Colpotomy in a cow to remove a fetal bone from the uterus

A 5-year, Aberdeen Angus cow was presented to assess a hard/foreign structure that was felt in the uterus via transrectal palpation. Further diagnostics including transrectal ultrasonography were performed; a fetal bone was in the left uterine horn. Removal of the bone through the cervix was unsuccessful. Colpotomy was elected; removed bone was half of a fetal mandible, presumably a remnant from fetal maceration. Uterus was sutured with a simple continuous pattern; the cow was treated with antimicrobials and antiinflammatory drugs and recovery was uneventful. Ovum pick up was performed 5 months after surgery; several oocytes were collected from both ovaries and 6 embryos were obtained via in vitro fertilization. Cow was pregnant 6 months after surgery.