Urogenital Exam Flashcards
What could result from poor vulvar conformation in the mare?
- pneumovagina (windsucking)
- Pooling of urine in the vagina
- Fecal contamination of the vagina
- Equine: cervix enters the vagina at a ventral position
so pooling of urine/feces could lead to inflammation within the uterus
Where should you check mucous membranes on a female cow?
the vulva
(should be pink not pale or bright red)
How does the prepuce differ between equine and bovine?
Equine - prepuce size differs between gelding and stallion
Bovine - differs between steer and bull AND breeds
How do you obtain urine from a bovine?
restrain using shoot and palpate/rub the prepuce
How do you obtain urine in the bovine female
Rub the escutcheon on the midline with moderate pressure
Non-invasive way to attain urine in equine (or goats)
put them in a clean stall and use a cup!
Normal urination posture in male bovine and equine
bovine: nothing doesn’t move
equine: stretches forward (CAN BE A SIGN OF COLIC or blockage if not producing urine)
Differences between bovine and equine urine
bovine urinate more and have clear urine
Equine urinate less and have cloudy urine
both are herbivores - alkaline pH
Mares in heat will….
Wink! urinate a little bit a lot
What is the kidney shape in bovine and why is it significant
lobated ( no renal pelvis)
-left kidney can be felt during rectal palpation (midline, hanging down due to rumen and fat)
- between 2-4 lumbar vertebrae
Kidney Shape in equine
right = heart
left = pyramid
both are flattened with a single renal pelvis
left kidney palpable by rectum (dorsally and slightly left)
last rib and 3rd lumbar transverse process
Location of bovine testicles
hangs vertically (epididymis tail=ventral) and pendulous (due to temp.)
thicker skin and lots of sweat glands (more than any other)
lots of thermosensitive nerves
Location of equine testicles
hangs horizontally ( epididymis tail = dorsocaudal)
less pendulous
thinner skin and lots of sweat glands and thermosensitive nerves
Bovine penis is…
fibroelastic (grows in length only)
sigmoid flexure and small glans
What species has a urethral process
ram/buck
Equine penis is…
musculocavernous (grows in length AND width)
large glans
What is the bean
smegma in the equine penis- needs to be cleaned in the urethral sinus
Bovine shape of uterus and cervix
Uterus – short body and 2 horns
• Cervix – smooth muscle with “stiff” interlocking folds
Equine shape of uterus and cervix
• Uterus – large body and 2 short horns
• Cervix – smooth muscle with mucosal folds
bovine female repro tract has a ______ _____ in the vaginal pelvis that causes a problem for catheters
sub-urethral diverticulum (equine do not)
Bovine Reproductive Tract within Pelvis structure (4)
•Cervix stiff – feels like a “turkey neck”
•Broad ligament longer
• Therefore the uterus and ovaries hang lower
within the pelvis
• Ovaries often found to lateral to the body
•Uterine horns longer
•Ovaries are small – almond shaped and grape to walnut size depending upon structures and timing of cycle
Equine repro tract within pelvis structure
•Cervix soft – can not palpate
•Broad ligament shorter
• Ovaries hang higher – more dorsal to the
horns
•Uterine horns shorter
•Ovaries are larger – bean shaped and can be plum to orange size depending upon structures and timing of cycle
4 reasons for rectal palpation
Determination of PREGNANCY
• #1 reason for cow and brood mares
•Investigating Abdominal Pain – Colic
• #1 reason for all horses
•Breeding Soundness Exam – Males and Females
•Exam of abdominal structures
• Kidneys • Uterus • Gastrointestinal • Lymph Nodes
Precautions for rectal palpation
RECTAL TEAR AND HEMORRHAGE
-Short nails, NO jewelry/watches
-Sleeves and LOTS of lube
-peristaltic waves
In what species, do you always recede your hand with the peristaltic wave
HORSES
cow you can allow it to pass over- never push
Reasons for vaginal palpation
•Assisting in difficult parturition – (Dystocia)
•Investigation/Treatment of Retained Placenta
•Evaluation of Cervix – Breeding Soundness Exam for mare
risks and precautions for vaginal palpation
Introduction of pathogens
•Clean Vulva and Perineum
•Sleeves and lube (often sterile in the equine)
How long is cow gestation
283 days (~9.5 months)
What are the 4 cardinal signs of pregnancy by palpation
- Membrane slip
- Amniotic vesicle
- Fetus
- Placentomes
What is the membrane slip? and when can you feel it?
Palpating the developing placental membranes within the uterus; “slips” between your fingers
• Reliably felt in pregnant horn at 35 days
What is the amniotic vesicle and when can you feel it
Conceptus and amniotic fluid within a turgid amniotic membrane sac
• Can be palpated as early at 32-35 days (by experienced palpators) - By 60-65 days becomes less turgid
- between 40-45 days associated with atresia coli (no anus)
can be popped or damaged
When can you feel the fetus after the amniotic vesicle becomes less turgid?
~65 days
What are placentomes and when can you feel them (and how many do you need to feel?)
Placentation in the bovine forms “buttons” (placentomes; cotyledon and caruncle) where the maternal and fetal membranes join together
• Can be palpated in uterine horns at day 80-90 (students reliably feel @ 90 days)
NEED 3 - can be confused as ovaries
are placentomes a reliable sense of time?
no - they vary in sizes
How is pregnancy diagnoses in horses? and at how many days
rectal ultrasounds at ~14 days
how long is horse gestation
335-350 (11-12 months)
when can the amniotic vesicle be palpated in the horse
~30 days
