Schistosomus reflexus in Cows (Bovis) | Vetlexicon
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Schistosomus reflexus

ISSN 2398-2993

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Synonym(s): Fetal monster, Deformed calf, Inside out calf

Introduction

  • Cause: unknown.
  • Signs: dystocia, usually requiring fetotomy or cesarean resulting in deformed calf with internal organs outside of the body.
  • Diagnosis: appearance of calf is pathognomonic.
  • Treatment: none.
  • Prognosis: hopeless.

Cost considerations

  • Loss of calf.
  • Cost of veterinary treatment for dam, or even loss of dam, as cases usually involve dystocia Dystocia requiring fetotomy Fetotomy or cesarean Cesarean.
  • Risk of delayed return-to-service following dystocia.

Pathogenesis

Etiology

  • Unknown.
  • R P Knight conducted a 20-year study of cases in Australia and concluded that schistosomus reflexus was likely due to a spontaneous defect. This is supported by reports of twins, where one has been affected by schistosomus inversus and one has been a healthy calf (or a freemartin unaffected by schistosomus reflexus).

Diagnosis

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Treatment

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Prevention

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Further Reading

Publications

Refereed papers

  • DEFRA (2021) Disease surveillance in England and Wales. Vet Rec 188 (9), 341-345 PubMed.
  • Laughton K W, Fisher K R, Halina W G & Partlow GD (2005) Schistosomus reflexus syndrome: a heritable defect in ruminants. Anat Histol Embryol 34 (5), 312-318 PubMed.
  • Cavalieri J & Farin P W (1999) Birth of a Holstein freemartin calf co-twinned to a schistosomus reflexus fetus. Theriogenology 52 (5), 815-826 PubMed.
  • Knight R P (1996) The occurrence of schistosomus reflexus in bovine dystocia. Aust Vet J 73 (3), 105-107 PubMed.

Other sources of information

  • Dart A (2022) Congenital and Inherited Anomalies in Animals MSD Manual. Website: www.msdvetmanual.com.