Reproduction Flashcards
How does oestrus behaviour compare between high yielding cows and other cows?
High yielding cows exhibit shorter oestrus periods and standing times
What structure is fundamental to pharmacological manipulation of the bovine oestrus cycle?
Corpus Luteum
What are Retained Foetal Membranes (RFM) in cattle and sheep?
The non-expulsion of foetal membranes beyond 24hrs post-calving or 18hrs post-lambing (normal is within 3hrs in cattle and 6hrs in sheep)
Transition period
3wks pre- to 3wks post-calving
How long does it take for uterine involution?
3-6wks
What is Lochia and how long is it normal to see post-calving?
Red/brown - white discharge, lacking odour
Normal for approx. 23d
Diagnosis of RFM
History and clinical signs
Vaginal examination
(obvious)
Treatment of RFM
Manual removal after 5-7d
Systemic antibiotics - amoxicillin 3-5d
Benign neglect - normally expelled within 5-11d as long as cow is not systemically ill
What are the risks associated with manual removal of RFM?
Haemorrhage
Tearing
Parts being left in utero –> infection etc.
What are the impacts of RFM on production?
Decreased production
Reproductive disorders
- delayed uterine involution
- delayed return to cycling
- longer time to first service
- decreased pregnancy rates
Increased culling risk
Increased risk of secondary health issues
- metritis, endometritis, ketosis, DA, mastitis
Define clinical metritis
Not systemically ill
Abnormally enlarged uterus
Purulent uterine discharge
Within 21d post-partum
Define puerperal metritis
Systemic signs of illness - decreased milk yield, dullness, inappetence, signs of toxaemia
Fever >39 degrees
Abnormally enlarged uterus
Fetid, watery, red-brown discharge
Within 21d post-partum (normally <10d)
Risk factors associated with metritis in cattle
Abnormal stage 1 or 2 labour - severe dystocia, prolonged traction, damage to birth canal
Uterine inertia
Premature calving and abortion
Induced calving
Twins
RFM
Dairy > beef
Risk factors associated with metritis in sheep
Dead foetus
Assisted delivery of multiple lambs without proper hygiene
Uterine prolapse
Poor prognosis
Diagnosis of metritis
Clinical signs of illness and straining
Foetid uterine discharge detectable on clinical exam
Grade 1 Metritis (cattle)
Abnormally enlarged uterus
Purulent uterine discharge
Without systemic signs of ill-health (<21d post-partum)
Grade 2 Metritis (cattle)
Abnormally enlarged uterus
Purulent uterine discharge
With additional signs of systemic illness - decreased milk yield, dullness, fever, etc.
Grade 3 Metritis (cattle)
Abnormally enlarged uterus
Purulent uterine discharge
Signs of toxaemia - inappetence, cold extremities, depression, brick red mm, and/or collapse
Sometimes called Puerperal or toxic mastitis
Treatment of Metritis
Grade 1 - no treatment
Systemic antibiotics - intrauterine alone is insufficient, amoxicillin 3-5d
Supportive therapy - TLC, NSAIDs (ketofen - no withdrawal), fluid therapy, calcium borogluconate
Uterine lavage? - saline only, risk of peritonitis, toxaemia
Define clinical endometritis
Purulent uterine discharge (>50% pus) >21d post-partum
OR
Mucopurulent uterine discharge (50% pus, 50% mucous) >26d post-partum
‘whites’
Define subclinical endometritis
> 18% neutrophils in uterine cytology sample (collected 21-23d post-partum)
OR
10% neutrophils in uterine cytology sample (collected 34-47d post-partum)
No uterine discharge seen yet
Risk factors associated with Endometritis
Trauma
Hygiene - calving, pp housing, personnel
Metabolism - NEB
Herd size - larger = higher risk
Diagnosis of clinical endometritis
Transrectal palpation (doughy uterus) +/- ultrasonography
Vaginal examination
History
Metricheck - collection of fluid from vaginal floor
Diagnosis of subclinical endometrits
Cytology on cervical swabs or lumen flush
>18% neutrophils (collected 21-23d post-
partum)
OR
>10% neutrophils (collected 34-47d post-
partum)
Uterine swab - >5% polymorphic neutrophils abnormal ? (should be 0% >50d post-partum)
Uterine biopsy
History ?
Metricheck - collection of fluid from vaginal floor
Grade 0 Endometritis
Clear or translucent mucous
May be slightly discoloured due to lochia
Grade 1 Endometritis
Mucous contains flecks or white/off-white pus
Grade 2 Endometritis
Discharge contains about 50% white/off-white mucopurulent material
Grade 3 Endometritis
Discharge contains >50% purulent material, white or yellow, occasionally sanguineous
What are the most common pathogens in endometritis?
E.coli
T.pyogenes
F.necrophorum
Treatment of Endometritis
Often self-cure
Intrauterine infusion of antiseptics - limited value
Treat only if >3wks post-calving
PGF2a - only if active CL
Cefarin (metracure)
