Vet Obst Lecture 9 Obstetrical Operations
Vet Obst Lecture 9 Obstetrical Operations
Vet Obst Lecture 9 Obstetrical Operations
ANIMALS
Prof G N PUROHIT
Head, Department of Veterinary Gynecology and Obstetrics,
College of Veterinary and Animal Science, Rajasthan University
of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Bikaner, Rajasthan, India
Normal Birth posture
OBSTETRICAL OPERATIONS
1.Uterine inertia
2. Subsequent to epidural anaesthesia
3. Large fetuses
4. Small birth canal in primipara
5. Posterior presentation
6. To avoid caesarean section.
Maximum force 2-3 persons
• The force should be applied in an arc fashion first
downwards and then in a straight manner.
• Traction should be steady without jerks.
• Traction is seldom required in the mare if the fetus is in
normal disposition.
• The possibility of uterine torsion should be ruled out
before traction and traction should be applied with care in
the dairy goat as the birth canal is very fragile.
• In the bitch a vectis, snare and fingers can be used for
applying traction. Calf pullers can be used for applying
traction.
Forced Extraction
Ropes, chains, Calf Puller
Sufficient lubrication
Whelping Forceps
Vectis Snare and
forceps
Identifying the fore and
hind limbs by joints and
direction of hoof
• Fetotomy: is defined as those operations performed on the fetus for the
purpose of reducing its size by either division or removal of certain of its parts
for its vaginal delivery. Fetotomy can be either partial (only some of the portions
removed) or total (complete fetus divided into many parts). A fetotomy can be
performed under the following circumstances to save the life of the dam:
• The fetus is dead.
• The fetus is emphysematous, which decreases the survival rate after a C-section.
• The fetus is too big to be delivered or the dam’s pelvis is too narrow (i.e., feto-
maternal disproportion/size mismatch).
• The fetus has an abnormality that will not allow it to be delivered (such as
schistosomus reflexus]; perosomus horridus; or perosomus elumbis]).
• The fetus and the dam are in a hip-lock that cannot be corrected by fetal
rotation.
• In all cases, there must be sufficient space to perform the cuts.
Advantages of fetotomy:
In assisted vaginal delivery, the mare is aware and assisted to a small or large
degree for vaginal delivery of an intact foal within 10-15 minutes. If resolution
takes longer than 10-15 minutes, the obstetrician should consider the
alternatives for correction of the dystocia. For assisted vaginal delivery the
following points must be kept in mind:
Assist when the mare is lying down. If mare is foaling in standing position, the foals
umbilical cord may rupture prematurely resulting in tissue hypoxia. However, for
repositioning of the foal, the mare must be standing.
Once the thorax of fetus is delivered traction should stop.
Never apply traction on a fetus with fetal maldisposition.
Pull fetus in a downward arc, one leg at a time to reduce the width of shoulders.
Controlled Vaginal Delivery:
Controlled vaginal delivery employs general anaesthesia and hoisting the
mare’s hindquarters upwards. The uterine relaxation and effects of gravity
assist in fetal repulsion and manipulation.
The position and posture of the fetus is determined, and the fetus is then
repelled and repositioned to allow vaginal delivery.
Manipulations must be gentle and plenty of lubrication must be used to help
delivery.
When the head and distal forelimbs come out in the birth canal, the mare
should be lowered into lateral recumbency and traction must be applied to
the foal until delivery. The umbilical cord must be clamped and cut. The
mare must be placed on a thick mat for recovery.
If the foal cannot be delivered within 15 minutes a fetotomy (if the foal is
dead) or caesarean section (if foal is live) should be performed. Moreover,
the option to perform a fetotomy may be limited if manipulations before
presentation of the mare have already inflicted severe trauma.
Controlled Vaginal Delivery
Fetotomy is dangerous in the mare
• Tranquilizers with epidural anesthesia is suggested