Pregnancy complications in large animals

Question 1

pregnancy failure

Answer 1

no fertilisation - 10%

embryonic loss

Question 2

pregnancy loss

Answer 2

Early embryonic mortality - before maternal Recognition of Pregnancy or 1st return to oestrus; regular returns
Late embryonic mortality - After MRP; irregular returns, before completion of organogenesis / foetus Foetal loss after day 42 (cow), irregular returns

Question 3

chromosomal abnormalities

Answer 3

11% in heifers

9% in cows

Question 4

infectious agents

Answer 4

Leptospira hardjo
Ureaplasma diversum 
Campylobacter fetus 
Bovine herpes virus 1 (IBR) 
Bovine virus diarrhoea virus (BVDV) 
Neospora caninum

Question 5

stress

Answer 5

can alter hormone levels

Question 6

Trauma (rectal palpation)

Answer 6

fluctuation - 4.4% loss
fluctuation + amnion - 6.1% loss
fluctuation + amnion - 9.1% loss

Question 7

iatrogenic factors

Answer 7

Corticosteroids (>255 days)
Prostaglandins
Oestrogens
Oxytocin

Question 8

hydrops

Answer 8

Oedema of placenta - Hydropsamni (hydramnios), Hydropsallantois (hydrallantois)
Variable amount of fluid
Mostly seen in the last 3 months

Question 9

hydrops - options

Answer 9

Cull
Induce parturition
2 stage caesarean section - a ways RFM, always check for second calf

Question 10

hydrops of foetus

Answer 10

Hydrocephalus
Ascites
Anasarca
Treatment - partial foetotomy, caesarean section

Question 11

Torsion of the uterus

Answer 11

End of term in cattle
Around 9 months in the mare; colic presentation Dystocia, 50%
heifers

Question 12

Torsion of the uterus - treatment

Answer 12

Direction, preference counterclockwise
Vaginal exam and rectal exam
Reposition using internal or external forces
remember which way to turn

Question 13

cervical, vaginal prolapse

Answer 13

Sheep and cattle
Often involves cervix as well as vagina
Very common
Mild to fatal

Question 14

cervical, vaginal prolapse - predisposing factors

Answer 14

High BCS / low BCS 
High roughage diets / high rumen fill 
Twins 
increased oestrogens 
Lack of exercise 
Urinary retention 
Breed, age

Question 15

cervical, vaginal prolapse - causes

Answer 15

Vaginal wall must be capable of eversion
Relaxed vagina and vestibule
A force to displace the relaxed organs

Question 16

cervical, vaginal prolapse - consequences

Answer 16

infection - caudal/cranial genital tract
Debility / inappetance
Urinary retention
Rupture of dorsal or lateral wall with visceral eventration

Question 17

cervical, vaginal prolapse - treatment

Answer 17

Necessary - pain, loss of mucus plug of cervix – infection risk
Caudal epidural - local anaesthetic (procain), Xylazine
Various treatment methods

Question 18

Uterine prolapse

Answer 18

Immediately pp 
Hypocalcaemia 
Emergency
Support when cow is standing 
Remove foetal membranes 
Epidural block 
Frog position 
Keep on pushing back 
(Use of sugar)
Bottle to push further