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Clinical management of post-cervical uterine torsion in a crossbred jersey

cow

Article · July 2018

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Asloob Ahmad Malik Muzamil Rashid

Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir Indian Veterinary Research Institute
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 Short Note
SKUAST Journal of Research 20 (1): 121-122 (2018)

Clinical management of post-cervical uterine torsion in a crossbred jersey cow

Asloob Ahmad Malik*, Muzamil Rashid, Naseer Ahmad Mir, Arshaq Asfar and Sumiya Niaz

Division of Animal Reproduction, Gynaecology and Obstetrics;

Faculty of Veterinary Sciences and Animal Husbandry,
Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences & Techno1ogy of Kashmir, Shuhama
Alusteng, Srinagar - 190 006, Jammu and Kashmir (India)
* e-mail: [email protected]

(Received 03 March, 2017; accepteds November 21, 2017)

Uterine torsion in large animals is associated with advanced pregnancy and parturition (Nanda and Sharma,
1986) with incidence varying due to geographical location of animals. The incidence of uterine torsion and the
crucial time of its occurrence in bovines emphasize its impact on dam’s health and dairy herd profitability
(Schonfelder and Hasenclever, 2005). Uterine torsion is the single most important malady among parturient
bovines with high rate of dam mortality (Matharu and Prabhakar, 2001). Majority of uterine torsion cases
involve the cephalic portion of vagina leading to stenosis along with spiral twisting of its wall (Roberts, 1986).
Uterine torsion is commonly observed in buffaloes, dairy cows and occasionally in beef cows (Sheetal et al.,
2014). In majority of cases post-cervical torsion occurs in which the gravid uterus rotates about its long axis,
with the point of torsion being the cranial vagina just caudal to the cervix. However, less commonly pre-cervical
torsion occurs with the point of torsion being cranial to the cervix (Roberts, 1986 and Jackson, 1995). For the
management of uterine torsion cases, the techniques being used include per-vagina rotation of fetus, rolling of
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the dam and the caesarean section. The management option needs to be selected judiciously on the basis of
general body condition, blood profiles and the feasibility of the technique (Ghuman, 2010). The present case
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report presents the successful management of dystocia due to post-cervical uterine torsion in a cross bred Jersey
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cow.
A seven year old crossbred Jersey cow was presented to Veterinary
Clinical Complex, FVSc & AH, SKUAST- Kashmir with the history of having
attained full term and signs of labour for 24 hours, but without any progress in
calving. The clinical parameters viz. rectal temperature, respiratory rate and
heart rate were within the normal physiological range. Per-vaginal
examination revealed clockwise spiral folds or twists in the vaginal wall along
with an inaccessible cervix. Per-rectal examination revealed the broad
ligament of the right extending to the right side and sinking beneath the uterus.
The arrangement of broad ligaments and the clockwise spiral twists in the
vagina just posterior to the cervix appreciated upon rectal examination were
suggestive of 180° right sided uterine torsion.
The animal was cast on right lateral recumbent position on ground
bedded with paddy straw. Detorsion was attempted as per modified Schaffer’s
method. The fore and hind legs were secured separately (Fig. 1). The front and Fig. 1: Modified Shaffer’s method of
hind legs were pulled up and over the recumbent dam. A large wooden plank detorsion of the uterus
(length: 10 feet, width: 1 foot and thickness: 1 inch) was placed on the upper
paralumbar fossa of dam to immobilize the uterus while rolling the cow. The
animal was rolled over on to its back. After each roll, effectiveness of roll was
judged by per-vaginal examination. The second roll was successful, leading to
the disappearance of the vaginal spirals, the cervix got dilated and a gush of
discharge occured through the vulva. Vaginal examination revealed fetus in
anterior longitudinal presentation with dorso-sacral position and fore legs
flexed without any pedal reflex. After correcting the flexion of forelimbs, the
head and forelegs were secured with obstetrical chains and a dead female calf
was delivered along with the placenta after applying moderate traction (Fig.
2). The animal was infused with 1000 ml Dextrose Normal Saline (DNS).
Meloxicam (Melonex, 0.5 mg/Kg, O.D, I.M, Intas, India) and pheneramine Fig. 2: A dead female calf delivered
maleate (Avilin Vet, 10 ml, O.D, I.M, MSD, India) were prescribed for three pervagina after detorsion
days. Fou boluses of intrauterine antibiotic (Furea, Pfizer, India) were also placed inside the uterus of the cow.
The cow got up without assistance within 30 minutes after the calf was delivered. The animal had an uneventful
recovery.
Cows are thought to be more susceptible to uterine torsion due to the uterine instability. This instability
of gravid uterus results from dorsolateral attachments of broad ligament (Sloss & Dufty, 1980), and is certainly
 122 Clinical management of post-cervical uterine

a significant predisposing factor in bovine uterine torsion. As pregnancy advances in cows the broad ligaments
do not extend proportionately with the gravid uterus, leading to instability (Frazer et al., 1996 and Drost, 2007).
Many authors suggest that increased fetal movements during labor may be a precipitating parturient factor.
Other factors that have been mentioned include decreased amount of uterine fluid, flaccid uterine wall, small
non- gravid horn and excess fetal weight (Jayakumar et al., 2014). However, the possible cause in present case
could not be ascertained.
The incidence of uterine torsion in cows as reported by Roberts (1971) is 7.3 percent. Other reports
suggest incidence between 7 to 30 percent (El Naggar, 1978). The incidence is higher in pleuriparous cows with
maximum frequency during second and third calvings (Nanda, 1995).The proposed reasons for this increased
incidence in pleuriparous animals include larger abdominal cavity, stretched pelvic ligaments, loose and long
broad ligaments along with loose uterine tissue and decreased uterine tone (Roberts, 1986; Drost, 2007 and
Aubry et al., 2008).
The choice of the method to be adopted for management of uterine torsion depends on the nature and
intensity of the torsion, the viability of the fetus and the time lapse since dystocia onset. In present study rolling
with plank method for achieving detorsion was preferred over caesarean section. The rolling of the dam is the
most popular method of correction (Noakes et al., 2001). Rolling is indicated if dam is recumbent and the fetus
is not approachable due to severity of torsion or if torsion has occurred before expected time of parturition
(Roberts, 1986). A modified rolling technique known as Schaffer‘s method as described by Arthur (1966) is
recommended widely for detorsion. The direction of torsion should be correctly determined prior to attempts at
correction, as rotation in incorrect direction will aggravate the problem. The direction of the vaginal fold
twisting shows the direction of torsion. Rolling can be done with or without plank with varying degree of
success. However, success rate is high when plank is placed on the upper paralumbar fossa. After each roll,
effectiveness is judged by vaginal and rectal examinations (Ghuman, 2010), as was done in the present case.
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Arthur, G.H. 1966. Recent advances in bovine obstetrics. Veterinary Record, 79: 630.
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Aubry, P., Warnick, L.D., DesCôteaux, L., Bouchard, É. 2008. A study of 55 field cases of uterine torsion in
www.IndianJournals.com

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