A CASE REPORT: MANAGEMENT OF FETAL MUMMIFICATION IN CAT

Deficiency of uridine monophosphate synthase (DUMPS) and X-chromosome deletion in fetal mummification in cattle

Effect of Mummified Fetuses on the Prolificacy of Holsteins

Foetal mummification does not cause loss by losing foetus only but the harm extends to the mother dam. This is the first study that investigates the changes that occur in the dam's body due to foetal mummification through a comprehensive investigation of the hormonal, biochemical, liver, kidney and mineral profiles of the dam. This study represents a model to investigate the pathogenesis of such clinically severe cases. This study involved 40 cows with foetal mummification. The dams were divided into 2 groups (20 for each): Group 1 (cows carrying normal foetuses [CNF]) and Group 2 (cows carrying mummified foetuses [CMF]). Blood samples were collected for evaluation of hormonal profile, biochemical profile, kidney profile, liver profile and mineral profile. Results showed that progesterone (P4) and oestradiol (E2) concentrations were not significantly changed in the CMF group compared to the CNF group, whereas total triiodothyronine (T3) and total thyroxin (T4) showed a significant reduction in mummified cases than in CNF group. In the CMF group, parameters such as glucose and albumin were significantly lower compared to the normal pregnant animals. In contrast, triglycerides, cholesterol, globulin and total protein (TP) were significantly higher. Kidney and liver profiles showed a significant increase in urea, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and bilirubin, a significant decrease in alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and non-significant differences in creatinine and gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT) in CMF compared with normal pregnant cows. Mineral profiles showed a significant decrease in calcium and phosphorus, a significant increase in iron and potassium and a non-significant increase in magnesium, sodium and chloride in the mummified group compared to the normal pregnancy group. Cows with mummified foetuses (MF) maintained variant biological changes in the body. These findings can be used as an indicator for cow health and as a diagnostic tool to avoid pregnancy disorders that occur during the late pregnancy.

Fetal mummification is an uncommon condition in most domestic species. While most often seen in multiparous and polytocous species like swine, it is also observed in monotocous species when the fetus is retained for a long time. The low prevalence of the condition may help explain the scarcity of information in the literature. To further complicate the study of this phenomenon, the physiological mechanisms that maintain pregnancy vary between species, implying different pathways for the condition. The exact outcome of early fetal mortality is unpredictable, and is influenced by several factors, including the cause of fetal mortality, differences in pregnancy between species, stage of gestation at fetal death, and number of fetuses. Based on our current knowledge of natural fetal mummification events, there are a number of prerequisites for the process of fetal mummification to occur. Examining the circumstances associated with fetal mummification can help scientists better understand the etiology and clinical situation in different species. The objective of this article is to review fetal mummification in the major domestic species: cattle, goats, sheep, horses, swine, dogs, and cats. This paper discusses the clinical situation, the most common and important etiologies, and the treatment approaches for restoring future pregnancy in the female, and where applicable, herd fertility.

Anal fistula is one of the common infectious diseases in anus and intestines, but also a chronic disease, recurrent episodes, can not be self-healing, at present, surgery is the most effective way to cure anal fistula. However, due to postoperative wound infection, surgical damage to the anorectal peripheral tissues, the patient’s physical weakness and other factors, resulting in patients prone to postoperative anal fistula wound healing slow problem, which affects the quality of the surgery, but also in turn damage to the family economy and the patient’s physical and mental health. Therefore, how to accelerate postoperative wound healing is one of the problems that anorectal surgeons need to solve. At present, there are a large number of domestic studies show simmering pus and long meat method to make the postoperative healing effect of anal fistula has significantly improved. Chang’an Niu’s academic school of anorectal disease originated in Xianyang, Shaanxi Province, which focuses on the study of Chinese medicine diagnosis and treatment of anal and intestinal diseases, and the use of traditional Chinese medicine in clinical practice, the clinical results show that the healing effect of postoperative anal fistula is excellent. The article will describe the experience of Chang’an Niu’s School of Anorectal Disease in promoting postoperative healing of anal fistula through the theory of ‘simmering pus and growing flesh’, which will provide a new idea and a new way for postoperative clinical treatment of anal fistula.

A 9-month pregnant non-descript buffalo heifer was presented with the history of vaginal discharge. The case was diagnosed as fetal mummification during clinical and ultrasound examination. The parturition was induced with PGF2α. The animal was not responded to and hence the second dose of PGF2α was given 72 h later. The cervix was fully dilated forty-eight hours after second PGF2α injection but due to vulval constriction it was unable to deliver the fetus. Hence an episiotomy was performed and the mummified fetus was delivered.

Fetal mummification is a rare and challenging condition in cats that requires immediate intervention to mitigate potential risks to the mother and future pregnancies. This case study presents the diagnosis, treatment, and outcomes of Pawpaw, a cat diagnosed with fetal mummification. Ovariohysterectomy was performed as an alternative treatment method to address the critical condition of the cat. The diagnosis was established based on various factors, including indications, anamnesis, clinical symptoms, clinical examination, clinical findings, and investigative results. Diagnostic confirmation was achieved through blood haematology tests and ultrasound examinations. The therapeutic approach consisted of administering a combination of normal saline fluid therapy, glycerin, ondansetron, ceftriaxone, intramox, doxycycline, acetylcysteine, sakatonic liver, vitamins, ventolin, Tripura, meloxicam, impacting, and furosemide. Anesthesia during the ovariohysterectomy procedure involved the use of atropine sulfate, xylazine, and ketamine. Despite the extensive medical intervention, the cat, Bimbim, succumbed to its critical condition during the surgery. This case study highlights the importance of early diagnosis and prompt intervention in cases of feline fetal mummification. Ovariohysterectomy proved to be a viable alternative treatment option, although the critical condition of the cat posed significant challenges to its successful outcome. Further research and enhanced understanding of fetal mummification in cats are essential to improve the management and prognosis of this condition.

Neurosurgery is characterized by high complexity and risk, with postoperative wound healing being a critical factor in surgical success. Wound healing encompasses not only local tissue repair processes but is also influenced by systemic nutritional status. Consequently, both preoperative and postoperative nutritional assessment and support are essential for enhancing recovery and minimizing complications. Malnutrition or overnutrition can negatively impact postoperative wound healing. By utilizing appropriate nutritional scoring tools, healthcare providers can identify potential nutritional risks following surgery and implement corresponding interventions to optimize the recovery process and decrease the likelihood of complications. This review aims to investigate the application and correlation of various nutritional scores in relation to wound healing after neurosurgery. Through a comprehensive review and analysis, the impact of these scores on postoperative wound healing will be evaluated, providing a scientific foundation for clinical practice. The study on postoperative wound healing in neurosurgery is included, and the relationship between different nutritional scores is thoroughly assessed through review analysis to predict their effects on postoperative healing. Future research should further examine the effectiveness of different nutritional scoring tools in specific neurosurgical contexts and integrate individualized nutrition support strategies to offer patients more precise postoperative care plans.

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

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.

Study objectives were to analyze stillborn piglet data using three logistic regression models and to determine the effect of some risk factors on piglet mortality at birth. Data were collected from January 2003 to December 2004 on a commercial, farrowto-finish farm in the State of Yucatan, Mexico. Response variables were: a) litters with zero or at least one stillborn piglet (nmc, n=2561 litters), and b) dead or live piglet (nm, n=27,108 piglets). The risk factors were: farrowing year, farrowing season (dry, rainy and north wind), parity number (1, 2-4, >4), litter size ( 12), litter with at least one mummified fetus (no, yes), and type of artificial insemination. Data were analyzed with standard logistic regression (SLR, nmc and nm variables) and random binomial logistic regression (RLR, nm variable) models. The RLR model fit best the data. Not using the appropriate model produced changes in risk factor significance levels. According to the RLR model, risk of mortality was greater for piglets born in the north wind season versus the dry and rainy seasons (P=0.023). Risk of piglet mortality was also higher in first parity sows and in sows with 5 or more parities (P=0.001). The risk of mortality was 1.41 times higher in litters with at least one mummified fetus compared to litters without mummified fetuses. Litters with six or less piglets had a higher risk of mortality.

Bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) is a globally significant pathogen affecting both domestic livestock and wildlife, including white-tailed deer (WTD; Odocoileus virginianus). While experimental infections have demonstrated WTD susceptibility to BVDV, natural infections and associated reproductive outcomes remain scarcely documented. Here, we report the first confirmed case of naturally occurring BVDV-1 infection associated with fetal mummification in farmed WTD in Florida. A two-year-old doe experienced a stillbirth involving two mummified fetuses, which were submitted for necropsy and laboratory diagnostics. Gross findings included diarrhea and underdeveloped eyes in the fetuses, along with small white nodules indicative of amnion nodosum. While not harmful, this condition suggests underlying fetal compromise or intrauterine stress. Virus isolation using Vero E6 and bovine turbinate cell lines, along with a reverse transcription PCR (RT-PCR) assay specifically developed in this study, confirmed the presence of BVDV-1 (Pestivirus bovis) RNA in both maternal and fetal samples, suggesting vertical transmission. Sanger sequencing of RT-PCR amplicons further verified the virus species as BVDV-1. Differential diagnostics for other pathogens, including bluetongue virus, epizootic hemorrhagic disease virus, Mycobacterium spp., and Toxoplasma gondii, were negative. These findings underscore the importance of using biosecurity measures and including BVDV in the differential diagnosis of abortions to reduce the risk of BVDV transmission and potential outbreaks on deer farms, particularly those close to cattle operations. The molecular tools developed in this study provide a robust framework for improved detection and monitoring of BVDV in both wildlife and livestock populations.

SUMMARY Reproductive tracts were recovered from 209 sow and 32 gilt carcasses at slaughter; animals had been pregnant not less than 27 days. Of 241 litters examined, 28 (11.6%) contained one or more porcine parvovirus (ppv)-infected fetuses, as determined by immunofluorescent microscopy. The frequencies in sow and gilt litters were 12.0% and 9.4%, respectively. The ppv antigen was detected in 219 of 334 (65.6%) dead or mummified fetuses and in 12 of 2,172 (0.5%) live fetuses examined. The 18 litters which contained only dead or mummified fetuses were infected with ppv. As the percentage of litter mummification increased, the likelihood of finding ppv increased. The ppv antibody was detected in ovarian follicular fluids of 94.3% of the sows and 78.1% of the gilts. These findings indicate that ppv is highly associated with fetal mummification and that some pregnant gilts and sows are susceptible to infection.

Plasma Progesterone Levels and Luteal Activity during Gestation and Prolonged Oviductal Egg Retention in a Tropical Lizard, Calotes versicolor

Objective To explore the efficacy of Chinese herbal fumigation and sitz-bath combined with red ointment in the treatment of postoperative wound healing and pain control in anal fistula patients. Methods A total of 118 anal fistula patients were selected as the study population, randomly divided into two groups, i.e., the research group (n = 60) and the control group (n = 60). The control group was treated with red ointment therapy for postoperative wound healing and pain while the research group was treated with a combination of ointment and traditional Chinese medicine fumigation sitz-bath, Postoperative wound healing, pain control, and safety evaluation were compared between the two groups. Results. The total effective rate in the research group was 96.67%, which was significantly higher than that in the control group (93.10%), and the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05). The VAS scores and postoperative wound healing times in the research group were significantly lower than those in the control group. The difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05). A day after postoperative treatment, there was no significant difference (P > 0.05) in TNF-α and IL-6 levels between the two study groups; however, from day 3 to day 14 the levels were statistically different. TNF-α and IL-6 levels in research group were significantly lower than those in the control group. The difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05). The incidence of postoperative complications in the research group at 6.67% was statistically significant (P < 0.05), significantly lower than 13.79% in the control group. Conclusion. Postoperative intervention with Chinese herbal fumigation and sitz-bath combined with red ointment can effectively reduce the wound healing duration and lower the degree of pain experienced by anal fistula patients, thereby improving their quality of life.