VETERINARY CLINICAL OBSTETRICS
Learning outcomes of the course unit
The course aims to enable the student to know and to understand the essential elements of etiology, pathogenesis, symptomatology, diagnosis and treatment of major pathological conditions of gynecological-obstetric veterinarian. At the end of the course the student should have acquired the ability to use their skills in the diagnosis of situations paraphysiological and / or pathological conditions of the reproductive system of male and female within the various domestic species. Furthermore the student should learn the various techniques of manipulation of its useful oestrus and artificial insemination in different species.
The course aims to provide students with the basic manual skills to perform gynecological examination in the cow and mare, pregnancy diagnosis in equine, bovine, canine, feline, the intervention of Caslick in the mare.
Prerequisites
Examination of obstetrics, artificial fertilization and andrology
Course contents summary
The course aims to enable the student to know and to understand the essential elements of etiology, pathogenesis, symptomatology, diagnosis and treatment of major pathological conditions of gynecological veterinarian, also in order to enable students to acquire the ability to use knowledge and understanding gained in identifying the problems related to the condition of the herd of animals suffering from the disease of interest in obstetrics and gynecology demonstrating a capacity to learn. In addition, the course aims to provide students with the basis of the manual to be done to make a proper clinical approach to reproductive planning, improve reproductive performance and production of the livestock. The final goal will be to introduce students to the knowledge of the basis for the reproductive management of herds in different species of farm animals, physiology and pathophysiology of reproduction in animals, childbirth, reproductive diseases, which could provide the basis for the proper management and breeding of animals for the diagnosis and treatment of diseases of the reproductive system.
Course contents
Introduction to Anatomy and Physiology of the Stallion Genital System- Causes of Infertility, Sub-infertility in the stallion : diagnosis and therapy. Introduction to Anatomy and Physiology of the Mare Reproductive System, Reproductive Hormones of the mare (hypothalamic, pituitary, ovarian and other reproductive hormones. Embryo Transfer in the mare. Introduction to Pregnancy Physiology of the mare, Pregnancy Diagnosis in the mare. Methods of pregnancy diagnosis (clinical and laboratory diagnosis). Diseases and accidents of gestation. Abortion. Multiple Pregnancy. Uterine torsion. Therapeutic abortion Introduction to Parturition Physiology. Induction of Delivery. Caesarian Dissection. Hemolytic Icterus. Rupture of Bladder, Hereditary diseases , Peri-partum Diseases and accidents, Post-partum hemorrhages Rupture of the uterus and vagina, Infertility and hypofertility in the Mare, Irregularity of Estrous Cycle and Anaestrus, Ovary alterations, Reproductive System Diseases, Introduction to Anatomy and Physiology of Bovine Male Genital System.Introduction to Anatomy and Physiology of the Cow Reproductive System. Introduction to Reproductive Physiology of the cow. Reproductive Hormones of the cow (hypothalamic, pituitary, ovarian and other reproductive hormones). Physiology of Estrous Cycle, Estrous Cycle. Estrous Synchronization. Techniques for Estrous Synchronization in the cow. Introduction to Pregnancy Physiology, Pregnancy Diagnosis: Methods of pregnancy diagnosis (clinical and laboratory diagnosis).:
Introduction to Parturition Physiology, Induction of Parturition, Caesarian Dissection
Neonatology: Neonatal Asphyxia Congenital Patent Urachus, Meconium Retention, Rupture of Bladder, hereditary diseases Traumas of newborn calf. Peri-partum Diseases and accidents: post-partum hemorrhages , rupture of uterus and vagina, dismetabolic diseases
Infertility and hypofertility in the Cow: infectious diseases, reproductive system diseases, hormonal disturbances , congental and hereditary defects , feeding causes
Introduction to Anatomy and Physiology of Canine and Feline Male: GenitalTract, Congenital anomalies, Testicular and Epididymal Acquired Deseases , Neoplasm of testicle, Acute and chronic Orchitis and Epididimitis, Penis and Preputial Acquired Deseases , Prostatic Diseases, Infertility Anatomy and Physiology Introduction to Canine and Feline Female GenitalTract: Estrous Cycle, Vaginal Cytology . Samples Techniques ,Clinical Relevance . Mating: sexual behaviour of the bitch , Artificial insemination, Semen Collection Techniques, Artificial insemination, Gestation physiology, Pregnancy diagnosis, Physiology of normal delivery, Dystocia diagnosis and treatments techniques , Post-partum complications, Endometritis, Sub-involution of placental sites, Mastitis. Induced termination of Pregnancy Infertility in the bitch and cat female , Congenital anatomical defects, Hormonal disturbance , Pyometra, False pregnancy , Estrous postponement and inhibition, Surgical and chemistry methods, ultrasonography: introduction , probes and ultrasound machines, ultrasonography in domestic animals (Equine, Bovine, Canine, Swine)
Recommended readings
BOTTARELLI F.: Fertilità e ipofertilità nella bovina. Ed. 'Tep Veterinaria' (1989)
CHRISTIANSEN J.: La riproduzione nel cane e nel gatto.Edizione italiana a cura di F. Cairoli e G. Bono EDI-ERMES (1987)
FELDMAN E. C.: Endocrinologia e riproduzione del cane e del gatto. - Seconda edizione UTET
OEHME F. W., PRIER J. E.: Text Book of Large Animal Surgery. The Williams & Wilkins Company Baltimore (1974)
PARMIGIANI E.: Appunti di clinica osterica veterinaria e note di fecondazione artificiale. Ed. Coop. Universitaria 'Andrei Rublev' (1986)
RICTER, GOTZE: Ostetricia Veterinaria. Edizione italiana a cura di O.Oliva Editoriale Grasso
SLATTER D. H.: Trattato di chirurgia dei piccoli animali. Edizioni SBM Noceto (Parma)
Veterinary Obstetrics and Genital Diseases Roberts Distributed by Edwards Brothers inc. (1971)
OJ Ginther: Ultrasonic imaging and reproduction events in the mare. Equi Services WI 5328 USA
R.S. Youngquist - W. R. Threlfall - CURRENT THERAPY IN LARGE ANIMAL THERIOGENOLOGY, SECOND EDITION ISBN 10: 0-7216-9323-7 ISBN 13: 978-0-7216-9323-1 - 2007.
Seidel G.E. Jr, and Sarah Moore Seidel, 1991. Training manual for embryo transfer in cattle. http://www.fao.org/docrep/004/T0117E/T0117E00.htm#TOC.
Stringfellow D.A., Seidel S.M., 1998. Manual of the International Embryo Transfer Society – Third Edition.
Teaching methods
The course will take place through lectures and practical exercises on cows and mares in the present departmental structures, visits to partner companies and at the local public slaughterhouse; while for small animals will be held as part of the University Veterinary Teaching Hospital maternity clinic and existing agreements with municipal kennels. In addition, specific training will be organized for the topics covered during the course.
During the lectures will be to support specific and updated Power Point presentation of topics will be screened instructional videos on DVD that will be the subject of discussion and debate with students.
Assessment methods and criteria
Final assessment by oral questions to assess the knowledge of the obstetrical and gynecological diseases in animals of veterinary interest, diagnosis and therapy; management of breeding animals of veterinary interest.
