Pregnancy Complications Flashcards
Does fertilisation often fail?
No 90% successful - losses are due to early embryonic loss
What are the 3 potential causes of pregnancy loss?
> early embryonic mortality - before maternal recognition of pregnancy or first return to oestrus, regular returns (18-25d or 37-48d returm to oestrus) > late embryonic mortality - after MRP, irregular returns (26-36d) - before completion of organiogenesis > foetal loss - after 42d cow - irregular returns
What factors affect pregnancy rate?
> physiological
pathological
- genetic
- environmental
How do heifers embreyos differ to cows?
^% chromosomal abnormalities
How does BCS affect service success?
BCS loss 5 weeks postpartum
- 1 = 17%
1st service PregRate
How does protein affect service/conception rate?
- high protein -> ^ no. services needed for conception
Which infectious agents are responsible for pregnancy losses?
- leptospira hardjo
- ureaplasma diversum
- campylobacter fetus
- BHV1 (IBR)
- BVDV
- neospora caninum
How does feeding protein to reindeer affect them?
Kills them by urea poisoning
What is discharge from the vagina most commonly seen with?
- non specific uterine infection (endometritis)
How does ACTH affect repro?
v LH concentrations
Why may US be better than manual palpation of the pregnant cow?
^ manipulation -> ^ pregnancy losses esp with membrane slip tested
What are the 4 main iatrogenic factors to cause preg losses?
- corticosteroids >225d
- PGs
- oestrogens and mycotoxins
- OT
What may happen to the foetus if lost >42d?
- maceration
- mummification (CL persists)
- abortion (between d152-270d)
- still birth if born dead >270d or survives less than 24hours
4 common complications of late pregnancy?
- hydrops
- uterine torsion
- vaginal prolapse
- uterine prolapse
What is hydrops?
> placental oedema
- hydropsamni (hydramnios)
- hydropsallantois (hydrallantois)
When is hydrops commonly seen? Clinical signs? Tx?
- last 3 months pregnancy
- large swollen abdomen
- induce parturition, carry out 2 stage ceasar
- or cull
- check for second calf!!*
What other complications are assoiciated with hydrops?
- retained foetal membranes always
What forms of hydrops may occour in the calf?
- hydroancephalus
- ascites
- anasarca (monster)
Tx of foetal hydrops
- partial foetotomy
- C sec
When does uterine torsion occour?
- end of term cattle
- ~9 months in the mare
Clinical signs of uterine torsion
- mild colic in the mare
- spiralling vaginal folds cow
- unable to get hand intravaginally
- broad ligaments feel tight and twisted on rectal
Is uterine torsion common?
Yes 50% dystocias
- heifers more common
Which direction is most common for uterine torsion?
anticlockwise
What will occour when the uterus is untwisted?
Lots of foetal fluid expelled!
