Clinical Examination of Farm Animals - CYF MEDICAL DISTRIBUTION

Clinical Examination of the Female Genital System
CLINICIAN’S CHECKLIST – RECTAL
EXAMINATION
Position of the genital tract
Can the uterus be retracted?
Cervix – position, size and mobility
Uterus – position and size.
Uterine horns – size, relative size and contents
Signs of pregnancy?
Signs of fetal life?
Ovaries – position, size
Ovarian follicles – number, size and consistency
Corpora lutea – position, size and age
Presence of ovarian cysts – size and possible type
Ultrasonographic evaluation of genital system
(3) Vaginal examination
This may be carried out manually or using a speculum.
Many cows and most heifers find a manual
vaginal examination uncomfortable but tolerate a
speculum well. In the absence of a speculum much
useful information can be obtained from a careful
manual vaginal examination. Two main types of
speculum are available. Plastic or polished cardboard
tubular speculae with a light source at their
distal end allow close and well illuminated examination
of the vagina and the cervix. Their tubular parts
are interchangeable and sometimes disposable, and
a separate tube can be used for each animal. Metal,
hinged ‘duck-billed’ specula can also be used. Light
can be provided by a pen torch.
Before the examination, the perineum and vulva
must be carefully washed with warm water and a
small amount of dilute antiseptic. The distal end of
the speculum is lightly smeared with obstetrical
lubricant before being carefully introduced into the
vagina. At this point the patient may aspirate air into
her vagina, allowing a panoramic view of the vagina
and cervix. This is particularly likely to happen with
the duck-billed speculum. The tension on the vaginal
walls and cervix may reveal lesions which are not
visible in the non-dilated vagina.
Vaginal walls
The vaginal walls should be carefully inspected for
signs of laceration or superficial damage. Perivaginal
haematomata caused by calving injuries may cause
distortion of the vaginal wall and reduce the size of
the vaginal lumen. Their presence can be readily confirmed
by rectal or vaginal ultrasonography when
the typical segmented appearance of a haematoma
can be confirmed. The external urethral orifice can be
seen in the vaginal floor over the pubic bones.
Vaginal contents
The small clitoris may be seen on the ventral floor of
the caudal vagina. In freemartins the clitoris may be
prominent, occasionally surrounded by a small number
of long hairs. The vagina is usually severely shortened
(