What goes wrong with female reproduction system

Question 1

Dystocia is and can be caused by

Answer 1

Difficulty giving birth
Common in cattle and certain breeds of dogs
May be due to maternal or fetal causes
Maternal: uterine inertia, small birth canal
Fetal: malposition, oversized fetus
Assisted vaginal delivery may be attempted if safe to do so
Cesarean section if indicated

Question 2

Ovarian remnant syndrome is

Answer 2

A syndrome where females thought to be “spayed” show signs of estrus.
Animals may have vulvar swelling, vulvar discharge, attraction of males, mating postures. May be cyclical
Can be surgical error, or ectopic ovarian tissue.
May predispose to infection of the stump uterine body.
Need to find the ovarian remnant and remove it.
This can be challenging!

Question 3

Spaying is

Answer 3

Removal of the ovaries, oviducts and uterus, known as ovariohysterectomy
Renders animal sterile and stops estrus
One of the most common elective surgical procedures in carnivores
Pregnancy or estrus complicates the surgery by increasing blood supply.
Removal of the ovaries alone (ovariectomy or oophorectomy) is done in domestic animals
A newer method of spaying cats and dogs
This should not be done in pregnant animals
No increased risk of pyometra – as long as ALL of the ovary is removed!
Similar in pain and operation time to ovariohysterectomy

Question 4

Pyometra is

Answer 4

Common in older unspayed dogs
Also seen in cats
Uterus fills with pus
Due to combination of estrus (estrogens) relaxing the cervix (bacteria can enter), and prolonged luteal phase.
Progesterone thickens and relaxes uterus, and stimulates secretions.
Cervix is now closed (more or less) and secretions are a great culture medium.

Question 5

Pyometra types

Answer 5

Can be open or closed
Open: Cervix is open, allows purulent drainage from vulva
Closed: Cervix is closed, purulent material is retained in the uterus

Question 6

Treatment for pyometra

Answer 6

Spay the animal, may need to stabilize with IV fluids first.
Lyse the CL with PGF2a

Question 7

Estrus synchronization in cattle is

Answer 7

The objective of any successful synchronization program is to manipulate the estrous cycle of normally cycling females so that a large percentage will exhibit estrus with normal fertility at a pre-determined time.
Then, they can all be bred at the same time (either AI or natural).
Helps with determining parturition dates or when trying to flush embryos

Question 8

Estrus synchronization can involve

Answer 8

Prostaglandin injections (CL regress and return to estrus)
Estrogens (feedback to stop FSH production)
CIDR (Intravaginal progesterone devices to stop natural cycling)
GnRH (gonadotropin releasing hormone)