Term 5 Week 3 RPM

A 5-year-old Holstein dairy cow at day 272 of gestation has developed severe, treatment-refractory laminitis. The owner wants to induce parturition to reduce maternal stress while maximizing the likelihood of delivering a viable calf. What is the most appropriate method to induce parturition in this cow? 

Dexamethasone 

A 4-year-old mixed-breed queen is brought to the clinic at approximately day 35 of an unwanted pregnancy following an unobserved mating. Physical examination reveals the queen is healthy with no abnormalities detected. The owner requests pregnancy termination while maintaining future breeding potential. What is the safest method for pregnancy termination in this case? 

Aglepristone is a progesterone-receptor antagonist that can terminate pregnancy while preserving the queen's reproductive potential. It is an appropriate option for a healthy queen in mid-gestation when future breeding is desired. 

What are causes to penile trauma in stallions

Lacerations during breeding

Kick from a mare

Penetrating object from bedding

Stallion ring

What is the purpose of a stallion ring? What can it cause? What should you use instead?

A ring around the penis that is though to prevent a stallion from ejaculating though it doesn’t actually work and instead causes necrosis and trauma to the penis

Instead a GnRH implant should be used to control reproduction in stallions

How do you treat penile trauma in stallions

Stall rest

Elevate and replace the penis in the sheath (if possible) and put retention stitches (ie purse string) or sling belly wrap to support the penis but make sure the horse can still pee

Lubricate

Cold water hydrotherapy 2-4 times a day

NSAIDs, steroids, antibiotics

Sexual rest until wound heals

What can be some chronic effects from penile trauma

Fibrosis may occur cause stenosis of the prepucial opening which phimosis or paraphimosis

Inability to retract the penis back into the prepuce

Paraphimosis

Inability to protrude penis from the preputial orifice or preputial ring

Phimosis

What is priapism

Persistent erection without sexual stimulation (from phenothiazine usually like ACE) and it can lead to paraphimosis and penile paralysis

What is summer sore and what causes it

Caused by the migration of habronema larvae (flies spread the nematodes on to horses)

What is a differential for summer sores looking lesions on stallions penis and how would you dx

SCC

Biopsy

How do you treat habronemiasis

Fly prevention

Sexual rest

Systemic and topical anthelmintics (ivermectin)

When is testicular descent in horses

Between 30 days before birth to 10 days after birth

What is the incidence of cryptorchidism in foals and is it usually uni or bilateral? Should you breed them?

5-8%

Unilateral

No it is hereditable!

How can you diagnose cryptorchidism in horses

Hx, CS, visual

Palpation of scrotum and inguinal region

US

Transrectal: find internal inguinal ring and feel for spermatic cord running through

Hormone assays (testosterone, hCG stim, estrogen sulfate, AMH)

What are horomone assays you can preform to dx cryptorchidism in horses? Which are better?

Testosterone (not reliable because of pulsatile secretion…if its low doesn’t always mean the horse is castrated)

hCG stim test (more reliable)- cryptorchids will have marked T increase in response to hCG

Estrogen sulphate levels

AMH (nice because only one sample needed to take)

What cells produce AMH in males and females

Sertoli cells in the male

Granulosa cells in the female

Why would you expect a higher AMH conc in a bilateral cryptorchid vs a unilateral

When the testes are inside they are “immature” and produce a lot more AMH

What are causes to a swollen scrotum in stallions

Inguinal hernia

Hydrocele (in the vaginal cavity between the visceral and parietal vaginal tunic

Torsion of spermatic cord

Orchitis

Trauma

What can cause scrotal herniation in stallions

Congenital (inguinal ring too big)

Acquired (accident…trauma)

What are CS of scrotal herniation in stallions

Colic

Swollen scrotum

Pain on palpation of scrotum

May be able to reduce herniated intestines

How do you dx scrotal herniation in stallions

US (will see intestinal loops…hotdogs and hamburgers)

What can you see on US with torsion of the spermatic cord

Hyperechoic opacity in the testicle and dilation of the pampiniform plexus

What are clinical signs of spermatic cord torsion

180 sometimes asymptomatic and improper orientation of the testes

360 colic, swollen and painful scrotum

How do you treat spermatic cord torsion in stallions

If stallion valuable and wanted to use to breed then hemi-orchidectomy to protect spermatogenesis in the contralateral testes

Orchitis and epididymitis are more commonly seen in which species

Small ruminants

What is important about treatment in scrotal trauma

Requires quick and aggressive treatment to prevent permanent damage to fertility due to compromised thermoregulation

How can you dx scrotal trauma in stallions

CS- pain, swelling, heat

US

Centesis (but wouldn’t recommend because of risk of contamination)

What is the tx for scrotal trauma

Hemiorchidectomy stat to preserve other testis (if wanted to be bred)

NSAID, antibiotics, hydrotherapy

What are some chronic changes that can occur in scrotal trauma

Exposure of body to spermatozoa results in anti-sperm antibody formation

Spermatic granuloma

Testicular degeneration/atrophy

Sub/infertility

What type of fluid would you see with a hydrocele

Serous

What is the treatment of choice for a unilateral hydrocele in a valuable breeding stallion?

Removal of the affected testis

What is testicular degeneration and what can cause it

Testes become softer and smaller than normal (usually unilateral)

Usually due to insult to testes (ex. hydrocele due to neoplasia/trauma, following orchitis or trauma to testes)

What is azoospermia

Complete absence of spermatozoa in the ejaculate

Why do stallions get a plugged ampulla

They are seasonal breeders and may go time without ejaculating and thus a block can form

This is usually present at the beginning of the breeding season

What can cause azoospermia in stallions

Incomplete ejaculation

Plugged ampullae

Testicular degeneration

Retrograde ejaculation (into bladder…do UA)

Congenital hypoplasia of epididymis (some part missing)

Genetical abnorm (trisomy…3 copies of chromosomes)

What will make you suspect a blocked ampulla in your stallion

It is the beginning of the breeding season and there is a history of mares not getting pregnant after covering

What will you see on semen evaluation in cases of blocked ampulla

Azoospermia (no sperm) or oligospermia (low numbers sperm)

Low ALP conc

If you have a semen sample with azoospermia and normal ALP levels what is you conclusion

There is fluid coming from the testes and the testicles just aren’t producing sperm (there is no block)!!

Where is ALP produced in the male reproductive tract

In the seminiferous tubules and the epididymis

How do you treat a blocked ampulla in stallions

Repeated semen collect

PGF2a (for smooth muscle contraction)

Oxytocin

Manual massage per rectum

(to prevent this continue to collect semen on a regular basis outside the breeding szn)

After a blocked ampulla is resolved in a stallion what can be said about the sperm quality

Very high concentrations of dead sperm…may take several days of semen collection to resume normal quality and establish normal DSO (daily sperm output)

What clinical sign will lead to you a tear in the pelvic urethra most likely

Hemospermia (blood in the ejaculate… can affect fertility depending how much blood)

Can confirm with endoscopy if need be

How do you treat a tear in the pelvic urethra

Repair lesion surgically

Sexual rest

May recur

What are the viral, bacterial and protozoal venereal dz we focused on in stallions

Viral: coital exanthema (EHV-3) and equine viral arteritis (EVA)

Bacterial: contagious equine metritis (CEM) from taylorella equigenitalis or pseudomonas/klebisella less commonly

Protozoal: dourine- trypanosoma epuiperdum (3rd world countries)

What is coital exanthema in stallions? What causes it? What are CS in the progression of the dz?

EHV-3 venereally transmitted and by fomites

Infection of the external genitalia: initially vesicles → pustules, ulcers, crusts → pain during coitus → non-infectious once ulcers heal (look like depigmented areas) BUT immunity short lived and often reinfection

How do you treat coital exanthema in stallions

Sexual rest and hygiene

What are conditions of the prepuce and penis in dogs

Hypospadias

Phimosis

Paraphimosis

Balanoposthitis

Urethral prolapse

Fracture of os penis

TVT

Abnormal termination of penile urethra along the ventral surface of the penis due to incomplete fusion of the median raphe of the penis, prepuce and or scrotum

Hypospadias

What does hypospadias often occur with

Cryptorchidism, deficient development of ventral prepuce or ventral deviation of the penis

How can hypospadia be classified

Based on location: glandular (glans penis), penile, scrotal, perineal

What can hypospadia lead to

Urinary incontinence with dermatitis (from urine scalding)

What is the treatment for hypospadias

Penile: amputation of penis and prepuce to level of urethra opening

Scrotal and perineal: complete amputation of penis and urethrostomy

Castration recommended because GENETIC

How can phimosis be treated in dogs

May no require treatment if can urinate fine and not used for breeding

If treatment required….surgical enlargement of the preputial opening

What are causes to paraphimosis in dogs

Seen especially in small dog breeds

Prolonged sexual arousal, neurological disease, fracture of os penis, balanoposthitis, constriction of preputial opening (hair ring), swelling of penis (trauma or neoplasia)

What can paraphimosis lead to

Ischemia and drying

Progressively compromised

How can you treat paraphimosis in dogs

Lubricate and attempt to replace

Retain with purse string

Isolation from estrous females and cause of sexual arousal

May need to surgically enlarge the preputial opening to put back

May need to amputate penis and perform urethrostomy if necrosis

Is it normal to see a mucopurulent or yellowish white discharge from the prepuce in dogs

Yes unless there are signs of inflammation of excess licking

What can cause balanoposthitis (inflammation of the glans penis and the prepuce)

E. coli or canine herpes virus or associated with atopic dermatitis

What are clinical signs for balanoposthitis in dogs

Purulent to sanguinopurulent preputial discharge

Mucosa hyperemic

Vesicles with CHV

What is the treatment for balanoposthitis in dogs

Systemic and or topical antimicrobials

Flushing of prepuce with warm water/saline

Atopic dermatitis: antihistamines or steroids

Which dogs get urethral prolapse and why

Usually brachycephalic or toy breeds secondary to sexual excitement or urethral infection

What are CS for urethral prolapse in dogs

Intermittent bleeding from preputial opening

Frequent urination

Red pea appearance at the tip of the penis (characteristic sign)

What is the treatment for urethral prolapse in dogs

Surgical replacement of prolapsed tissue with urehtropexy

What are CS of fracture of the os penis in dogs

Ventral deviation of the penis

Dysuria and hematuria

Pain

Crepitus

What is the tx for an os penis fracture

Depends on type, closed or open reduction

Urinary cath

What is the treatment for penile lacerations in dogs

Sexual rest

Anti-inflams

Antibiotics

Penile amputation and urethrostomy in severe cases

What are some differentials for the blood penis in a dog

Penile laceration

Fracture of the os penis

Urethral prolapse

TVT

Prostate disorder

What can cause scrotal dermatitis in dogs

Infectious: B. canis or rocky mountain spotted fever

Autoimmune disorder: discoid lupus, pemphigus erythematosus

How does scrotal dermatitis lead to decreased fertility

Inflam → increase intrascrotal heat → decreasing fertility

What are clinical signs of scrotal herniation in dogs? How can you dx and tx

Fluctuant to firm swelling in scrotum

May or may not be reducible

May get entrapped and strangulate → vomiting, anorexia, scrotal pain

Dx: palpation and US

Tx: sx

What can cause a hydrocele in male dogs

Idiopathic

Inguinal hernia

Infection

Trauma

Testicular torsion

What are some common scrotal neoplasias

SCC

Melanoma

MCT

When do testes usually descend in dogs

1-3 months (should descend by 6 months if they don’t then cryptorchid)

How can you dx cryporchidism in dogs

Visual and palpate

US

Palpation of prostate (big if T is being produced)

GnRH/hCG stim (increase in T after if crypt)

Hormone assays (such as AMH)

What are some causes of orchitis in dogs

Infection: retrograde from prostate or LUT, hematogenous (B. canis), penetrating wound

Autoimmune: secondary to infection → damage to blood testes barrier

What CS will you see with acute vs chronic orchitis

Acute: swelling and pain, pyrexia, hindlimb lame, purulent preputial discharge

Chronic: non-painful enlarged testis, testes soft on palpation or fibrotic, atrophy of unaffected testis

How can you dx orchitis in dogs

Visual inspection and palp

Test for Brucellosis if dogs has scrotal enlargement!!
US (patchy hyperechoic areas or mineralization)

What causes the presence of spines on the penis of a tomcat

Androgens

They will lose spines within 6 weeks of being castrated but the spines can reoccur if exposed to endogenous or exogenous androgens

What accessory sex glands do cats have

Prostate and bulbourethral gland

How do you dx cryporchidism in cats

Palpation

Visual spines (if yes some androgens there)

GnRH or hCG stim test

What are abnormalities of sexual differentiation seen in cats

Tortoiseshell or calico if they are phenotypic males usually its dues to some weird chromosome shitz (38,XX/38,XY chimeras or 38,XXY)

What can you use to terminate pregnancy up to day 150 in cows and why?

PGF2a alone (just CL major source of P4)

What can you use to terminate pregnancy from day 150-250 in cows and why?

Need a combo of PGF2a and dexamethasone (placenta and CL (minor) are both sources of progesterone)

What can you use to terminate pregnancy from day 250-term in cows and why?

Either PGF2a or dexamethasone (CL is main source of progesterone but steroids will mimic fetal cortisol at this point)

What can be used to terminate pregnancy in goast through the gestation period

PGF2a (because CL is major progesterone source throughout)

What will you use to terminate pregnancy in a sheep from beginning of gestation to around day 55-70? Why?

PGF2a (CL major source progesterone)

What will you use to terminate pregnancy in a sheep day 70-term? Why?

Dexamethasone (placenta takes over progesterone production)

How long is gestation in a pig

114 days

What can you use to terminate pregnancy or induce labor (after 110 days of gestation) in pigs

PGF2a (most sows will farrow 20-38 hrs after administration)

What can you give 20 hrs after PGF2a admin in pigs for greater synchrony of farrowings

Oxytocin (not at the beginning because risk of uterine rupture)

How can you terminate pregnancy in dogs and what are the risks of this

PGF2a but side effects because of smooth muscle contraction (vomiting, hypersalivation, micturition, deification, heart/respir effects)

Also risk for pregnant women or asthmatics

How can you terminate pregnancy in cats

PGF2a (side effects like dogs but MORE severe)

Cabergoline (not in US)

Aglepristone (prostaglandin analog not in US)

An HQHV Spay/Neuter clinic is experiencing bottlenecks. Animals are frequently waiting under anesthesia while surgical preparation is completed. What operational change would best improve efficiency?

Use a staggered workflow with parallel induction, preparation, and surgery, minimizing anesthetic duration and ensuring continuous use of induction, prep, and surgical stations.

A high-volume spay/neuter clinic is updating its perioperative protocol to improve patient safety and reduce complications during feline ovariohysterectomy procedures. A healthy 8-month-old queen is presented for elective surgery. The attending veterinarian reviews the Association of Shelter Veterinarians and emphasizes the importance of evidence-based practices for perioperative care in shelter medicine settings. Which of the following actions best reflects the ASV recommendation for improving patient safety in this case?

Administer perioperative analgesia before surgical stimulation

Providing pain control before noxious surgical stimulation reduces central sensitization, improves intraoperative and postoperative analgesia, and enhances overall patient safety and recovery quality.

Can pregnancy occur when an animal is still lactating

YES

There is no effect on milk production until 5 months of gestation in bovine

Describe the bovine udder

4 separate glands divided into 2 halves

Minimal to no communication (this is important when considering treatment and transmission)

Milk production is more in the rear vs front quarters

Describe the small ruminant udder

2 glands divided in hald

2 teats with single streak canal

What cells produce milk

Alveolar epithelial cells

Nutrients from blood into milk (300ml blood/sec in peak lactation)

What is the physiological process in milk letdown

Stimulation of mammary gland → oxytocin release → myoepithelial cells contract → eject milk from lumen of lobule and relax teat sphincter → snack time