ANTE PARTUM VAGINAL PROLAPSE 105 



ANTE-PARTUM VAGINAL PROLAPSE 



This affection is not rare in dairy practice. 



It occurs only in cows which have given birth to 

 several calves; never (or exceedingly rarely) in heif- 

 ers. 



The condition occurs usually in a very typical man- 

 ner, the only variation in a given number of cases be- 

 ing the extent to which the vagina protrudes outside 

 the vulva. This varies from a mass the size of an 

 orange, consisting of the vaginal floor, to complete 

 eversion of the vagina as far as the cervix or os uteri. 



The trouble first makes its appearance as a rounded, 

 pinkish mass which can be seen forcing itself between 

 the lips of the vulva when the cow is lying down. 

 When the cow is standing the mass falls back into nor- 

 mal position and can no longer be seen; nor is it pos- 

 sible, with the cow in the standing position, to detect 

 the abnormality at this stage by vaginal examination. 



In some cases the condition does not change much, 

 remaining as a small protrusion of the vaginal floor, 

 that is visible only when the cow lies down. It is 

 terminated with parturition. In other instances, how- 

 ever, the case gradually increases in severity, the 

 mass which protrudes slowly assumes greater dimen- 

 sions; until towards the approach of parturition it 

 causes some concern. From contact with the floor or 

 edge of the gutter the mass becomes eroded in places. 

 This causes the entire vaginal mucosa to become the 

 seat of a low-grade inflammation. The eroded surfaces 

 have been converted into foul-smelling ulcers, with 

 the result that the cow strains frequently so that the 

 mass now makes its appearance outside the vulva even 

 when the cow is standing. If the cow does not give 



