Fetal mummification in the major domestic species: current perspectives on causes and management

Figures & data

Table 1 Reported causes of fetal mummification in the major domestic species

Species	Causes (infectious or noninfectious)
Cattle	BVD infection, trichomoniasis^Citation1
Horses	Twinning^Citation4
Swine	Parvoviral infection^Citation5
Dogs	Canine herpesvirus infection^Citation6
Cats	Uterine torsion/ectopic pregnancy^Citation6
Sheep/goat	Toxoplasmosis, Chlamydophila^Citation2,Citation3

Abbreviation: BVD, bovine viral diarrhea.

Table 2 Prevalence of fetal mummification among species, from highest to lowest

Swine > small ruminants (goats and sheep) > cattle > cats and dogs > horses

Note: This order of prevalence is based on the sparse literature for the major domestic species.

Figure 1 Decision tree for clinical approaches to fetal mummification in cows.

Note: Reproduced from Lefebvre RC, Saint-Hilaire E, Morin I, et al. Retrospective case study of fetal mummification in cows that did not respond to prostaglandin F2 treatment. The Canadian Veterinary Journal. 2009;50:71–76.²⁹
Abbreviations: AI, artificial insemination; Ncr, normal conception rate; Ut, uterine; CR, conception rate; ?, unknown; PGF_2α, prostaglandin F_2α; PGE₂: prostaglandineE₂; $, expensive.

Table 3 Infectious agents potentially associated with fetal mummification in swine

1.	Porcine parvovirus (PPV)
2.	Aujeszky’s disease/pseudorabies virus (AD/PRV)
3.	Encephalomyocarditis virus (EMCV)
4.	Erysipelas (bacteria)
5.	Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV)
6.	Porcine circovirus 2 (PCV2)
7.	Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV)
8.	Swine fever virus (SFV; African and classical)
9.	Swine influenza virus (SIV)
10.	Teschovirus

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