Delayed postpartum fetotomy in an Asian elephant (Elephas maximus).

A 37-yr-old Asian elephant (Elephas maximus) started parturition after 640 days of pregnancy but no fetal parts entered the birth canal. Despite veterinary intervention, the calf was not delivered. After 13 mo calving resumed and a full-term dead calf advanced into and lodged within the vagina. With standing xylazine tranquilization, the dam received a vagino-vestibulotomy to permit total fetotomy of the calf, which presented with bilateral carpal arthrogryposis. Severe infection of the caudal vaginal vestibulum complicated wound healing, and over the following year two corrective surgeries were performed, which resolved the fistula 3 mo after the second debridement. The elephant not only survived the procedures but also resumed normal estrous cycles, as demonstrated by blood progesterone concentration monitoring.

Dystocia following prolonged retention of a dead fetus in an Asian elephant (Elephas maximus).

A 32-year-old nulliparous female Asian elephant (Elephas maximus) showed signs of parturition 8 months later than predicted from the breeding records. However, while serosanguineous fluid, necrotic tissue and pieces of amnion were expelled, second-stage labor did not progress. Since the fetus was not found during an endoscopic examination of the vestibule, it was assumed that the elephant had calved unseen and she was returned to the forest to recuperate. Twelve months later, the elephant showed clear signs of second-stage labor accompanied by a bulge in the perineum and passage of keratinized nail through the vulva. A 35 cm episiotomy incision was made in the perineum just below the anus, via which chains were attached to the forelimbs of the fetus. Traction on the forelimbs alone proved insufficient to achieve delivery because the fetal head kept rotating and impacting in the pelvis. However, traction applied via a hook inserted behind the mandibular symphysis allowed the head to be elevated and extended, and the fetus to be delivered. The episiotomy wound was sutured in two layers and although the skin did not heal during primary closure it subsequently healed uneventfully by second intention. Retrospective evaluation of the elephant's serum progestagens profile demonstrated a fall to baseline at the suspected onset of parturition, supporting the supposition that the fetus was retained in the uterus for 12 months after parturition began. It is suggested that serum progestagens concentrations should be monitored regularly in mated elephant cows to verify the establishment of pregnancy and to better estimate the expected timing, and the onset of calving.

Risk factors for stillbirth and foetal mummification in four Brazilian swine herds.

The objective of this study was to identify the risk factors of stillbirth and foetal mummification in 565 farrowings of four commercial pig farms in Brazil. Stillborn piglets were observed in 31.3% of the litters and the stillborn risk was 5.6%. Mummified foetuses occurred in 42.1% of the litters and the mummification risk was 3.4%. The potential risk factors were included in multivariable logistic regression models as categories: herd (1-4); parity (1, 2-5 and >5); litter size (<10, 10-12 and >12 piglets); farrowing length (< or =3 or >3h); presence of mummified foetuses (yes or no); farrowing induction (yes or no); use of oxytocin (yes or no); use of vaginal palpation (yes or no); body condition score (<3, 3 and > or =4), and placental production index (PPI) (5) which was measured as the ratio of total foetal weight to total placental weight. Duration of farrowing and use of farrowing induction, oxytocin or vaginal palpation were not included in the model that investigated the risk factors of foetal mummification. Two models were used to investigate the risk factors of stillbirth, one with and the other without the inclusion of farrowing length. When compared to sows of parity 2-5, sows of parity >5 had 1.7- and 1.6-times higher odds (P<0.05) for stillbirth in the models with and without the inclusion of farrowing length, respectively. In both models, sows with more than 12 piglets/litter had 3.6-times higher odds of stillbirth occurrence compared to sows with less than 10 piglets (P<0.05). Sows with prolonged farrowing (>3h) had 2.0-times higher odds of stillbirth occurrence than sows with short farrowing (P<0.05). Sows with more than 12 piglets/litter had 14.5-times higher odds of mummification compared to sows with less than 10 piglets (P<0.05). Sows of parities 1 and >5 had 3.5- and 2.0-times, respectively, higher odds of mummification in comparison to sows of parity 2-5 (P<0.05). Sows with low PPI had 1.7-times higher odds of mummification compared to those with high PPI (P<0.05). A large litter, a high-parity and a prolonged farrowing increased the risk of stillbirth. The probability of having a mummified foetus was increased in very young and older sows, when having a large litter and a litter with a less efficient placenta.

Fecal estrone sulfate profile of a sow showing abnormal pregnancy with fetal mummification.

Fecal and plasma E1S of a sow with mummified fetuses, was compared with normal delivery cases. Fecal and plasma fluctuation patterns in E1S were similar. In the sow with fetal mummification both fecal and plasma E1S concentration rapidly decreased after day 80-90 compared to normal farrowing sows. This coincided with the estimated time of fetal death.

Postpartum mummification of a co-twin fetus in a Cameroon dwarf goat doe.

An 18-month-old Cameroon dwarf goat doe had chronic, bilateral hindlimb paresis and difficulty in rising two months after the birth of a normal kid. The doe was weak, pyrexic and had a purulent vaginal discharge. A large, firm mass was palpated in the caudodorsal abdomen. Abdominal ultrasonography revealed an ill-defined impenetrable mass which cast acoustic shadows. Radiography identified the mass as a fetus. The doe had a low normal haematocrit and a marked leucocytosis. A caesarian section through the caudal left paralumbar fossa was attempted, but contraction of the uterus had trapped the fetus in the cranial entrance of the pelvic canal preventing the uterus from being exteriorised. Adhesions were found between the uterus and abdominal viscera. The doe's inability to rise was attributed to the chronic pressure exerted on the ischiadic nerve by the fetus. A diagnosis of fetal mummification secondary to obstructive dystocia and fetal death was made. Radiography was a better diagnostic tool than ultrasonography in this case.

Prolonged in utero retention and mummification of a Macaca mulatta fetus.

An intrauterine mummified fetus in a Macaca mulatta was delivered surgically 708 days after onset of the last menstrual flow. Supracervical hysterectomy and left salpingo-oophorectomy were done. The fetus consisted of a compressed but complete skeleton and hairy skin adherent to the intact, thin uterine wall. Placenta and umbilical cord could not be identified.

Intrauterine mummified fetus in a rhesus monkey (Macaca mulatta).

A case of an intrauterine mummified fetus in a Macaca mulatta is described. The condition was detected in a member of a harem breeding colony, which exhibited vaginal bleeding. The mummified fetus was surgically removed and the mother made an uneventful recovery.

[Ecbolic and hormonal action of synthetic prostaglandin F2a in fetal mummification in two Holstein cows (author's transl)]. / Actions ecbolique et hormonale de la prostaglandine F2a synthétique lors de momification foetale chez deux vaches Holstein.

Ecbolic and Hormonal Action of Synthetic Prostaglandin F(2)a in Fetal Mummification in Two Holstein CowsThe effects of treatment with synthetic prostaglandin F(2)a (500mug i.m.) to correct cases of fetal mummification in two Holstein cows are described.

The use of cloprostenol for the termination of pregnancy and the expulsion of mummified fetus in cattle.

Misalliance and mummification are two indications for treatment with cloprostenol. Of 56 animals mated accidentally that were treated with 0-5 mg cloprostenol, 12 were more than 150 days pregnant and of those, nine required more than one treatment. The animals treated early in pregnancy aborted promptly and completely whereas two, considered to be 200 days pregnant at the first treatment, failed to respond at all. There were no reports of retained fetal membranes or any adverse side effects. Eight cases of fetal mummification were also submitted for treatment. All aborted within three to five days, the fetus being removed manually per vaginam in each case. Serial blood progesterone assays indicated that successful treatment was associated with leutolysis in all cases. It was concluded that cloprostenol may successfully be used for the treatment of misalliance and mummification of the fetus.