The document provides information on procedures for handling dystocia or difficult births in animals. It discusses obtaining a history of the case, performing a general and specific examination of the animal, using various obstetric equipment and restraint techniques, and outlines different treatment approaches for dystocia including repulsion, rotation, forced extraction, fetotomy, and caesarean section. The goals of any intervention are to ensure the survival of both the cow and calf and maintain the cow's future fertility.

1. Procedure preliminary to handleProcedure preliminary to handle
dystociadystocia
PresentedPresented
byby
Dr ILIYASU, D., (DVM, MSc)Dr ILIYASU, D., (DVM, MSc)
Department of Theriogenology andDepartment of Theriogenology and
ProductionProduction
Faculty of Veterinary MedicineFaculty of Veterinary Medicine
University of Ilorin.University of Ilorin.
Course title Veterinary GynaecologyCourse title Veterinary Gynaecology
and Obstetricsand Obstetrics
Course Code VST 507Course Code VST 507

2. IntroductionIntroduction
 It is important to have the history that willIt is important to have the history that will
guide the clinician to arrive on reliableguide the clinician to arrive on reliable
diagnosis and achieved desired treatment.diagnosis and achieved desired treatment.
 The design of the physical facilities shouldThe design of the physical facilities should
allow easy entry of animals and minimizeallow easy entry of animals and minimize
the stress of handling and restraint duringthe stress of handling and restraint during
assistance.assistance.

3. History of the caseHistory of the case
 Asked the breeding records of the animalsAsked the breeding records of the animals
identify the stage of parturition and relate itidentify the stage of parturition and relate it
to the dystocia.to the dystocia.
 History of any previous parturition and ofHistory of any previous parturition and of
dystocia, infertility, metabolic disease,dystocia, infertility, metabolic disease,
genital tract disease.genital tract disease.
 The clinician should review the history ofThe clinician should review the history of
previous births and the general healthprevious births and the general health
record of the patient.record of the patient.

4.  Previous occurrence.Previous occurrence.
 Gestation length.Gestation length.
 Progress of the case.Progress of the case.

5. General ExaminationGeneral Examination
 This should be thorough and comprehensiveThis should be thorough and comprehensive
assessment of the animal’s health status andassessment of the animal’s health status and
signs of any adverse effects of parturition.signs of any adverse effects of parturition.
 Physical condition of the damPhysical condition of the dam
 Degree of abdominal distensionDegree of abdominal distension
 Character of vaginal dischargeCharacter of vaginal discharge
 Character and amount of fetal membranesCharacter and amount of fetal membranes
showingshowing
 Fetal parts showingFetal parts showing

6. Specific ExaminationSpecific Examination
 Facilities – Require in large Animals:Facilities – Require in large Animals:
 Animals caught and restrained.Animals caught and restrained.
 Good lightingGood lighting
 Protection from the weatherProtection from the weather
 Warm waterWarm water
 Clean area to work in.Clean area to work in.
 Inspect:Inspect:
 Inspection of vulva, vagina and fetus.Inspection of vulva, vagina and fetus.

7. Obstetrics equipment andObstetrics equipment and
anaesthesiaanaesthesia
 Obstetrics equipment’sObstetrics equipment’s
are of different types :-are of different types :-
 Obstetric hook/obstetricObstetric hook/obstetric
eye hookeye hook
 Obstetric chain-chromeObstetric chain-chrome
platedplated
 Crutch repellerCrutch repeller
 Vaginal speculumVaginal speculum
 RopesRopes

8. Obstetrics equipment andObstetrics equipment and
anaesthesiaanaesthesia
 AnesthesiaAnesthesia
 SedationSedation
 Epidural anesthesiaEpidural anesthesia
 Reginal anaesthesiaReginal anaesthesia
 General anaesthesiaGeneral anaesthesia

9. Restraint and prognosisRestraint and prognosis
 Restraint is necessaryRestraint is necessary
for proper evaluation offor proper evaluation of
the animal health.the animal health.
 This can be achievedThis can be achieved
by physical restraintby physical restraint
that involves the use ofthat involves the use of
ropes, chute andropes, chute and
crushes.crushes.
 while the chemicalwhile the chemical
restraints involves therestraints involves the
use of anaesthesia anduse of anaesthesia and
sedatives.sedatives.
 Prognosis is thePrognosis is the
determination ofdetermination of
treatment outcome.treatment outcome.
 The prognosis usuallyThe prognosis usually
depends on the:depends on the:
 Condition of the damCondition of the dam
 Length of dystociaLength of dystocia
 Condition of theCondition of the
reproductive tractreproductive tract

10. MutationMutation
 Repulsion of the fetus is possible only to a smallerRepulsion of the fetus is possible only to a smaller
degree that when cases are presented early.degree that when cases are presented early.
 If the animal receives epidural anesthesia,If the animal receives epidural anesthesia,
repulsion can be easily done.repulsion can be easily done.
 However, in cases presented after a delay ofHowever, in cases presented after a delay of
more than 24 hours (which is usual) repulsion ismore than 24 hours (which is usual) repulsion is
extremely difficult.extremely difficult.
 Partial rotation (45˚ to 90˚) of the fetus has beenPartial rotation (45˚ to 90˚) of the fetus has been
described to be possible to correct shoulder lockdescribed to be possible to correct shoulder lock
(in anterior presentation) and hip lock (in posterior(in anterior presentation) and hip lock (in posterior
presentation) but is difficult in cases presentedpresentation) but is difficult in cases presented
after delay.after delay.

11. Forced ExtractionForced Extraction
 Pulling on a calf should only be donePulling on a calf should only be done
when the normal presentation, positionwhen the normal presentation, position
and posture of the calf are observed.and posture of the calf are observed.
 The force to be applied should be minimalThe force to be applied should be minimal
always to avoid complete removal of thealways to avoid complete removal of the
reproductive organs.reproductive organs.

12. FetotomyFetotomy
 Reduces the size of the fetus by dividing it or removing someReduces the size of the fetus by dividing it or removing some
of its parts.of its parts.
 Most useful on a dead or deformed fetus when mutation fails.Most useful on a dead or deformed fetus when mutation fails.
 Also used when a dead or deformed fetus is too large for theAlso used when a dead or deformed fetus is too large for the
birth canal (sometimes requires a complete fetotomy) .birth canal (sometimes requires a complete fetotomy) .
 The birth canal and uterus must be in satisfactory conditionThe birth canal and uterus must be in satisfactory condition
Epidural anesthetic required for cows and mare.Epidural anesthetic required for cows and mare.

13. Indications for CSIndications for CS
 Fetomaternal or fetopelvic disproportion (eitherFetomaternal or fetopelvic disproportion (either
relative or absolute fetal oversize)relative or absolute fetal oversize)
 Incomplete dilatation or induration of the cervixIncomplete dilatation or induration of the cervix
 Uterine torsion that cannot be corrected otherwiseUterine torsion that cannot be corrected otherwise
 Fetal monstersFetal monsters
 Fetal monstersFetal monsters
 Faulty fetal disposition (presentation, position orFaulty fetal disposition (presentation, position or
posture)posture)
 Fetal emphysema.Fetal emphysema.

14. Goals for CSGoals for CS
 There are three main goals for CS:There are three main goals for CS:
 Survival of the cowSurvival of the cow
 Survival of the calfSurvival of the calf
 Maintenance of fertility.Maintenance of fertility.

15.  Thank you for listeningThank you for listening