Uterine torsion is a well recognised complication of pregnancy in cattle (Arthur et al., 1989). The usual presentation is at or close to term. Most frequently an anti-clockwise rotation (Pearson, 1971) of the entire organ around its long axis occludes, sometimes totally depending on the degree of torsion, the cervix or cranial vagina resulting in dystocia. The exact aetiology of the condition remains to be fuUy understood but it is postulated that the presence of a single foetus, frequently weighing50 kg or more (Pearson, 1971), occupying a single horn of a bicornuate organ and becoming increasingly active (Roberts, 1971) creates an inherently unstable situation within the bovine abdomen towards term. Hypocalcaemia may also be involved (Borsberry et al., 2001).Afiected animals are usually noted to be in first stage labour (Arthur et al, 1989) but then fail to progress, eventually ceasing their unproductive straining. Careful investigation wiU reveal a spiraHing of the vaginal wall as a hand is inserted. Correction of the torsion is necessary to stand any chance of delivering the calf per fo^iwMm. Various methods to achieve this are described, all involving rotating either the uterus within the cow or the cow around the uterus (Arthur et al, 1989), with the method chosen depending on the exact circumstances in each case (whether, for example, the affected animal is standing or recumbent and whether the cervix is fuUy or only partially occluded) and operator preference. Occasionally, if correction of the torsion proves impossible, a caesarean delivery may, of necessity, be performed but in such cases compHcations due to the oedematous nature of the uterine wall should be anticipated (Baker, 1988, Borsberry et al, 2001).
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