A common disease of cattle and may also in dog, cat, sheep, goat, mare, Buffalo. The slides contain an introduction, causes of torsion, clinical signs and symptoms, torsion causes, treatment.
2. Introduction
Torsion of the uterus may occur in all species of animals.
Torsion of the uterus is most commonly observed in dairy cattle, occasionally seen in beef
cattle, dogs, cats, sheep, goat mare and rarely seen in sow.
Torsion of the uterus from its longitudinal axis is known as uterine torsion, also called the
twisted uterus.
Torsion may clockwise and anticlockwise in the direction.
Torsion chances are more at the before 1st stage labor, during 1st stage and initiation of
2nd stage.
Normally the broad ligament of uterus that tend to prevent torsion.
Degree of torsion: 45属, 90属, 180属, 270属, 360属, 720属.
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3. Torsion occurs more in left than right, due to the right ovary is more functional than left in
cattle.
In normal condition, the uterus is suspended by the broad ligament in the horizontal
direction.
The gravid uterus is supported by the abdominal floor, rumen, and abdominal viscera.
Post cervical torsion:
One common pattern found in most studies that most of the cases involve post-cervical
torsions (i.e. the point of rotation occurs between the cervix and the vulva, not the cervix
and the womb.
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4. Pre cervical torsion:
Rotation occurs between cervix and uterus but this is uncommon.
In uniparous, both gravid and non gravid horn are involved in torsion, but not in
animal (dog, cat).
In multiparous animal, torsion of one horn may or may not the involvement of the another
horn.
Twinning may also prevent torsion, due to the balance of both side of horn.
Odd number of fetus may also cause torsion, due to the heavy load at the one side.
Torsion cause stop the blood floe to the fetus and cause death according to the torsion
degree.
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5. Buffalos are more prone because of the weak musculature of the broad ligaments than
the cattle.
The weak musculature, deep abdominal cavity and the poor broad ligament structure
this makes buffalo the most susceptible to uterine torsion compared to any other
species.
Sudden slip or fall in either lying down or rising could cause torsion.
Factor aiding torsion of uterus:
Absence of fetal fluid
Sudden falls or rolling
These factor are more important in dog and cat for torsion.
Confinement of stables for long period favours torsion in cow.
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6. Causes
The main cause of the uterine torsion are:
Frequent sitting down and standing up by pregnant animals
Big dam and small fetus
Sudden movement of animals
Enough exercise to keep ligament of cow in tone
Calving in small group increased risk of aggressiveness of animal
Heavier calf increased uterine instability
Pyometra, mucometra, hematomera and hydrometra condition
Deep capacious abdomen
Flaccid uterus
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7. Clinical Sign and Symptoms
Uterine torsion form dystocia, due to the blockade of the birth canal.
Most often, abnormal fetal presentation
Myoma uteri
Uterine malformations
Obstruction of birth canal
Abdominal pain
Vaginal bleeding
Shock
Urinary and intestinal symptoms.
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8. Non-progression of labor
Tight, unlubricated vaginal cavity
Conical, corkscrew appearance of vaginal lining
Twisted, tight or skewed vulvar lips
Inability to see or feel calf inside the birth canal
Restless or stressed behavior
Increased heart rate and respiratory rate
Increased levels of progesterone compared to control animal
Decreased levels of estradiol-17 (type of estrogen) compared to control animal
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9. Fever presented in around 1 in 5 cases
Complete anorexia
Constipation
Fetid diarrhea
Complete lack of ruminations
Very rapid at initial and weak pulse later
Rapid respiration
Expiratory grunt
Normal to subnormal temperature
Cold exteremires
Shock
Death
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10. Torsion Causes
Death of fetus
Fetal mummification
Fetal maceration
Fetal emphysema
Stoppage of blood, nutrient, gas exchange
Dystocia
Gangrene of the uterus
Rupture of ligament
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11. Treatment
Laparohysterotomy: By the Caesarean section
Schaeffer`s rolling method: Rolling of the animals at the same side which the torsion
is directed according to the type of torsion. A maximum number of rolled is 4 times.
Rotation of the fetus per vaginal: Used for the mild degree of torsion. By the use of the
hand, push right on the opposite site of the direction.
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12. Reference
Faria, N. and Simoies, (2015), j. Asian Pacific Journal of Reproduction,
www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2305050015000275
Grant Maxie, (2007), Jubb, Kennedy & Palmer's Pathology of Domestic Animals, 5th Edition, 3-
Volume Set
Jensen, J.G. Uterine torsion in pregnancy, Department of Obstetrics, Hj淡rring Hospital, Denmark
Stephen. J. Roberts, (2012), Veterinary Obstetrics And Genital Disease
Vet In Training, Veterinary Disease Information Blog
vetstudentresearch.blogspot.com/2015/10/uterine-torsion-in-cattle.html
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