Prof. O. Szenci

Examination of the genital tract and the parturient patient and the foetus,

and supervision of parturition and the main disorders at parturition in the

sheep and goat

Prof. O. Szenci

Reproductive tract

EUB: external uterine bifurcation

Uterine hornIcE: intercaruncular endometrium

Cervix

Fornix vaginaCranial vagina

Examination of ovariesExamination of ovaries

• by rectal palpation ???• by ultrasonography

• by colour Doppler sonography ???•by laparoscopy ???

• by measurement of plasma P4

Examination of the uterusExamination of the uterus

• Rectal palpation ???

• Ultrasonography

• Laparoscopy ???

• Additional diagnostic methods:– Uterine biopsy ???– Bacteriology ???– Citology ???

Ultrasonography

• Pregnancy diagnosis

• Uterine disorders– uterine inflammation– adhesions ???– abscesses ???– tumors ???– fetal remnants

A. Transabdominal ultrasonography (3.5 or 5 MHz)

Accurate (40 to 90 after AI):

• Simple pregnancy diagnosis

• Determination of fetal numbers

Disadvantage

• Shaving the ventral abdomen (some breeds)

B. Transrectal Ultrasonography (5 MHz)

Embryonic vesicle

Days 17-19 after A1

Examination of the vagina

• by vaginal speculum

• by vaginoscope

Obstetrical examinationObstetrical examination

The endocrine changes before and during parturition (sheep)

Fetal hypothalamusFetal pituitary

ACTHFetal adrenal

Decreas e in placental P 4Luteolys is of CLG

Decreas e in s erum P 4Increas ed myometral excitability

M yometral contractions

Feta-placental oes trogensCotyledons /myometrium

R eleas e of P GF2aLowers myometral thres hold to oxytocin

R elaxinR elaxation and s oftening

of cervical pelvic ligaments , perineum

Adrenal corticos teroids

The endocrine changes before and during parturition (sheep)

Increas ed myometralexcitability

P os terior pituitaryoxytocin

Fergus on's reflex

M yometrial contractions

S timulates vaginesand cervix

Expuls ion of fetus

Abdominal s training

Release of PGF2

Premature induction of parturition

• Indications:– fetomaternal disproportion is not common– lambing during daylight with skilled assistance

• To reduce problems due to dystocia

• To increase lamb survival rate


• It is important to accurately known gestational age

• It is not possible to shorten gestation length properly without increasing lamb mortality (the role of the surfactant system)


• ACTH• Corticosteroids

– Not too successful for induction

– More often used for oestrus synchronisation: lambing in a relatively short period

• Dexamethanose, flumethasone, betamethanose (im.): – within 5 days before expected parturition

– normal parturition within 2 to 3 days


• Epostane (inhibits the enzyme that is responsible for the catalysis of pregnenolon-progesterone)

• Oestradiol benzoate: – Its use is prohibited in Europe

The endocrine changes before and during parturition in the goat

Luteolys is

P GF2a s ynthes is

Change in P 4:O2 ratio

diverts the s ynthes isof P 4 to E2

Fetal cortis ol

Premature induction of parturition (goat)

• Successful induction is possible• PGF2a (2.5-5 mg)• and PG-analogues (cloprostenol,

fenprostalene: 150-500 g)• ACTH• Corticosteroids (D 141.)• Dexamethasone 20-25 mg im.: parturition

within 2 days• (Oestradiol benzoate: 25 mg, but prohibited!)

Care of the parturient ewe

• second stage labour– completion within 1 h: 72%– the majority of ewes drop the placenta within 2

or 3 h after lambing– 95%: anterior presentation

Uterine involution

• Rapid size and weight reduction between 3 and 10 days postpartum

• Involution is completed by 20-25 days

Restoration of the endometrium

• necrosis of the superficial layer of the caruncles: – undergoes autolysis by 4 days pp.– dark reddish, brown or black coloration of the

lochial discharge


• necrosis of the whole superficial part of the caruncle: – occurring by Day 16 pp.– separation of the brown necrotic plague:

completed– The necrotized particles are present within in

the uterine cavity– re-epithalisation of the caruncles takes place by

approx. D 28


• The quality of the lochia– initially: blood, fetal fluids, placental debris– later: contains sloughed caruncular tissue

Returns of cyclical activity

• follicular growth is common– 2 days to 2 weeks pp.– ovulation is unusual– when it occurs: usually silent heat– inadequate release of LH and GnRH

Elimination of bacterial contamination

• similar like in the cow– however: 1-14 days after lambing (n=10 ewes:

no bacteria)

Bacteriological examination

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

1 2 3 4 5 6 7

%

• 1. A. pyogenes• 2. Bacteroides spp• 3. F. necroforum• 4. E. coli• 5. Stertococcus• 6. Peptostreptococcus• 7. Others: Staph.,

Lacto, Proteus, Clostr)

Classification of ovine births

• Anterior presentation, with head and both forelegs extended: 69,5%

• one foreleg retained: 17.8%

• both forelegs retained: 6.5%

• head retained: 0.7%

• breech presentation (hip flexion): 2.5%

General examination of the animal

• special attention should be paid to the vagina– parts of a foetus may be protruding---- we may

get information about the nature of dystocia


• General condition should be described– if recumbent:

• resting

• exhausted

– the importance of body temperature and pulse rate


Conditions:– two clean buckets with water – table or bench of straw, sterile cloths– hot water, soap, disinfectant

– restraining the animals– cleaning the external genitals and hands

• the external genitals thoroughly washed (one bucket)

• careful washing the hands (second bucket)

Vaginal examination

• If the vagina is empty:

– checking the cervix– not completely dilated + sticky mucus

covers:» the second stage of parturition has

not yet begun» allow more time

Vaginal examination

• spirally arranged folds– uterine torsion

Vaginal examination

• some parts of the foetus in the vagina– head– fore- or hindlegs

• plantar surfaces of the claws: downwards—usually forelimbs (if position is dorsal)

• checking the direction of the flexion of the joints on the legs

– the joint immediately above the the fetlock flexes in the same direction: foreleg

• if two limbs present: check if they belong to the same foetus

Vaginal examination

• Some cases: repel the foetus in the uterus– to get information about the nature of

displaced fetal parts

Vaginal examination

• moisten foetal parts– fresh cases

• profuse blood– recent injury

• dry foetal parts– protracted case– dark, brown discharge:

• very late case

Vaginal examination

• Solution of abnormal presentations– depending on the operator’s ability to pass a

hand through the pelvic bone into the uterus– possible in most of the ewes– impossible (deliver per vaginam may fail):

• primiparous animals

• smaller breeds

Vaginal examination

• Relative foetal oversize– retropulsion of head or hips– gentle traction with obstetric rope

Vaginal examination

• Abnormal posture of the limbs or head – retropulsion– reposition– lubrication– gentle traction

Vaginal examination

• Abnormal posture of the limbs or head– If a lateral deviation of the head or the

breech presentation cannot be reposited: foetotomy, or caesarean section

Vaginal examination

• Special attention should be payed on the soft birth canal, not to cause laceration

• acute infection

• death

• Prevention: • prophylactic vaccination

• use of antibiotics

Dystocia

• 94,5 anterior presentation

• 3,6% posterior presentation

Dystocia

• based on data from 15 584 parturitions:

• occurrence of dystocia: 3.1%– 3.5% in single lambings– 1.3% in twins

Dystocia

• more frequent: – in primiparous animals– male lambs

Abnormal presentations

– shoulder flexion: (the most common)– unilateral shoulder flexion: often lambing

spontaneously – carpal flexion– breech presentation (two sided hip flexion)– lateral deviation of the head– transverse presentations

Dystocia

• Overview:– lateral deviation of the head: 32%– insufficient cervical dilatation: 15%– shoulder flexion– carpal flexion– twins– breech presentation– foetal oversize

Dystocia

• Other occasional causes:– uterine torsion– monstrosities (schistosoma reflexum, double

monsters, anasarca, perosomus elumbis)

Maternal dystocia

Maternal dystocia

Incidence:

– dry season: less

– estrogenic substances• red clover pasture• contaminated food with Fusarium

graminaerum

– reduced PGF2a production

Maternal dystocia

Treatment:

– digital manipulation

– carbetocin (Depotocin, Hypophysin 0.5-1.0 ml)

– denaverin (Spasmotitrat 2-3 ml)

– Caesarean section

Foetal dystocia

Foetal dystocia

• Foetal component: – foetal oversize– abnormal presentation

Foetal dystocia

• Anterior presentation with flexion of the shoulder and flexion/or less frequently/extension, of the elbows

• Treatment:– Correction of abnormal presentation, standard

obstetric procedures (including fetotomy).

Foetal dystocia

• Gentle traction alone (retention of one forelimb)

• Episiotomy, fetotomy: minimize the need for caesarean section in cases if vaginal and vulval tissues are not dilated enough.

• Suturing the separated tissues after removal of the fetus is optional. Prophylactic antibiotic therapy

Caesarean section

• Indication

• cervical dilatation failure

• relative and absolute foetal oversize

• emphysema, monstrosities, hydrallantois

• vaginal prolapse, pregnancy toxaemia: induction is preferred

Dystocia

• Anaesthesia: administration of local anaesthetics: infiltration, paravertebral block or epidural anaesthesisa

• Sedation: diazepam 0.2 mg/kg

Dystocia

• Operative procedure: left flank or midline laparotomy

• Lamb resuscitation:– Acidotic lamb: administration of sodium

bicarbonate (5 mEq) and glucose (5 ml of a 10% solution)

Dystocia

• Prevention:– Regular exercise of the pregnant ewes– The rearing failure, including dystocia are:

repeatable and heritable– Selection for better rearing ability offers

improved prospect to reducing the prevalence of dystocia and less need for obstetrical aid at lambing.

Dystocia

• ewes with dystocia should be culled from pure-bred flocks because of the repeatable and heritable nature of the rearing failure.

Program for improving lamb survival by selection for rearing ability

Rearing perfor.

Y 1 Y 2 Y 3 Y 4 Y 5

not lambed

retain cull cull cull cull

failed to rear

cull cull cull cull cull

rearing at least 1 lamb

retain retain retain retain retain

The newborn and its care

• Sudden change: – demanding great adaptability

• spontaneous respiratory movements within 60 seconds

• important: upper respiratory tract is cleared of fluid, mucus and attached foetal membranes

• one third: absorbed vial lymphatic systems


• Thermoregulation– fall in temperature– recovery within few hours


• Thermoregulation controlled in two ways– increase in metabolic rate

• low glycogen and adipose tissue reserves

• immediate and adequate food

– reduce heat loss• little subcutaneous fat and hence insulation is

poor

• wet surface: heat loss due to evaporation


• Umbilicus– antiseptic solution

Caprine obstetrics

Periparturient care of the doe

• Goats need a 6 to 8-week dry period.

• Does with a history of mastitis should be dry treated.

• Four weeks before parturition: tetanus, enterotoxaemia vaccinations

• Prophylactic Vitamin E-, Se injections: if white muscle disease occurs.

PARTURITION

PARTURITION

• udder fills: occasionally necessary to milk out

• the vulva also enlarges

• place in a clean, well-bedded and roomy box stall: when parturition is close

PARTURITION

• The preparing doe is restless and may build a nest

• after parturition – she licks the membranes, the kid

• may eat part of the placenta

PARTURITION

• Kids are usually standing within 10 to 30 min.

• Licking for 5 to 10 minutes is usually adequate for acceptance.

• The first 2 hours after birth is critical.

Dystocia

Dystocia

• dystocia: the kidding process > 1 h of active abdominal straining without producing a kid

• usually all kids are born within 3 hours and the placenta is passed within 2 h of the last kid

Dystocia

• correct dystocia early because the cervix will begin to close after 2 – 3 h of non-productive labour– it is not possible to dilate again

Dystocia

• active straining for 1.5 h: no progress

• more than 12 h of restlessness and abdominal discomfort without active labour

Dystocia

• 1. Incomplete cervical dilatation:– Firm rings (usually 2 bands 0.5 to 1 cm wide)

can be felt.– A non-dilatated cervix with cool skin and ears

and muscle weakness, treatment for hypocalcaemia (60 ml) should be initiated.

– Caesarean section is indicated.

Dystocia

• 2. Uterine torsion:– Uncommon– Caesarean section

• 3. Forced extraction:– If the cervix is well dilatated and the foetal

presentation can be corrected, forced extraction may be attempted.

Dystocia

• 4. Foetotomy:– Epidural anaesthesia: 2% 2 to 5 ml Lidocaine

Dystocia

• 5. Caesarean section:– left flank or ventral midline incision.– If the doe is profoundly depressed, she may

require only local anaesthesia (30 ml of 1% Lidocaine) and leg restraint.

– If sedation is required diazepam (0.1 to 0.2 mg/kg IV) or xylazine (0.02 to 0.04 mg/kg IV) may be used.

Dystocia

• 5. Caesarean section (cont.):– Ketamine hydrochloride: 5 mg/kg IV– General anaesthesia: halothane or isoflurane

Dystocia

• Prognosis:– is good if the surgery was performed electively.– In the cases of emphysematous, macerated

foetus or seriously ill dam the prognosis is poor.

Dystocia

• Postoperation treatment:– Oxytocin: 5 IU IV or IM– Systemic antibiotic therapy: Penicillin G 20000

to 40000 units/kg IM– Flunixin meglumine: 1.1 mg/kg: may help to

relieve postoperative pain.

Dystocia

• Postoperation treatment (cont):– susceptible to tetanus:

• vaccinated goat: booster injection of toxoid

• not vaccinated: 1500 IU of tetanus antitoxin

Dystocia

• Postoperation treatment (cont):– contaminated uterus during manipulation

• should be rinsed with warm fluid

• with Betadine

• bolus or fluid antibiotics in the uterus

Newborn kids

• stimulation of respiration– vigorous rubbing or– by placing straw in the nose

• fluids should be drained by gravity

• colostrum: 50 ml/kg by stomach tube – in lethargic case

Documents

Prof. O. Szenci