Trans Rectal Ultrasonographic Monitoring of Fetal Maceration in a Buffalo Heifer-A Case Report

A primiparous buffalo of 5 years age was presented with the history of 9 months pregnancy showing fetid reddish grey vulval discharge. Transrectal ultrasonography with 7.5 MHz linear array transducer revealed hyper echoic fetal contents. Per-rectal examination revealed partially dilated cervix with a hard compact mass like structure. Presuming that it was a mummified fetus, evacuation of uterus was induced with 25 mg of Dinoprost tromethamine (Lutalyse) and 20 mg Dexamethasone intramuscularly. The animal voided the reddish grey pus discharge completely with in 3 days. The protruding mass of fetal bones was completely removed with sufficient lubrication pervaginally under epidural anaesthesia. Since the prognosis was poor, the owner was advised not to rebreed the animal for atleast 3-4 months after complete removal of macerated fetus.