UTERINE PROLAPSE
IN ONE OF THE
JOHANNESBURG ZOO
WATER BUFFALO
SEP 2021 – APR 2023
UTERINE PROLAPSE IN WATER BUFFALO OF JHB ZOO
STUDY CONDUCTED MARCH - APRIL 2023
OVER VIEW
Uterine prolapse is a true emergency, and a prompt treatment is required to preserve the life
and future reproductive potential of the affected animal while it may lead to death if not
attended quickly.
The prolapse put the cow at risk of shock or death by blood loss and that’s why it requires a
prompt treatment. Uterine prolapse may be incomplete or complete. An incomplete uterine
prolapse is when the uterus is partly sagging into the vagina. A complete uterine prolapse is
when the uterus falls far down that some tissue protrudes outside the vagina.
Prolapse of the uterus occurs immediately after or within several hours of parturition, when
the cervix is open and uterus lacks tone.
This article is inspired by one of the water buffalo big cow (Blacky) which had a complete
uterine prolapse in 29 September 2021 after she had given birth on the 17 of Sep 2021. Having
that incident on her I, Fanele Thethwayo and Thabo Motaung we then noticed that this cow
has missed its pregnancy in the year 2022 which is so strange as they usually give birth every
year. We noticed that with Suger Rose, the other cow which has give birth twice already in 17
Feb 2022 and 02 Feb 2023. While Blacky has nothing to show off, not conceiving (becoming
pregnant).
WHAT IS A UTERINE PROLAPSE?
Uterine prolapse occurs when the uterus sags or slips OFF from its normal position into the vagina
(birth canal).
WHAT IS THE OBJECTION?
We want to know the fertility status of (Blacky), one of the cow in the of herd of Johannesburg Zoo
water buffalos. This is after she had uterine prolapse in September 29 2021, so now we are doing this
study to see if is she’s still capable of conceiving or not(FETILE or INFERTILE) as we feel that she missed
her turns of giving birth few times now.
UTERINE PROLAPSE MAY BE CATERGORIZED INTO STAGES OR GRADES
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Grade 1: intermittent prolapse; often visible only when recumbent, vaginal tissues may
appear normal
Grade2: continuous acute prolapse of vaginal tissue
Grade3: continuous prolapse of vagina, bladder, and cervix
Grade4: chronic prolapse of either grade 2 or 3 with resultant trauma, infection, or necrosis.
WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF UTERINE PROLAPSE?
The uterine prolapse that still on an early stage may not show any symptoms unless we run the check
up which is not easy. But moderate to severe prolapse may be seen by naked eyes as they may be
hanging out the vagina.
WHAT ARE RISKS FACTORS?
Risks factors are that the affected animal may lose its fertility potentiality hence it needs veterinary
attention repositioning the uterus properly. Various predisposing factors have been suggested for
uterine prolapse in cows, i.e. hypocalcaemia, prolonged dystocia, fetal oversize, retained fetal
membranes, chronic disease and paresis. Deficiencies of serum calcium, magnesium and phosphorus
during gestation and the postpartum period have been found to be significantly associated with
occurrence of the uterine prolapse in buffalos.
The uterus can easily be infected as it get bruises easily and cause the animal to delay to rebreed.
WHAT ARE PREVENTIONS?
There is no way to completely prevent uterine prolapse but we can reduce the risk by encouraging the
cows to stand up and move around as soon as possible after calving. This is for helping the cow to have
its uterus move back to its normal position (abdominal cavity) which straightens out the uterine horn.
OUR HYPOTHESIS
I, Fanele T and Mr T Motaung we suspect that she may have had a problem when her uterus was
restored which may be the reason for her not conceiving again. As we hypothesis on the above
statement we are also looking into giving her more time for her to be able to be making something if
she can still conceive as from now April 2023 until April 2024. If we reach April 2024 with her hasn’t
given birth or conceive or maybe have miscarriage. Then that will mean that she’s now infertile.
The end……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
Disclaimer:
This article is not to be shared to anyone or used for educational purpose unless permission granted by
the owner/s, if you do, you will be doing so at your own risk and you shall be liable.
References
Johannesburg zoo (water buffalo enclosure) Sep 2021 to Apr 2023).
Fanele Thethwayo
Thabo Motaung