Therapeutic Management of Fetal Mummification in Cow: A Case Report

The occurrence of fetal mummification typically takes place after the formation of the placenta and the fetal ossification process, which happens around the 70th day of gestation. This phenomenon is more commonly observed between the 3rd and 8th months of gestation in ruminant animals such as cattle, buffalo, sheep, and goats. Multiparous and polytocous species like swine have a higher incidence of mummification. In cattle, fetal fluid is reabsorbed, and the fetus becomes surrounded by a viscous, chocolate-colored material. The incidence of mummified fetuses in cattle is relatively low, ranging from 0.13% to 1.8%. This condition can affect both indigenous and exotic cattle breeds. Interestingly, if a cow has experienced fetal mummification in a previous pregnancy, the likelihood of it happening again in subsequent pregnancies increases, with a prevalence rate of around 30%.