Dystocia

Question 1

Dystocia in Cows

Answer 1

Feto-maternal disproportion is common in beef cows
Heifers often have dystocia when bred early
Holsteins have high incidence
Fetal monsters not uncommon
Maternal dystocia not uncommon
* Incomplete cervix dilation
* Uterine inertia due to hypocalcaemia

Faulty disposition is less common

Question 2

Dystocia in mares

Answer 2

Fetal disposition is most common
Obstructive dystocia common in second stage parturition

Twins uncommon - loss occurs earlier
Feto-maternal disproportion uncommon

Question 3

Why is fetal disposition common in mares?

Answer 3

• Fetus has to extend limbs/head and rotate prior to parturition
  ○ Parturition occurs relatively quickly in mare so abnormal presentation/position/posture is common

Question 4

Why is feto-maternal disproportion uncommon in mares?

Answer 4

• Relatively inefficient placenta
  ○ Attaches to whole SA of uterus
  ○ Size of fetus is governed by SA of placenta
  ○ SA of placenta is governed by size of mare

Question 5

Dystocia in dogs

Answer 5

Usually result of primary urine inertia
Feto-maternal disproportion is common in brachycephalic breeds

Question 6

Dystocia in cats

Answer 6

Usually result of uterine inertia
Fetal monsters are common
Previous pelvic trauma is not uncommon

Question 7

Dystocia in sheep

Answer 7

• Dystocia incidence differences according to breed and litter size
  ○ Mountain and hardy breeds lower incidence
  ○ Meat breeds higher incidence
• Feto-maternal disproportion and faulty disposition are most common

Question 8

Dystocia in sows

Answer 8

• Dystocia is less common than other species at approximately 2% of parturitions
• Approximately 40% of cases are uterine inertia
• Simultaneous presentation is common

Question 9

Types of dystocia treatment

Answer 9

Conservative treatment (do nothing)
Manipulative treatment
Drug therapy
○ Ecbolic (oxytocin)
○ Calcium
○ Tocolytic (clenbuterol)
Surgical treatment
○ Epidural anaesthesia
○ Episiotomy
○ Fetotomy
○ Caesarean operation
Euthanasia

Question 10

When can manipulation be used in dystocia?

Answer 10

• The fetus can be delivered
• The fetus can be returned to normal disposition
• The fetus may, or may, not be alive
• The dam is not significantly debilitated

Question 11

What is mutation?

Answer 11

Correction of presentation, posture or position

Question 12

Repulsion

Answer 12

Pushing fetus back out of pelvis into abdomen to give more space

Question 13

Correction

Answer 13

Correction of abnormal orientation

Question 14

Rotation or version

Answer 14

Alteration of alignment of long axis or transverse axis of fetus

Question 15

When can fetotomy be used?

Answer 15

• The fetus can be delivered with a single (mare) or two fetotomy cuts
• There is sufficient room and no current damage to the female tract
• The fetus is dead or can be humanely killed
• The dam may be too debilitated to survive caesarean so fetotomy may be viable
• The dam can be adequately restrained or can be sedated
• Fetotomy in should always be considered ahead of caesarean in monotocous species

Question 16

When can caesarean be used?