Reproduction

Question 1

How does oestrus behaviour compare between high yielding cows and other cows?

Answer 1

High yielding cows exhibit shorter oestrus periods and standing times

Question 2

What structure is fundamental to pharmacological manipulation of the bovine oestrus cycle?

Answer 2

Corpus Luteum

Question 3

What are Retained Foetal Membranes (RFM) in cattle and sheep?

Answer 3

The non-expulsion of foetal membranes beyond 24hrs post-calving or 18hrs post-lambing (normal is within 3hrs in cattle and 6hrs in sheep)

Question 4

Transition period

Answer 4

3wks pre- to 3wks post-calving

Question 5

How long does it take for uterine involution?

Answer 5

3-6wks

Question 6

What is Lochia and how long is it normal to see post-calving?

Answer 6

Red/brown - white discharge, lacking odour
Normal for approx. 23d

Question 7

Diagnosis of RFM

Answer 7

History and clinical signs
Vaginal examination
(obvious)

Question 8

Treatment of RFM

Answer 8

Manual removal after 5-7d
Systemic antibiotics - amoxicillin 3-5d
Benign neglect - normally expelled within 5-11d as long as cow is not systemically ill

Question 9

What are the risks associated with manual removal of RFM?

Answer 9

Haemorrhage
Tearing
Parts being left in utero –> infection etc.

Question 10

What are the impacts of RFM on production?

Answer 10

Decreased production
Reproductive disorders
- delayed uterine involution
- delayed return to cycling
- longer time to first service
- decreased pregnancy rates
Increased culling risk
Increased risk of secondary health issues
- metritis, endometritis, ketosis, DA, mastitis

Question 11

Define clinical metritis

Answer 11

Not systemically ill
Abnormally enlarged uterus
Purulent uterine discharge
Within 21d post-partum

Question 12

Define puerperal metritis

Answer 12

Systemic signs of illness - decreased milk yield, dullness, inappetence, signs of toxaemia
Fever >39 degrees
Abnormally enlarged uterus
Fetid, watery, red-brown discharge
Within 21d post-partum (normally <10d)

Question 13

Risk factors associated with metritis in cattle

Answer 13

Abnormal stage 1 or 2 labour - severe dystocia, prolonged traction, damage to birth canal
Uterine inertia
Premature calving and abortion
Induced calving
Twins
RFM
Dairy > beef

Question 14

Risk factors associated with metritis in sheep

Answer 14

Dead foetus
Assisted delivery of multiple lambs without proper hygiene
Uterine prolapse
Poor prognosis

Question 15

Diagnosis of metritis

Answer 15

Clinical signs of illness and straining
Foetid uterine discharge detectable on clinical exam

Question 16

Grade 1 Metritis (cattle)

Answer 16

Abnormally enlarged uterus
Purulent uterine discharge
Without systemic signs of ill-health (<21d post-partum)

Question 17

Grade 2 Metritis (cattle)

Answer 17

Abnormally enlarged uterus
Purulent uterine discharge
With additional signs of systemic illness - decreased milk yield, dullness, fever, etc.

Question 18

Grade 3 Metritis (cattle)

Answer 18

Abnormally enlarged uterus
Purulent uterine discharge
Signs of toxaemia - inappetence, cold extremities, depression, brick red mm, and/or collapse

Sometimes called Puerperal or toxic mastitis

Question 19

Treatment of Metritis

Answer 19

Grade 1 - no treatment
Systemic antibiotics - intrauterine alone is insufficient, amoxicillin 3-5d
Supportive therapy - TLC, NSAIDs (ketofen - no withdrawal), fluid therapy, calcium borogluconate
Uterine lavage? - saline only, risk of peritonitis, toxaemia

Question 20

Define clinical endometritis

Answer 20

Purulent uterine discharge (>50% pus) >21d post-partum
OR
Mucopurulent uterine discharge (50% pus, 50% mucous) >26d post-partum

‘whites’

Question 21

Define subclinical endometritis

Answer 21

> 18% neutrophils in uterine cytology sample (collected 21-23d post-partum)
OR
10% neutrophils in uterine cytology sample (collected 34-47d post-partum)
No uterine discharge seen yet

Question 22

Risk factors associated with Endometritis

Answer 22

Trauma
Hygiene - calving, pp housing, personnel
Metabolism - NEB
Herd size - larger = higher risk

Question 23

Diagnosis of clinical endometritis

Answer 23

Transrectal palpation (doughy uterus) +/- ultrasonography
Vaginal examination
History
Metricheck - collection of fluid from vaginal floor

Question 24

Diagnosis of subclinical endometrits

Answer 24

Cytology on cervical swabs or lumen flush
>18% neutrophils (collected 21-23d post-
partum)
OR
>10% neutrophils (collected 34-47d post-
partum)
Uterine swab - >5% polymorphic neutrophils abnormal ? (should be 0% >50d post-partum)
Uterine biopsy
History ?
Metricheck - collection of fluid from vaginal floor

Question 25

Grade 0 Endometritis

Answer 25

Clear or translucent mucous
May be slightly discoloured due to lochia

Question 26

Grade 1 Endometritis

Answer 26

Mucous contains flecks or white/off-white pus

Question 27

Grade 2 Endometritis

Answer 27

Discharge contains about 50% white/off-white mucopurulent material

Question 28

Grade 3 Endometritis

Answer 28

Discharge contains >50% purulent material, white or yellow, occasionally sanguineous

Question 29

What are the most common pathogens in endometritis?

Answer 29

E.coli
T.pyogenes
F.necrophorum

Question 30

Treatment of Endometritis

Answer 30

Often self-cure
Intrauterine infusion of antiseptics - limited value
Treat only if >3wks post-calving
PGF2a - only if active CL
Cefarin (metracure)