Pre-Partum Conditions and Approach to the Normal Calving

M.18, W.1, L.2

List some pre-calving conditions that can occur

• Vaginal Prolapse

• Hydrops

  • Hydrallantois

  • Hydraminos

• Abortion

• Milk Fever

Describe vaginal prolapse (what is it, when it happens, what animal is it more common in)

• eversion of vagina ± cervix

• last trimester (mainly)

• more common in sheep

• Highly repeatable

what do you do to an animal since vaginal prolapse is highly repeatable?

mark the animal to CULL

List risk factors for vaginal prolapse

• Breed (Hereford and fat prone cattle)

• High BCS

• lax sacrotuberous ligaments/vulva

• previous perineal trauma

• increased intra-abdominal pressure

• Estrogen - pastures and hormone treatments

• Hypocalcemia

List the grading system for vaginal prolapse

1. Intermittent only when cow lying down, vaginal tissue fine

2. Continuous prolapse, urinary bladder might be trapped

3. Continuous prolapse, urinary bladder trapped, tissue starts to be compromised

4. As above but includes cervix, tissue infected, necrotic and sepsis/peritonitis possible

*rapid progression through grades

How do you treat a vaginal prolapse?

Caudal Epidural

Describe the process of a caudal epidural (how to ID injection site, needle type, degree of insertion, two methods standard dose, medication name)

• lift tail up/down - ID junction between last stationary and first moving vertebrae (sacrococcygeal space S5-C1)

  • or (C1-C2)

• clip and surgical scrub site

• 18 g x 1.5 inch needle (adult cow)

• hanging drop or attached syringe (inject w/ no resistance)

• insert needle 90 degrees to skin

• 1ml/100kg dose

• local anesthetic and Xylazine (extends duration of epidural)

what is the hanging drop method (for caudal epidural)

• insert needle

• put a little local anesthetic into top of needle

• drop should disappear

  • if in right space bcuz of negative pressure and ‘vacuum’ inside space

List 3 licensed NSAIDs in the UK for farm animals, their active ingredient and dose rate

• Metacam, Meloxicam, single dose

• Ketofen, Ketoprofen, daily for up to 3 days

• Finadyne, Flunixin meglumine, 24-hr intervals for up to 5 days

List the steps to correct vaginal prolapse

• assess viability of tissue

• clean and apply lube

• replace back into vagina

• Buhner’s stitch with uterine tape

  • or horizontal mattress

  • 2-3 fingers wide (need to pass U+)

  • easy knot

• NSAID, broad spectrubs abs

what do you do after correcting a vaginal prolapse?

watch for calving + be prepared for dead calf