer 16

Oedema of the placenta:
Hydropsamni/hydropamnios
Hydropsallantois/hydrallantois

Variable amount of fluid
Mostly seen in last 3 months

Question 17

Treatment options - hydrops

Answer 17

Cull
Induce parturition (prostaglandins > corticosteroids)
2 stage C-section (remove fluid then calf)

N.b. always RFM and always check for 2nd calf

Question 18

Outline foetal hydrops

Answer 18

Hydrocephalus
Ascites
Anascara (widespread/generalised oedema)

Question 19

Treatment - foetal hydrops

Answer 19

Partial foetotomy

C-section

Question 20

When does uterine torsion occur?

Answer 20

End of term (Cattle)
9 months gestation (mare, colic presentation)
Usually a counterclockwise direction (80% cases)

Question 21

Treatment options - uterine torsion

Answer 21

Vagina/rectal exam - determine direction of torsion
Reposition - internal/external forces
Remember which way to turn

Question 22

Cervical vaginal prolapse - predisposing factors

Answer 22

High/low BCS
High roughage diets/ high rumen fill
Twins
Increased oestrogens (mycotoxins)
Lack of exericse
Urinary retention (--> straining)
Breed (and inherited through generations)
Age

Question 23

Consequences - cervical vaginal prolapse - 4

Answer 23

Infection - caudal/cranial genital tract (may –> abortion)
Debility/inappetence (pain)
Urinary retention
Rupture of dorsal or lateral wall with visceral eventration

Question 24

Treatment - cervical vaginal prolapse

Answer 24

Necessary - pain and loss of cervical mucous plug
Caudal epidural - Local (procain) or xylazine (longer acting)
Various methods (harness, spoon, Buhner)

Question 25

When does uterine prolapse occur?

Answer 25

Immediately PP
Hypocalcaemia
EMERGENCY!

Question 26

Actions - uterine prolapse

Answer 26

Removal foetal membranes
Epidural block
Frog position (makes pushing back in easier)
Keep on pushing back
Sugar - used externally to remove fluids (?)
Bottle to push further (and ensure no micro-prolapses)
Buhner
Ca (if indicated)
NSAIDs

Question 27

What are 2 possible outcomes of uterine prolapse if untreated?

Answer 27

Uterine perforation

Uterine artery rupture so bleeds to death in peritoneal cavity