[Perinatal symptomatology of severe neuromuscular diseases. Apropos of 11 cases]

The neonatal diagnosis of neuro-muscular diseases is difficult. From a series of 11 neonates presenting with such diseases, ante and postnatal semiology has been studied. During pregnancy, hydramnios (7/11) and decreased active movements were the most frequent symptoms. Delivery was often dystotic (7/11). After birth, respiratory distress, lack of motility, hypotonia, and muscle and tendon retraction were the clinical manifestations (10/11). Knowledge of this semiology should facilitate the ante and postnatal screening of affected patients. The diagnosis depends on family history and, overall, on the results of muscle biopsy.

Pelvic dimensions, bodyweight and parturition in rare breeds of sheep

External pelvic measurements were made in 837 adult ewes of 21 different breeds, the majority of which were rare breeds. The pelvic measurements were the intertuber coxal diameter, the distance between the lateral tuber ischii and medial tuber ischii and the rump length. There was a considerable breed variation with the Soay ewes having the smallest and the Suffolk the largest pelvic dimensions. However when the relationship between pelvic size and ewe's bodyweight was compared, the ratio of the medial tuber ischii:bodyweight and sum of four pelvic dimensions:bodyweight of the Soay was over twice that of the Suffolk ewes. When the size of the pelvis was related to the lamb's birth weight the Soay's was relatively larger. Dystocia caused by feto-maternal disproportion occurred in 19 ewes, all with singletons. In 16 cases involving four different breeds the birth weights of the lambs were significantly larger than those lambs which were born normally.

Aetiology and pathogenesis of congenital torticollis and head scoliosis in the equine foetus

In 214 cases of severe dystocia in mares, of which 141 (66 per cent) were Draught horses, deviation of the head and neck, with or without torticollis, malformed head and limbs were found to be the cause of dystocia. No evidence of a genetic lethal factor was found and torticollis was often combined with scoliosis of the head and, frequently, with malformation of one or more limbs. This is considered evidence of a common aetiology and pathogenesis of the syndrome of malformation. The malformations were found to be associated with an increased incidence of caudal and, particularly, transverse presentations. These findings are presented as evidence to support the hypothesis that, during the second half of pregnancy, the narrow tip of the uterine horns provides only limited space for the developing cranial half of the foetus. The surprisingly rapid and complete anatomical and functional recovery of severe malformations of the bones of the neck, head and limbs of surviving foals, born by caesarian section, is taken as further evidence that these malformations have no genetic basis, but originate from unfavourable intrauterine conditions.

Factors affecting and prediction of dystocia in Charolais heifers

Calving difficulty at first and second parturition, using data recorded on 476 purebred Charolais heifers from a ranch in Southeastern Arizona, were analyzed by analysis of variance, step-wise multiple regression and discriminant analysis. Dystocia score (1 = no assistance through 4 = extreme difficulty) was the dependent variable with dam and calf effects independent variables. In this herd, 31.1 and 15.0% of the heifers experienced calving difficulty at first and second parturition, respectively. Birth weight of calf was the most important factor influencing dystocia, accounting for 71 and 61% of the total variation explained by the analysis of variance model when calf effects as well as dam effects were included at first and second parturition. Mean birth weight was 39.0 kg for primiparous heifers and 44.3 kg for second-half cows. A significant increase in dystocia (at both first and second parturition) occurred among male calves with birth weights of 45.5 kg or greater. At first parturition, no significant increase in dystocia occurred among female calves until birth weight exceeded 50 kg. Birth weight was not a significant factor influencing dystocia for female calves at second parturition. Yearling weight of cow and dystocia score of cow's dam were the only significant dam variables, and only at first parturition. Pelvic height measurements did not significantly affect dystocia scores at either parturition. A reasonably accurate prediction of dystocia based on the variables included in this study would be impossible, even if some means were devised to reliably predict birth weight of the calf.

Impacted shoulders--a personal experience

Failure of the shoulders to follow readily after delivery of the head is a life-threatening emergency for the mother and baby which is occasionally encountered by most obstetricians, and receives scant attention in current obstetric textbooks. This is a record of my personal experience of the condition, including 7 patients in whom a destructive procedure was required.

Obstetrical conditions in goats

Eighty-nine obstetrical cases in goats were treated at a University Veterinary Clinic in Saudi Arabia over a two-year period. The causes of dystocia are analysed and the treatment described. The salient features of these obstetrical cases in goats were very similar to those which have been recorded for sheep. The outcome of treatment depended mainly on the general health of the patient when admitted.

Longitudinal vaginal septum

A total of 83 women with longitudinal vaginal septum were encountered over a period of 19 yr. Of these, 47 patients had complete vaginal septum and 36 partial septum. Longitudinal vaginal septum was verified in 61 out of 168 women with uterine anomalies, mostly with uterus didelphys. Only 3 women with partial vaginal septum were found to have a normal uterine cavity. Dystocia and dyspareunia were the most common indications for excision of vaginal septa.

Husbandry methods predisposing to production diseases in dairy cows

Errors in management, other than nutrition, which can be predisposing causes of disease, eg, walking on abrasive surfaces and prolonged standing in slurry (which precipitate lameness), faulty milking and a dirty environment (which are conducive to mastitis), breeding to produce oversized fetuses (leading to dystocia) and inefficient observation (leading to a failure to detect oestrus) are described. Nutritional factors affecting conception rates and the occurrence of the metabolic diseases, ketosis, hypocalcaemia and hypomagnesaemia are outlined.

Dystocia, consumptive coagulopathy, and cardiac failure as complications of a congenital benign mesenchymoma

A congenital benign mesenchymoma which arose in the right foot resulted in dystocia. Shortly after birth, high-output cardiac failure developed secondary to abnormal shunting in the extensive irregular vasculature. Consumptive coagulopathy also occurred, believed to be the result of widely dilated abnormal vessels and extensive necrosis secondary to the trauma of the dystocia. These problems disappeared after resection of the tumor; there has been no recurrence after 2 years.

Management of shoulder girdle dystocia

Avoidance of shoulder dystocia is the best form of management. The potential for such a situation should be considered in the presence of a large fetus when the second stage of labor is prolonged and the fetal head fails to descend to the pelvic outlet. Awareness of a past history of delivery of a large infant is also helpful. Liberal use of cesarean section in such cases will prevent serious neurologic sequelae. If shoulder dystocia occurs, the obstetrician should have a well-conceived approach directed toward disimpaction of the anterior shoulder. The most effective maneuver includes suprapubic pressure and delivery of the posterior arm.