Large Animal Obstetrics

Question 1

what is stage I of labor?

Answer 1

presentation of fetus to cervix

Question 2

what is stage II of labor?

Answer 2

delivery of fetus/fetuses

Question 3

what is stage III of labor?

Answer 3

delivery of placental membranes

Question 4

increasing ______________________ lead to uterine contractions which push the fetus towards the cervix

Answer 4

estrogen and prostaglandin

Question 5

what initiates stage I of labor?

Answer 5

fetus applies pressure to cervix
leads to release of oxytocin from hypothalamus

Question 6

what is the ferguson reflex?

Answer 6

self sustaining cycle of uterine contractions initiated by pressure on cervix: oxytocin release from posterior pituitary, which leads to uterine contractions, which further increases pressure on cervix, which stimulates more oxytocin release

Question 7

the fetus must ____________ the cervix for the cervix to dilate

Answer 7

engage

Question 8

what is the normal presentation for parturition?

Answer 8

animal faces caudally, thoracic limbs are extended with head resting on limbs
also: posterior position with pelvic limbs extended can work

Question 9

how long does stage I of labor last in the cow?

Answer 9

2-12 hours

Question 10

how long does stage I of labor last in the mare?

Answer 10

1-4 hours

Question 11

what is dystocia?

Answer 11

1st or 2nd stage of labor is prolonged and assistance is required for delivery
difficult birth

Question 12

what are the main categories of causes of dystocia?

Answer 12

uterine inertia
fetal malposition
fetopelvic disproportion
twinning (species dependent)

Question 13

what is primary uterine inertia?

Answer 13

lack of normal uterine contractions
fail to progress to stage II
break down of normal hormonal cascade for myometrial contraction

Question 14

what is secondary uterine inertia?

Answer 14

exhaustion of uterine muscle
loss of contractions during stage II of labor

Question 15

how can you treat uterine inertia?

Answer 15

manual extraction
oxytocin- only if cervix dilated
calcium

Question 16

what are bandl’s rings?

Answer 16

strong sustained tetanic contractions caused by exhaustion spasms of uterine muscle
uterine contracts in tight ring around fetus or cranial to cervix

Question 17

who can prepubic tendon rupture occur in?

Answer 17

more common draft mare
rarely cow or ewe

Question 18

how can fetus presentation be described?

Answer 18

cranial/anterior or caudal/posterior longitudinal
ventral or dorsal transverse

Question 19

what is the fetus’ position?

Answer 19

relationship of dorsum of fetus to dam’s pelvis

Question 20

what is the posture of the fetus?

Answer 20

relationship of extremities to fetal body

Question 21

what are the options for position of the fetus (not all normal)?

Answer 21

dorso-sacral: normal
dorso-pubic
dorso-ilial (left)
dorso-ilial (right)

Question 22

if a calf is emphysematous and dead when it is delivered, how long ago did it die?

Answer 22

48+ hours

Question 23

what are the options for correcting malposition?

Answer 23

repulsion
rotation
version
adjustment
controlled vaginal delivery

Question 24

what does it mean to correct malposition through version?

Answer 24

turn from transverse to longitudinal

Question 25

what can you give to aid in uterine relaxation?

Answer 25

epinephrine clenbuterol: equine

Question 26

what should you do if the fetus is in a dog-sitting posture?

Answer 26

repel anterior half of fetus and extract by hindlimbs if extract by front end, risk ventral uterine rupture

Question 27

what are the options for fetopelvic disproportion?

Answer 27

forced extraction cesarean sectiomn fetotomy

Question 28

how can you extract to keep the fetal arc?

Answer 28

once chest is delivered, direct pull downs towards udder do not continue to pull straight out

Question 29

where should you incise if you are performing an episiotomy?

Answer 29

11:00 or 1:00

Question 30

what does meconium staining indicate?

Answer 30

intrauterine hypoxia

Question 31

what might a partial fetotomy be helpful for?

Answer 31

deviated head retained hind limb breech hip lock

Question 32

when do PGF2alpha and oxytocin become activated during labor?

Answer 32

stage I: presentation of fetus to cervix

Question 33

does delivery of placental membranes require contractions?

Answer 33

yes

Question 34

what leads to rupture of the fetal membranes?

Answer 34

fetal head and feet apply pressure to fetal membranes

Question 35

in which animals does the fetus need to alter its position so that the head and feet are positioned to the posterior of the dam?

Answer 35

mare cow ewe

Question 36

if a fetus is positioned in a posterior position with thee pelvic limbs extended, can it often be delivered?

Answer 36

yes

Question 37

how long does stage I of labor las in the doe and ewe?

Answer 37

doe: 1-10 hours ewe: 2-6 hours

Question 38

how long does stage II of labor last in the ewe and doe?

Answer 38

ewe: 30min-2hr doe: 1-3hr

Question 39

how long does stage II of labor in the cow last?

Answer 39

2-4+ hours

Question 40

in horses, every 10 minute increase over 30 minutes in stage II of labor equals a _______ increase in foal mortality

Answer 40

10% 16% increase in death before discharge

Question 41

how long does stage II of labor last in camelids?

Answer 41

30min-1.5hours

Question 42

what are the miscellaneous causes of dystocia (not main)?

Answer 42

abnormal pelvic inlet vulval or cervical stenosis uterine torsion fetal congenital abnormalities fetal death

Question 43

who is primary uterine inertia common in?

Answer 43

bitch sometimes old dairy cows and sows

Question 44

what are the risk factors for primary uterine inertia?

Answer 44

lack of exercise obesity overstretching of uterus: hydrops, large litters debilitating disease, cachexia hypocalcemia

Question 45

what is at increased risk with uterine inertia?

Answer 45

retained placenta metritis

Question 46

why is a prepubic tendon rupture a problem?

Answer 46

dam cannot abdominal press prognosis poor

Question 47

how many major joints are distal to the elbow and hock?

Answer 47

elbow: two, bend in same direction hock: one, bends in opposite direction to hock

Question 48

which peripheral reflexes can you test to see if the calf is alive or dead?

Answer 48

pedal ocular anal

Question 49

what is hyperreflexia a sign of?

Answer 49

hypoxia

Question 50

what indicates a fetus has been dead for 6-12 hours?

Answer 50

corneas are cloudy

Question 51

if hair slips easily on a dead fetus, how long has it been dead?

Answer 51

24 hours also corneas cloudy

Question 52

what is rotation vs version?

Answer 52

rotation: turn fetus on long axis version: turn from transverse to longitudinal

Question 53

in which animal should you anesthetize and elevate the hind legs to make space for a controlled vaginal delivery?

Answer 53

only equines

Question 54

what can you use for an epidural?

Answer 54

lidocaine 1ml/200lb

Question 55

what is clenbuterol recommended for?

Answer 55

equine tocolytic to achieve more space for manipulations beta2 adrenergic agonist

Question 56

which lubricant can you use if a C-section is likely?

Answer 56

carboxymethylcellulose: ok if enters abdomen no J-lube: severe inflammatory response in abdomen

Question 57

what is a worry if a fetus is in breech?

Answer 57

pressure on umbilicus if horse: almost always C section

Question 58

what would indicate there might not be enough space/fetopelvic disproportion to deliver by traction?

Answer 58

head not through cervix before traction applied feet crossed over one another and pointing out: pressure being applied to shoulders if both: guarded for delivery by traction

Question 59

where should you place chains for forced extraction in a bovine?

Answer 59

around pastern and right above fetlock, traction to dorsal aspect limb

Question 60

what are the six classic cuts for fetotomy?

Answer 60

remove head remove arms by cutting between scapulas and thorax cut through rib cage to remove thorax cut right before pelvis cut through pelvis longitudinally make sure dead before fetotomy: occlude cord with hand

Question 61

what might a partial fetotomy be useful for?

Answer 61

deviated head breech retained hindlimb hip lock

Question 62

what is a long difficult delivery associated with?

Answer 62

decreased mothering can affect colostrum intake