CLINICAL EVALUATION AND ABNORMALITIES OF REPRODUCTIVE TRACT IN DOMESTIC ANIMALS

CLINICAL EVALUATION AND ABNORMALITIES OF REPRODUCTIVE TRACT IN DOMESTIC ANIMALS

A thorough examination of the female and her reproductive tract should be done before purchasing for breeding purpose or prior to each breeding season.

 It is essentially being carried out for the following reasons 

1.Diagnosis of pregnancy

2.Estimation of the gestational age 

3. Characterization of reproductive physiological and pathologic status 

3. Allows the clinician to predict important events to come such as oestrus  ovulation parturition  abortion  4. Allows for a rational approach to therapy 

5. Allows for establishing a prognosis of conditions of the uterus, uterine tubes, ovaries and supporting structures

CLINICAL EVALUATION OF COWS AND HEIFERS

 HISTORY

History taking can be done simultaneously while the animal is being examined. The important issues that need to be addressed include the following:

1.Parity (virgin heifer, pregnant heifer, uniparous or multiparous cow). 

2.Age (including age at first calving) 

3.Cyclic history (normal or abnormal cycle lengths, anestrus, nymphomania). 

4. Calving dates and comments (dystocia, twins, retained placenta, surgical or mechanical intervention, viability of calf). 

5.Breeding dates and methods (artificial insemination or natural service, estrus detection methods and personnel, semen supplier and quality, previous record of bull fertility, including examination for venereal disease).

6. Previous treatments (drugs, dosages and routes, treatment intervals, clinical outcome, drug withdrawal disease).

7. Nutritional program (periparturient supplementation of beef cows, dry-period feeding of dairy cows, body conditions of cows at calving, milk production levels). 

PHYSICAL EXAMINATION 

Visual Inspection 

Visual inspection gives valuable information about the individual animal and will be an aid to genital examination. 

Visual inspection involves the following: 

 General conformation 

 Conformation of the external genitalia 

 Vulvar discharges 

 Condition of the mammary gland 

 General behavior of the animal 

General Conformation 

 Cows with a masculine appearance of the head and shoulder region may be suffering from Cystic ovarian degeneration Freemartin heifers may exhibit steer-like appearance.

Conformation of the External Genitalia 

Physiological alterations

  The vulval labia are normally covered with soft, thin skin and are symmetrical and closely opposed to ensure closure of the vestibule and vagina

 There is high tonicity of the pelvic diaphragm as well as the vulva in a non-pregnant or early pregnant cow manifested by firmness of the diaphragm and relatively small and wrinkled appearance of the vulval lips.

 During the last trimester of pregnancy these structures undergo gradual but continuous relaxation. 

 The relaxation becomes marked and the vulva nearly doubles in size during the last 10 to 14 days prior to parturition and this extreme relaxation of the pelvic ligaments causes the tail head to become elevated 

 Within 2 weeks following parturition the vulva returns to normal size.

Pathological alterations 

Pathological alterations involve the following 

 Extreme relaxation of the pelvic diaphragm, enlargement of the vulva and elevation of the tail head in Cystic ovarian degeneration.

 Relaxation of the vulval lips alone in cows with long standing cases of metritis

  Extreme swelling of the vulva associated with edema, but with increased tension, is found as the first sign of Infectious Pustular Vulvovaginitis (IPV) 

Discharges from the Vulva 

Discharges observed in normal animal

 During estrus, the vulva may appear edematous with presence of characteristic clear, elastic mucus that hangs from the ventral commissure. In many cases the mucus may be present adhering to the tail

 Blood stained mucus may be present in some heifers and cows during the first few days after the end of estrus referred to as metestrual bleeding .

 Reddish grey discharge, consisting of blood elements and debris of endometrium referred to as lochia, is observed in post parturient cows and increases in amount reaching peak quantities around the third week of the post partum period.

Discharges associated with pathological conditions

 The presence of a mucopurulent (clear mucus discharge with pus flakes) to purulent discharge indicates  inflammation of any segment of the reproductive tract or infection of the urinary system 

 It should be noted that apparent purulent discharge may be absent in cases of pyometra while a heavy purulent discharge may be present in animals with normally progressing pregnancy

 Greyish discharge not containing apparent pus has been observed in certain cases of cystic ovaries.

Appearance of the Udder 

 Edema and enlargement of the mammary gland are normally found in the pre parturient and post parturient period 

 Cows that have failed to conceive over long periods may have a small shrunken vulva

General Behaviour 

 The general behavior of the animal can be observed only when the animal is not confined.

Signs of estrus, hyperestrus, bellowing and pawing can be observed.

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