Foetal Dystocia & Perinatal Mortality

Question 1

foetal dystocia is commonly caused by…

Answer 1

• foeto-maternal disproportion
• foetal maldisposition
• congenital abnormalities & teratogens
• foetal death

Question 2

foeto-maternal disproportion is most common in…

Answer 2

cattle

Question 3

foeto-maternal disproportion is rare in

Answer 3

horses & pigs

Question 4

foeto-maternal disproportion is caused by (calf relative to dam)

Answer 4

• increased mass
• inappropriate conformation
• pelvic canal being too small/incorrectly shaped

Question 5

calf birth weight depends on…

Answer 5

• breed
• parity of dam
• sex
• seasonal & climatic factors
• nutrition of dam
• length of gestation
• IVF/IVM embryos

Question 6

When parents are of different sizes in cattle and bred, what does that mean?

Answer 6

offspring weight is near the mean weight of both appropriate pure-bred calves

Question 7

if the dam is of a larger breed in cattle than the bull (2 different breeds mated) then that means

Answer 7

the dam exerts an influence towards her own weight

Question 8

Which cattle breeds are known to have muscular dystrophy?

Answer 8

Belgian blues, some Charolais

Question 9

What is the number 1 indication for C- section in cattle?

Answer 9

Recessive gene causing muscular hypertrophy

Question 10

birth weights of what sex are larger in cattle, irrespective of breed?

Answer 10

male calves

Question 11

Which sex of calves have longer gestations?

Answer 11

males

Question 12

increased birth weight is associated w/ and increase in

Answer 12

dystocias

Question 13

the mean spring weight of calves born after a warmer than normal winter are…

Answer 13

4.5 kg lighter

Question 14

in dairy breeds the calf size and conformation decline in…

Answer 14

autumn & early winter

Question 15

cold weather means there is a increase in

Answer 15

uterine blood flow thus providing an increase in nutrient supply to the foetus

Question 16

energy expenditure is always directed towards…

Answer 16

the offspring

Question 17

When is calf birth weight influenced the most based on the dam?

Answer 17

severe nutritional deficiency of the dam

Question 18

What happens during pregnancy if the dam is undernourished?

Answer 18

• placentome of ruminants changes to compensate for nutrition
• energy is sequestered to the growth of the foetus

Question 19

At what point in pregnancy will severe nutritional restrictions reduce calf birth weight?

Answer 19

the last 90 days of gestation

Question 20

restricted energy intake has greater influence than

Answer 20

protein (cattle)

Question 21

There is a reduction in birth weight due to a reduction in

Answer 21

foetal muscle mass

Question 22

severe reductions in foetal birth weight due to manipulating the maternal diet may

Answer 22

place neonate in jeopardy

Question 23

gestation length of cattle is associated w/

Answer 23

birth weight & breed

Question 24

male calves w/ longer gestation periods have a higher incidence of…

Answer 24

dystocia

Question 25

What abnormalities are associated with prolonged gestations & dystocias?

Answer 25

* developmental abnormalities * hypophyseal & adrenal-cortex hypoplasia

Question 26

birth weight of calves due to IVF/IVM may be ...

Answer 26

greater than those from AI/natural mating

Question 27

why is birth weight of calves done by IVF/IVM larger?

Answer 27

constituents of media in which the sperm is kept

Question 28

IVF/IVM leads to increased incidences of...

Answer 28

* hydrops allantois * congenital heart conditions * etc.

Question 29

most common type of bovine dystocia

Answer 29

Foeto-maternal disproportion in anterior presentation

Question 30

anterior presentations of foeto-maternal disproportion in cows & heifers may be due to

Answer 30

delays in intervention leading to emphysematous decomposition

Question 31

What are methods of assessing an oversized foetus?

Answer 31

* sire, gestation length * Hindson's Index * Trial traction

Question 32

What is the Hindson's index?

Answer 32

width of feet vs the pelvis diameter tells you how much progress you can get

Question 33

What is the general ratio that tells you delivery will be difficult according to Hindson's index

Answer 33

if the inter-ischial distance to digital diameter ratio is less than 2.25, then the delivery will be difficult

Question 34

What is the treatment for dystocia due to foeto-maternal disproportion?

Answer 34

* normal expulsive forces supplemented by traction * diameter of the vulval opening increased by episiotomy * Caesarean * Volume of foetus reduced by foetotomy (dead calf)

Question 35

In ewes, common cause of dystocia is due to

Answer 35

bulky body features from the ram

Question 36

how to remove a dystocia in a ewe that is alive?

Answer 36

traction on limbs or head (anterior presentation) w/ snares & lubricant

Question 37

how to remove a dystocia in a ewe that is dead?

Answer 37

foetotomy

Question 38

foeto-maternal disproportion in anterior presentation is relatively uncommon in...

Answer 38

mares