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Clinical Reproduction > Parturition, Induction and Dystocia > Flashcards

Parturition, Induction and Dystocia Flashcards

1
Q

Why might we induce a dam to give birth?

A

1) Save the life of the fetus or dam

2) When gestation has gone passed the due date and there is the risk of dystocia from an oversized fetus

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2
Q

What are the requirements around Parturition Induction?

A

1) Viable fetus. e.g. mature lung surfactant
2) Delivery must not damage the offspring. e.g. high intra-uterine pressure
3) Dam must sustain the neonate. e.g. produce colostrum/ milk and bond with the offspring

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3
Q

What are the indications for Induction?

A

Clinical vs Management

Clinical: anticipate a large fetus, dam is ill or fetus is dead

Management: parturition in the presence of a skilled assistant (sows)

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4
Q

What are the available Inducing Agents that we have at our disposal?

A
  • Corticosteroids: mimics the cortisol response initiated by the fetus
  • Prostaglandins: luteolytic activity, used in species that maintain a luteal during pregnancy (not effective in sheep)
  • Anti-progesterone agents: block progesterone production
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5
Q

What are the Stimulation Agents that we have at our disposal?

A
  • Calcium salts: increase contractility
  • Oxytocin
  • Prostaglandin
  • Beta-blockers: dont actually stimulate, but will reduce stress effect. Not commonly used
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6
Q

When would you induce a mare to give birth/ Indications to induce a mare?

A
  • In an emergency
  • If the mare is waxing (producing beads of colostrum from her teats)
  • If there is a change in the mares colostrum
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7
Q

What is the average gestation of the mare? and the range?

A

Average: 340 days

Range: 320 - 365 days

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8
Q

What are the steps/ drugs used to induce a healthy mare?

A

Oxytocin given IV drip over the last few days of pregnancy

If her cervix opens (2 fingers wide) then give 120 IU/ 360-600kg and foaling will occur in 15-60 mins

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9
Q

What are the steps/ drugs used to induce a sick mare where you are trying to save the life of the foal?

A

Dexamethasone 100mg/day for 4 days starting at day 321

Caution: dystocia may occur due to incomplete rotation

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10
Q

What is the gestational length/ range of Cattle?

A

278 - 290 days

Note: generally if you induce before day 270 you will get a non-viable calf

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11
Q

What Inducing Agents can we use in a cow?

A

SAFER: Corticosteroids (long vs short acting), but may immunosuppress

  • Prostaglandins: causes explosive contractions which can be a problem if the cervix is not dilated
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12
Q

What are the pros and cons of using long acting vs short acting corticosteroids in the pregnant cow?

A

long acting: less predictable but more physiologically normal

short acting: more predictable but rapid

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13
Q

What are the 2 Combined Inducing Agent Protocols we might use to induce a cow?

A

1) Long acting steroid 10-14 days before term, followed by a short-acting steroid or PG 8 days later
2) Short acting steroid + PG = get a rapid response, she will calve down b/w 36 - 72 hours. Used in emergencies

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14
Q

What is the average gestational length of the sheep?

A

152 days

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15
Q

What is the only Inducing Agent available to us for sheep, and why?

A

Corticosteroids

Because the placenta is the source of progesterone

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16
Q

How far along is it recommended to wait to Induce a Sheep?

A

142 days minimum

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17
Q

What is the protocol for inducing a sheep?

A

Single IM injection 6 days before expected due date, she will give birth 2-3 days later

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18
Q

What is the gestational period of the Sow?

A

3 months, 3 weeks, 3 days

= 113 - 115 days

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19
Q

Why would we induce a sow?

A

To reduce piglet mortality

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20
Q

What is the Induction protocol for a healthy Sow?

A
  • Prostaglandin on days 112-113 between 8am - 10am = most will farrow the next day afternoon
  • +/- Oxytocin 24 hours after = will speed up time of farrowing
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21
Q

What is the Induction protocol for a sick Sow?

A

Corticosteroids: 75-100mg injected daily on days 101 - 104

She will farrow on day 109

Caution: piglet survival rate is low, but might save the sow if emergent

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22
Q

What is the Induction protocol in dogs?

A

Oxytocin: 2 - 5 IU

Note: a vaginal exam should be done to make sure she is ready to whelp

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23
Q

Why might we want to delay parturition, and how can we do it?

A

Used in dystocia cases when we want the dam to stop pushing/ contracting

Clenbuterol: cows, sows, ewes

24
Q

What are the 2 main types of Dystocia?

A

Maternal Dystocia vs Fetal Dystocia

Maternal: constriction/ narrowing of the birth canal + failure of expulsion

Fetal: fetal-maternal disproportion

25
What is the most common form of maternal dystocia?
Incomplete Cervical Dilation
26
What causes Incomplete Cervical Dilation in the cow?
1) Hormonal dysfunction 2) Inadequate physical dilation 3) Hypocalcemia 4) Scar tissue from previous injury or calving
27
How can you treat Incomplete Cervical Dilation in the cow?
- Try to manually dilate | - C-section if unsuccessful
28
What is the laymens term for Incomplete Cervical Dilation in sheep?
Ringwomb because a fibrous ring can be felt in the anterior cervix Note: it is the most common cause of dystocia in sheep
29
What is the cause of Incomplete Cervical Dilation in Sheep?
- Hormonal disorder = high estrogen/ low prostaglandin - High incidence following pre-parturient prolapse of the vagina. This happens because of excess relaxation of the pelvic tissues and increased intra-abdominal pressure Risk factors include: breed, high dietary estrogen, overconditioning and a sloping environment
30
What are the stages of vaginal prolapse in sheep?
Stage 1: vagina prolapses when recumbent but disappears when standing Stage 2: vagina prolapses and stays out when standing Stage 3: vagina prolapses and cervix can be seen
31
What is the treatment for a prolapsed vagina in the sheep?
Stage 1 - 2: clean, replace, retain Stage 3: Epidural anesthetic +/- xylazine and place a suture e.g. purse-string suture
32
What animals is Incomplete Relaxation of the Vagina/ Vulva commonly seen?
- Heifers - Overconditioned animals - Seen in animals that have been interrupted during the parturition - Seen in older animals after previous birthing injuries
33
What is the treatment for Incomplete Relaxation of the Vagina/ Vulva?
- Try to manually stretch and open - Episiotomy but NOT into the rectum. INcise vulval lips at 10 or 3 o'clock, then suture with non-absorbable suture to re-establish normal vaginal morphology Note: this WILL impact future parturitions, must warn owner
34
What are the 2 types of Vaginal Cystocele?
1) Prolapse of bladder through the urethra (common in mare) | 2) Protrusion of the bladder through a rupture in the vaginal floor
35
What must you do with an animal that has a Vaginal Cystocele?
1) Stop dam from straining/ pushing (Clenbuterol in ewe, sow and cow) 2) Epidural +/- general sedation 3) Type 1: differentiate from protruding fetal membranes, then invert via manipulation Type 2: invert organ through the rupture and suture
36
What animals is uterine torsion more commonly seen in?
Cattle (7 - 8%) Alpacas
37
What are the clinical signs associated with a uterine torsion?
- prolonged 1st stage of labour - cow may show discomfort by rocking back and forth - torsion of birth canal may cause the lips of the vagina to be pulled in
38
What is the treatment for uterine torsion?
- Rotate | - Laparotomy +/- C-section
39
Define Uterine Expulsive Deficiency
A deficiency in the contractility of the myometrium to successfully expel the fetus
40
What causes Uterine Expulsive Deficiency?
- Hypocalcemia - Exhaustion - Overexcitement: the dog can go into a nervous voluntary inhibition of labour, and sows can go into hysteria - Single pup/ kitten Syndrome = too low ACTH and cortisol to initiate parturition
41
What is the treatment of Uterine Expulsive Deficiency?
- Oxytocin - Assisted delivery - Calcium - Stressnil (in sows) - C-section
42
Of the domestic species (pigs, dogs and cats, horses, cattle and sheep), list them from major dystocia cases to minor/ rare dystocia cases
Cattle > Sheep > Dogs and Cats > rare in horses and pigs
43
What are the reasons for feto-maternal Disproportion?
- Increased mass - Inappropriate conformation - Birth canal too narrow or incorrect shape
44
The calf's birth weight is dependent on what factors?
- Breed: calf will average the size of dam and sire. double muscling? - Sex: males > females - Season and Climate: Calf born after cold winter = bigger (more blood flow to keep calf alive during cold) - Nutrition of Dam: only severe nutritional deficiency w/in last 90 days of gestation will influence birth weight - Length of Gestation: longer gestation have greater dystocia rates - IVF: constituents of the media used during IVF seem to create bigger calves (compared to AI or natural service). Also more likely to get fetal malformations
45
What is the most common type of Bovine Dystocia?
- Anterior Presentation Heifers have a hard time birthing fetal head then the rest of calf is delivered normally Cows have a hard time birthing bulky shoulders or chest
46
How can we measure/ predict if a birthing will be difficult?
- Sire known - Gestation Length known If Inter-ischial distance to Digital Diameter is less than 2.25 then it will be a difficult delivery - Trial Traction Test: place hand in birth canal when calf head and feet are out, and see if there is any wiggle room
47
What can you do if you know there will be a difficult calving?
- Traction - Episiotomy - C-section - Fetotomy: removal of dead calf when C-section is not possible
48
What can you do if you know there will be a difficult lambing?
- If fetus is alive: traction on limbs and head with snares and lubricants - If fetus is dead: fetotomy by removing fetal leg note: common cause of dystocia in the ewe is bulky body features from ram
49
What can you do if you know there will be a difficult foaling?
- C-section is best | - CANNOT use traction on the head unless fetus is dead, delayed osseous union of fetal skull makes it risky
50
When a fetus is being birthed, there are 3 dispositions you want to describe, what are they?
Presentation: anterior or posterior (head first or butt first) Position: dorsal or ventral (right way up or up-side-down) Posture: disposition of fetal head + limbs
51
What tests can you do to check for signs of life in a fetus?
- Pedal Reflex - Ocular Reflex - Suck Reflex caution: if the head has been stuck in the canal for a long time, you may get a false negative caution: if the fetus is 'paddling' it is a sign of hypoxia
52
What is Fetal mummification and what is the treatment in cattle?
- Fetus dies and the CL persists - The fluids get resorbed and the fetus dehydrates - Dam will fail to calf at expected time Tx: PGF2alpha + lubrication +/- traction
53
What is fetal Maceration and what is the treatment?
- Fetus dies and CL regresses - No parturition occurs - soft tissue gets digested by bacteria, leaving behind bits of bone that can embed in the uterine wall - Leads to chronic endometritis and irritation Tx: difficult/ impossible
54
What is the definition for fetal mortality? Hint: Best described in bovine
Calf death prior to, during or within 48 hours of calving, following a gestation period of at least 260 days, irrespective of the cause of death or the circumstances of the calving
55
When do the majority of calf deaths occur?
Within 1 hour of calving (75%) Pre-partum (10%) Post partum (15%)

Clinical Reproduction (9 decks)

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