Clinical Management of Accidents of Gestation in Cattle

The overall incidence of fetal mummification varies from 0.43 to 1.8% of pregnancies but it can be as high as 3-4% in feedlot heifers due to incomplete regression of corpus luteum following induced abortion. Mummification of the fetus can only occur after calcification of the fetal skeleton, therefore, fetal death followed by mummification may occur anywhere from 3rd to 8th month of gestation; most cases occur during 4-6 months. Causes may include torsion of the umbilical cord, Campylobacter fetus, fungal infection, leptospirosis, Infectious Bovine Rhinotracheitis and Bovine Viral Diarrhea, etc. These infectious agents have in common the fact they do not induce placentitis and endometrial release of prostaglandin F2alpha; and are not pyogenic. Fetal mummification may be seen in ewes that become infected with toxoplasmosis during early gestation ...