CT: Parturition and Postpartum

Question 1

Pregnancy length for camelids

Answer 1

Llama (350 dys)
Alpaca (340 dys)
Camel (357 dys)

Question 2

High risk for neonate

Answer 2

Under 325 days or over 370 dys

Question 3

Eutocia stage 1 (until cervical dilation)

Answer 3

2-3 hrs, occurs during the day (late morning, early afternoon)
Isolation from the herd, ↑ defecation and urination, abdominal discomfort, ↑ vocalization

Question 4

Eutocia Stage 2 (Fetal expulsion)

Answer 4

5-90 minutes (fast)
Rupture of the chorioallantois often missed

Question 5

Eutocia stage 3

Answer 5

placental expulsion: 30-180 minutes

Question 6

Postpartum evaultion

Answer 6

Dam: norm behavior, physical, mammary glands and vaginoscopy
Neonate: neonatal care, disinfection, colostrum
Placenta: completeness, weight (9-11% weight of neonate) and lesions

Question 7

Healthy term neonate

Answer 7

Eruption of 2 pairs of central incisors
Eyes open
Sternal within 30 min, standing @ 40 min
Nurse within 60 minutes

Question 8

Neonate TPR

Answer 8

100-102.5 F
60-100 bpm
Meconium by 12 hrs
Urination by 8 hrs

Question 9

When should a camelid nurse

Answer 9

2-3x per hour for the first 10 days

Question 10

Uterine involution

Answer 10

Rapid, normal (158 g) 10 days postpartum

Question 11

Resumption of ovarian activity

Answer 11

Alpacas and llamas: conception rate 2-3 weeks after parturition
Camels: lactaitonal anestrus 6-12 months

Question 12

1 cause of dystocia in camelids

Answer 12

Fetal maldispositions (85%)→ head and neck deviation, carpal/ shoulder flexion and bilateral hip flexion (breech)

Question 13

Other causes of dystocia

Answer 13

Feto-maternal disproportion
Fetal abnormalities
Uterine torsion
Hypocalcemia

Question 14

Restraint anesthesia

Answer 14

Lidocaine and xylazine

Question 15

Cesarean section

Answer 15

Physical/ chemical
Xylazine then butorphanol
Epidural →sternal → lateral

Question 16

Uterine closure

Answer 16

Remove if possible
Peel off around the uterine incision before suture
Admin oxytocin
Inverting suture
Lavage with K-penicillin, Na-ampicillin and heparin

Question 17

Post sx management

Answer 17

Stimulate appetite with Vit B complex and transfaunation
Antimicrobials: penicillin G, Gentamicin and cefiofur
Anti-inflamms: FLuxin meglumine

Question 18

Dystocia (Fetotomy)

Answer 18

Only if you have experience
Not good for alpacas due to high risk for trauma to vagina and cervix

Question 19

Life threatening postpartum disorders

Answer 19

Uterine hemorrhage or rupture
Peritonitis
Septic metritis

Question 20

Postpartum disorders (loss of fertility)

Answer 20

Retained placenta/ endometritis
Cervical tears
Vaginal adhesions

Question 21

Postpartum hemorrhage

Answer 21

Hypertonic saline
Pack vagina and uterus
Blood transfusion if PCV <12%
Aminocaproic acid, prednisolon sodium, butorphanol

Question 22

What prevents adhesions

Answer 22

Petercillin: lanolin, castor oil, tetracycline

Question 23

Retained placenta

Answer 23

Intervene when toxic metritis present
Check for uterine tear, hypocalcemia or uterine spasm
Oxytocin and uterine lavage to tx