Clinical Examination of Farm Animals - CYF MEDICAL DISTRIBUTION

Clinical Examination of the Female Genital System
(7) Is the herd self contained? What was the health
profile of any recently purchased animals?
(8) Is artificial insemination (AI) used? Is DIY AI
used? Are the staff skilled in using AI? Do any
staff members have poor cow AI conception
rates? Is on-farm semen storage satisfactory?
If natural service is used, is the bull known to be
fertile?
History of the cow or heifer
Further questions should be asked or records inspected
to ascertain the following details of the
patient’s history:
(1) The age and parity of the cow.
(2) Has the cow had any previous breeding
problems? What were these? Was treatment
successful?
(3) Details of last calving – date, parturient problems
including dystocia, retention of fetal
membranes.
(4) Dates of observed oestrus since calving – has the
cow cycled regularly? Is she cycling now? Have
her cycles been excessively short or prolonged?
(5) Service details – dates and method of service,
operator, bull or semen used.
(6) Production records of this cow.
(7) Health record of this cow – details of lameness,
metabolic disease, mastitis, abortion.
Observation of the patient
Cows presented for fertility investigation may be
confined to a stall or in the parlour. Wherever possible
the cow should be viewed from all sides without
restriction, so that her general health and condition
can be assessed. Certain specific changes may be seen
which relate to the patient’s reproductive state.
Many of these are normal physiological changes, but
the clinician should look carefully for obvious signs
of abnormality which can be investigated further at a
later stage.
The condition score of the cow should be estimated
and confirmed by palpation of the lumbar and sacral
regions when the cow is handled. The score (range 1
= very thin to 5 = obese) has an important influence
on fertility. Cows should have a condition score of
3 at calving, 2.5 when served and 2.5 to 3 when
dried off.
The cow in oestrus may appear slightly excitable. A
vaginal discharge of clear tacky mucus (the ‘bulling
string’) may be present. Scuff marks may be seen on
her hindquarters and in front of her tuber coxae
caused by the feet of other animals mounting her.
Dried saliva from other cows may be seen in similar
places. Approximately 48 hours after oestrus the cow
may pass a dark red watery vaginal discharge.
Animals suffering from long term cystic ovarian disease
may show abnormalities of body shape. Virilism,
in which bull-like changes are seen, may occur in
animals chronically affected by luteal cysts secreting
progesterone. Increased development of the neck
muscles may occur and the animal may become aggressive.
Chronic exposure to oestrogens produced
by follicular cysts may produce signs of nymphomania.
In addition to displaying frequent signs of
oestrus, affected animals may show slackening of the
pelvic ligaments with apparent prominence of the
tail head.
Adegree of abdominal distension is anticipated during
pregnancy, especially in the last trimester. Animals
carrying twins may show greater than normal
abdominal distension. Pathological abdominal enlargement
may be seen in cases of hydrops allantois or hydrops
amnion in which the uterus contains excessive
amounts of fluid. The clinical signs of these two conditions
are discussed below. Other causes of abdominal
enlargement such as ascites must always be
borne in mind and should be detected during the
general examination.
In the last few days of pregnancy the sacrosciatic
ligaments become relaxed. The vulva lengthens and
appears slightly oedematous. Tail tone appears to be
reduced. The udder continues to enlarge and may
become oedematous. In some animals the teats
leak colostrum. Mucus from the cervical plug may
appear at the vulva. Body temperature may fall.
Immediately after calving the vulva is still enlarged
and a scant bloodstained vaginal discharge is normal
for 7 to 10 days. The pelvic ligaments begin to tighten
up again and the perineum returns to its preparturient
state. A foul brown or red vaginal discharge may in-
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