Prolapses

Question 1

You are called about a cow/heifer with a prolapse of unknown origin coming out the back end, what are your prolapse location options?

Answer 1

(Rectal, vaginal, uterine → uterine is an emergency)

Question 2

When you receive a call about a potential prolapse in a cow/heifer, what is a primary question you should ask?

Answer 2

(Is she pregnant or has she calved recently?)

Question 3

You have established that a cow/heifer has a prolapse coming from her vagina and she has recently calved, what do you need to know next?

Answer 3

(If it is long (uterus) or short (vagina) and smooth (vagina) or bumpy (uterus))

Question 4

What are risk factors for rectal prolapses? 8 answers :).

Answer 4

(Straining d/t tenesmus or dysuria, neuropathy (tail docking, alcohol epidural, spinal lymphoma), chronic coughing, genetics, neoplasia, diet (estrogenic feedstuff), obesity, and hormone treatments)

Question 5

(T/F) Rectal prolapses are an emergency.

Answer 5

(F, urgent rather than an emergency, see it the next day if call overnight)

Question 6

How can you gauge the prognosis of a rectal prolapse?

Answer 6

(By grading it (read grades in powerpoint), grade I and II good prognosis with prompt treatment, grade III and IV associated with risk for severe vascular injury to descending colon, requires surgical resection, poor prognosis)

Question 7

What can be performed if you are attempting to fix a rectal prolapse but the animal is continuing to strain?

Answer 7

(An epidural, caudal in cattle and lumbosacral in other species)

Question 8

What does it mean that an alcohol epidural is a salvage procedure?

Answer 8

(You are just trying to get them to slaughter at this point)

Question 9

What does injecting lidocaine or oxytet around the rectum cause to aid in preventing rectal prolapses?

Answer 9

(Adhesions)

Question 10

What are the complications associated with amputating a rectal prolapse if replacement is not an option?

Answer 10

(Strictures, peritonitis, and abscesses)

Question 11

One of the risk factors for vaginal prolapses is advanced stage pregnancy d/t increased abdominal pressure, this is especially true for what species in what time of gestation?

Answer 11

(Multiparous ewes in the last 3 weeks of gestation)

Question 12

Why should you increase concentrate consumption and reduce hay consumption in late gestation ewes with vaginal prolapses?

Answer 12

(That will decrease abdominal filling and hopefully decrease abdominal pressure)

Question 13

A caslick’s procedure is best performed in what animals for treatment of Grade I vaginal prolapses?

Answer 13

(Non-pregnant animals that experience Grade I eversion during estrus → embryo donors)

Question 14

Of your short-term retention techniques for vaginal prolapse, which is better for advanced grade and chronic prolapses?

Answer 14

(Buhner stitch, must untie at parturition)

Question 15

Uterine prolapses are associated with which stage of labor?

Answer 15

(3rd stage, placental expulsion)

Question 16

What are the risk factors for uterine prolapse? 5 answers.

Answer 16

(Multiparous animals, exposure to estrogenic substances, extreme weather changes and pasture composition changing mineral availability, uterine inertia/hypocalcemia/recumbency, and dystocia/retained fetal membranes/uterine tears)

Question 17

Why are uterine prolapses an emergency? Be specific.

Answer 17

(Risk of middle uterine artery rupture)

Question 18

(T/F) Uterine prolapses are not associated with a genetic risk.

Answer 18

(T)

Question 19

What should you tell a producer to do if you suspect they are calling about a uterine prolapse?

Answer 19

(Do not transport that animal, restrain her, and place a bag over the uterus)

Question 20

Why might you not reach for sugar in the case of a uterine prolapse?

Answer 20

(It can be irritating and could potentially affect her future fertility, can try glycerol or chlorhexidine ointment with a pressure bandage instead)

Question 21

You should begin a uterine prolapse reduction with the non-gravid/gravid (choose) horn.

Answer 21

(Non-gravid)

Question 22

Why should you ensure that the uterine horns are fully inverted when reducing a uterine prolapse?

Answer 22

(The animal will want to keep straining if they are not)

Question 23

What is the disadvantage to a closed approach uterine amputation in response to a uterine prolapse that has severe ischemic necrosis and/or lacerations?

Answer 23

(Other viscera, such as the bladder, could be unintentionally trapped and amputated with the uterus which is fatal)