Management of fetal mummification in a cow

Fetal mummification is a late gestational problem in bovines with incidence rate of less than 2%. A three and half year old Jersey cow was presented to Veterinary Clinical Complex, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel University of Agriculture and Technology, Meerut with the history of prolonged gestation period. No sign of parturition was displayed by the cow even after completion of duration of normal gestation period. Per-rectal examination of the cow revealed presence of a mummified fetus in the uterus. The mummified fetus was delivered by laparohysterotomy after attempts to dilate cervix and deliver the fetus with PGF2alpha and diethylstilbestrol therapy failed. Animal was given post-operative fluid, antibiotics and other supportive therapy for 7 days and was discharged following uneventful recovery.