Student Case Presentation
Hydrops Amnion in an Embryo Transfer Pregnancy
| Date/Time: |
8/27/2026 Poster 04
|
| Presenter: |
Hayden Holwick |
| Veterinary School: |
TAM |
Abstract:
A 5-year-old Charolais cow, 7 months pregnant via embryo transfer, presented for severe swelling of the ventral abdomen which progressed over the last 72 hours. She was a four-time multiparous surrogate from a show cattle breeding operation with no history of dystocia or gestational abnormalities. Physical examination abnormalities included tachycardia, tachypnea, increased respiratory effort, decreased weak rumen contractions, and a distended abdomen. From behind the abdominal contour was pear shaped, with asymmetry in the left inguinal area. Differential diagnoses at this point included a partially ruptured pre-pubic tendon, uroabdomen, ascites, diffuse peritonitis, hydrops allantois, and hydrops amnion. Rectal palpation revealed a distended fluid filled uterus and small cotyledons; however, fetal structures were not appreciated. Transrectal and transabdominal ultrasound revealed a large fluid filled uterus and detectable cotyledons, without appreciable fetal structures. Definitively differentiating hydrops amnion from hydrops allantois is difficult by rectal palpation and ultrasonography. However, our ability to detect cotyledons on rectal palpation and ultrasonography, even in the absence of palpating or visualizing a fetus, made hydrops amnion the most likely diagnosis. Due to poor prognosis of the fetus, the owner elected euthanasia and subsequent necropsy. Necropsy findings included a ruptured left prepubic tendon and many gross fetal defects including a thickened right ventricle, edematous kidneys, hydronephrosis, and an enlarged liver with parenchymatous cysts. This case required a decision as to whether the fetus would be viable at term, or not. In hydrops allantois the fetus is normal, and due to the value of this fetus the owner would have elected conservative management to prolong the pregnancy as long as feasibly and humanely possible to increase the chances of delivery of a live calf. Hydrops amnion is indicative of fetal abnormalities, therefore, in this case the owner chose euthanasia.
