Volume 22 • Issue 03 • 2018
Figure 17: Mycotic dermatitis - facial Figure 18: Fetal heart failure with abdominal distention (arrow).
Mycotic dermatitis (figure 16 & 17)- cutaneous
lesions have a site predilection for periorbital
areas, shoulders, back and flanks. Occasionally
the fetus may aspirate organisms from the
amniotic fluid initiating a bronchopneumonia.
Endometrial lesions are less severe than in the
placenta and usually long-term fertility of these
animals is not affected. Fetal heart failure (figure 18) is associated
with late stage abortion with gross external
abnormalities of abdominal distention (ascites),
with a fluid wave elicited on abdominal
palpation. Primary differentials would include
micronutrient imbalances, infectious myocarditis
and mycotoxins. These findings would indicate
that the fetus needs to be closely inspected for
evidence of cardiac failure during the dissection
and internal examination of the fetus.
CPD
AC/1942/18
1. Which of the following disease-causing
agents would not be considered an
occupational hazard for veterinarians
performing abortion investigations?
a. Brucella abortus.
b. Coxiella burnetti (Q-fever).
c. Listeria monocytogenies.
d. Rift Valley fever virus.
e. Bovine viral diarrhea virus.
2. Which of the following is considered the
most common cause of meconium staining of
the fetus?
a. Fetal pyrexia.
b. Fetal hypoxia.
c. Pyrexia of the dam.
d. Endometritis.
e. Placentitis.
SMS code: a38356
3. Which of the following statements about
hemoparasite induced abortion would be
considered false?
a. Abortion may occur following invasion of the
fetus by hemoparasites.
b. Maternal pyrexia does not cause abortion.
c. Babesiosis is a significant cause of abortion in
Africa.
d. Anaplasmosis is a significant cause of abortion
in Africa.
e. Invasion of the fetus by hemoparasites induces
fetal pathology.
4. Which of the following non-infectious
causes of abortion can be associated with
fetal arthrogryposis (contracted tendons)?
a. Selenium deficiency.
b. Mycotoxins.
c. Prussic acid poisoning.
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