Lecture Notes on Veterinary Obstetrics, VCT 601 (PPT)

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Lecture Notes on Veterinary Obstetrics, VCT 601
(PPT)

• BY
• S.Tona Olurode,DVM,MVSc.(Theriogenology)
• COLVET, UNAAB

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BOVINE PREGNANCY AND ITS DIAGNOSIS

• Indication for Bovine Px Dx
• to detect those non-pregnant so that
  appropriate measure(s) can be taken.
• NB
• Age at 1st calving is approx 24mos for dairy cows
  and subsequently at 13-13.5mos intervals
• After 60days post insem foetal death rates are
  low

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Pregnancy diagnosis

• Methods used grouped under the following
  subheadings
• Management
• Chemical or laboratory method
• Clinical examination
• Ultrasonography

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Managemental methods of px dx

• Non-return to oestrus and CL persistence
• History of exposure of cow to a bull or A.I.
• Mammary gld devpt (useful only in primigravida)
• Abdominal ballottment possible at 7mos of
  gestation in small breeds such as jersey

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Chemical or Laboratory methods

• EPF/ECF demonstration in serum or milk via
  commercial test kits using the dip stick
  principle early in 3days or later in 7-8 days
• Progesterone assay in plasma milk using RIA or
  ELISA. Blood sample collected 21days post
  previous oestrus.
• Assay of px-specific protein B via RIA good tool
  for twins identification
• Oestrone SO4 in milk

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Clinical methods

• Transrectal palpation, can be done as early as
  30days in heifers and 35days in cows.
• (disadvantages much practice is reqd)
• -uterine assymmetry
• -membrane/foetal slip
• (see table 1 for the rule of thumb)

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Table 1 Calf foetal size at various stages of
pregnancy in relation to the size of some
commonly known adult animals.
Stage of pregnancy Calf foetal size in relation to the size of commonly known adult animals
2 months Mouse
3 months Rat
4 months Small cat
5 months Large cat
6 months Beagle dog
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Table 2 Uterine position/diameter and structures
during pregnancy
Stages of Pregnancy (days of gestation) Uterine position Uterine diameter Palpable structures
35-40 Pelvic floor Slightly enlarged Uterine asymmetry/foetal slip
45-50 Pelvic floor 5.0-6.5cm Uterine asymmetry/foetal slip
60 Pelvis/abdomen 6.5-7.0cm Membrane slip
90 Abdomen 8.0-10.0cm Small placentomes/foetus (10-15cm long)
120 Abdomen 12cm Placentomes/foetus (25-30cm long)/fremitus
150 Abdomen 18cm Placentomes/foetus (35-40cm long)/fremitus

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Clinical methods contd

• Vaginal examination using either of the following
  ways
• visually with the aid of vaginoscope
• manually through pressing the finger directly on
  the external os of the cervix to detect the
  presence of an adhesive tenacious secretion

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Ultrasonography

• Requires ultrasonic foetal pulse detector that
  employs the Doppler principle. 2 types are
  available
• ultrasonic depth analysers (A-mode) with disadv
  of questionable degree of accuracy as early as
  40days
• Realtime B-mode method of choice for early px dx
  in the cow via transrectal imaging
• For early pxs 7.5MHz linear transducer is reqd
  while late pxs prefers 3.5MHz transducers
• Useful in foetal age estimation (assmt of trunk
  diameter) up to 140days,CRL not easy to assess
  sex determination via migration of genital
  tubercle-
• in male, migration is towards the umbilicus
  whereas in the female, it is towards the tail

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Normal Birth in the cow (Eutocia)

• Normal birth process calving
• GL averages 290 days, sequel to series of events
  emanating from the initiation of parturition
• Preparatory changes are those associated with
  the udder, vulva and pelvic ligaments,
• body Tº drops 24-48hrs b4 calving,
• exudation of clear vaginal mucus,tail head
  might appear raised with gluteal muscles sunken

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LABOUR
                                                                                                                                                                                    
                                                     
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Stage 1 of labour
                                                                                                                                                                                    
                                                     
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Stage 2 of labour
                                                                                                                                                                                    
                                                     
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Stage 3 of labour
                                                                                                                                                                  
                                                     
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Events of the 3 stages of labour

• 1st stage cervical dilatation or dilation, the
  duration is about 3-8 hours in cows but longer in
  heifers, 24hrs. The cardinal sign is restlessness
  
• 2nd stage foetal delivery, the duration
  averages 2-4 hours in pluriparous cows but longer
  in heifers, involves straining by the dam
• 3rd stage - placental expulsion, time reqd
  averages 8 hrs but can last 12hrs sometimes which
  is still considered normal.

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DYSTOCIA
                                                                                                                                                                                    
     
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Causes of Dystocia

• For convenience, causes are divided into 2
• Maternal-
• primary uterine inertia- ocassioned by
  multiple or abnormal foetuses which overstretch
  the uterus, a defect in the myometrium that
  renders contraction impossible, hormonal defect
  and periparturient hypocalcaemia. Dam may exhibit
  few weak abdominal contractions that fail to
  progress to 2nd stage. On exam.,cervix is found
  dilated with no foetus in the birth canal.
  Treatment via gentle traction and correction of
  position and postural defects.
• secondary uterine inertia consequent
  upon myometrial exhaustion. Possible sequelae
  include retained placenta, delayed uterine
  involution and uterine prolapse. Treatment is by
  removal of the impediment.
• abnormalities of the birth
  canal-inadequate pelvis, pelvic exostoses,
  incomplete cervical dilatation, vaginal
  cystocoele, neoplasms of the vulva and vagina,
  remnants of mullerian ducts persisting, uterine
  torsion, stenosis of the vulva and vagina
  (heritable in some breeds or due to immaturity.

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• 2. Foetal
• Abnormal foetal presentation, position and
  posture
• Foetal monstrosities- Schistosoma reflexus,
  perosomus elumbus e.t.c.
• Foetal oversize most common cause in cattle due
  to foetopelvic disproportion

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Obstetrical Procedures

• Divided into 4 main groups viz.
• Mutation- includes repulsion, rotation, eversion,
  extension or adjustment of the extremities.
  Useful to return a foetus to normal P. P P.
• Forced traction
• Embryotomy
• Caesarian section

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Lambing Kidding

• GL 140-150 days on the av.140 days for sheep
• Prior to EDD, ewe shd be put on observation every
  4-6 hours to check for certain conditions like
  pregnancy toxaemia, hypocalcaemia, vaginal
  prolapse, abortion, mastitis rupture of the
  prepubic tendon. Stages of parturition consult
  the note!

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Causes Mgt. of dystocia in sheep and goat

• Goat parturition normally uneventful. If labour
  extends beyond 30 mins, consider dystocia.
• Most common forms arise when more than one kids
  attempt to exit the birth canal at the same time.
  Other causes are deviation from normal PPP,
  foetomaternal disproportion, failure of cervical
  dilatation (ring womb), vaginal prolapse, uterine
  torsion and uterine inertia.

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Causes Mgt. of dystocia in sheep and goat contd

• Mgt dx based on failure of active labour to be
  initiated and history.
• NB if no delivery accomplished within 2-3 hrs,
  the cervix will start to close.
• Protocols of mgt requires
• Strict adherence to general principles of
  cleanliness, lubrication and gentleness
• Use of appropriate restraint techniques
• epidural anaesthesia
• Relief of dystocia

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Infectious causes of abortion

• Goats tend to have high incidence of abortion
  when compared to other livestock species.
• Infectious causes of abortion is highly
  significant. However, all or none principle is
  assumed during an abortion outbreak i.e. all
  causes of abortion are infectious in nature

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• Infectious causes of abortion, therefore, include
  the following
• Chlamydiosis
• Toxoplasmosis
• Q-fever
• Listeriosis
• Leptospirosis
• Mycoplasmosis
• Campylobacteriosis
• Brucellosis
• Salmonellosis
• Yersiniosis
• Trypanosomosis
• Sarcocystosis
• anaplasmosis

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Non-Infectious causes of abortion

• Early embryonic death- due to several physiologic
  or environmental factors sequel to predisposing
  factors e.g. stress, nutrition etc.
• Genetic disorders- habitual abortion may be
  heritable or cross resulting in abnormal
  chromosomes
• Nutritional factors- deficient E protein in the
  diet most esp in the late gestation
• Toxic plants and pharmaceuticals

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POST-PARTUM DISEASES

• Uterine prolapse
• Vaginal prolapse
• Acute septic metritis (puerperal metritis)
• Mastitis
• Retained placenta

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Foetotomy (Embryotomy)

• Term used to describe method of dividing the
  foetus into smaller pieces to ensure easy passage
  thro the birth canal.
• Commonly employed in cattle, occasional in
  horses, rarely in sheep goat and almost never
  in pigs and small animals. The technique is a
  method of choice esp when foetus is ascertained
  to be dead in utero.

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Classification of Foetotomy

• 2 classes basically, viz
• Complete/ Total
• Incomplete / Partial
• 2 techniques available
• Percutaneous foetotomy
• Subcutaneous foetotomy

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Percutaneous foetotomy

• Requires a tubular embryotome which confers
  protection on the maternal tissues against damage
  while sawing through the dead foetus
• Preferred method for non-decomposed foetuses

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Subcutaneous foetotomy

• Involves dissecting out foetal parts from within
  its skin to cause reduction in foetal bulk and
  allowing the delivery of the remainder mass par
  vaginum.

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Indications for complete foetotomy

• Relief of dystocia caused by foetal
  maldisposition
• Relief of dystocia caused by foetopelvic
  disproportion (foetal oversize, foetal monsters)
• Relief of dystocia caused by engaged foetus
  within the birth canal e.g. stifle lock (hip
  lock)
• During CS when large or deformed or maldisposed
  foetus is encountered

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Indications for partial foetotomy

• Deviation of the head
• Shoulder flexion
• Breech presentation (bilateral hip flexion)
• Posterior presentation (hock flexion)
• Foetal monsters

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• Care of the dam following foetotomy include
• Manual exam of vagina and uterus
• Administration of local and parenteral
  antibiotics
• Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory therapy
• Careful removal of the placenta from the
  caruncles
• Careful nursing

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• Thanks for your attention