Pregnancy diagnosis
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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
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
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)
Table 1: Calf foetal size at various stages of pregnancy in relation to the size of some commonly known adult animals.
Calf foetal size in relation to the size of commonly known adult animals
Stage of pregnancy
2 months
Mouse
3 months
Rat
4 months
Small cat
5 months
Large cat
6 months
Beagle dog
position/diameter and
structures during
pregnancy
Stages of Pregnancy
(days of gestation)
Uterine position
Uterine diameter
Palpable structures
35-40
Pelvic floor
Slightly enlarged
45-50
Pelvic floor
5.0-6.5cm
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
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 tuberclein male, migration is towards the umbilicus whereas in
the female, it is towards the tail
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
DYSTOCIA
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Causes of Dystocia
For convenience, causes are divided into 2:
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Maternalprimary 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.
2. Foetal
i. Abnormal foetal presentation,
position and posture
ii. Foetal monstrosities- Schistosoma
reflexus, perosomus elumbus e.t.c.
iii. Foetal oversize most common
cause in cattle due to foetopelvic
disproportion
Obstetrical Procedures
Divided into 4 main groups viz.
1. Mutation- includes repulsion, rotation,
eversion, extension or adjustment of the
extremities. Useful to return a foetus to
normal P. P& P.
2. Forced traction
3. Embryotomy
4. Caesarian section
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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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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
POST-PARTUM
DISEASES
Uterine prolapse
Vaginal prolapse
Acute septic metritis (puerperal
metritis)
Mastitis
Retained placenta
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.
Classification of
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 nondecomposed foetuses
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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