Lecture Notes on Veterinary

Obstetrics, VCT 601 (PPT)

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

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

Pregnancy diagnosis

1.
2.
3.
4.

Methods used grouped under the

following subheadings:
Management
Chemical or laboratory method
Clinical examination
Ultrasonography

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

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

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

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

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 T drops 24-48hrs b4 calving,
exudation of clear vaginal mucus,tail head might
appear raised with gluteal muscles sunken

LABOUR

Slide 4 of 56

Stage 1 of labour

Slide 5 of 56

Stage 2 of labour

Slide 7 of 56

Stage 3 of labour

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.

DYSTOCIA

Slide 9 of 56

Causes of Dystocia
For convenience, causes are divided into 2:
1.
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

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!

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.

Causes & Mgt. of dystocia in

sheep and goat contd

1.
2.
3.
4.

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

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


1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.

Infectious causes of abortion, therefore, include the

following:
Chlamydiosis
Toxoplasmosis
Q-fever
Listeriosis
Leptospirosis
Mycoplasmosis
Campylobacteriosis
Brucellosis
Salmonellosis
Yersiniosis
Trypanosomosis
Sarcocystosis
anaplasmosis

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

1.
2.

1.
2.

2 classes basically, viz;

Complete/ Total
Incomplete / Partial
2 techniques available
Percutaneous foetotomy
Subcutaneous foetotomy

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.

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

Indications for partial

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


1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

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

Thanks for your attention