Bovine caesarean section (C‐section) is a relatively frequent surgical procedure in farm animal practice. This article describes on‐farm operations, rather than those undertaken in hospital conditions. It covers the conventional C‐section in cattle, where a normal delivery is not possible. The aim is to guide new graduates and those who undertake a small amount of farm animal work through the various stages. A second article, to be published in a subsequent issue of In Practice, will cover complications that can occur before, during and after surgery, as well as describing the more unusual cases that can test even the most experienced surgeons.
An article in the November/December issue of In Practice explained how to perform a bovine caesarean section on farm (In Practice, November/December 2013, vol 35, pp 574-588). This, the second article in this two-part series, considers ‘difficult’ bovine caesareans. Areas covered include: handling temperamental/dangerous cows; additional pre/perioperative medication; complications during surgery; fetid and emphysematous fetuses; suturing a torn or friable uterus; and postoperative care of the sick cow.
Regional anaesthesia of the head in cattle is not new. Due to the cost of inhaled anaesthetic agents and the risk of aspiration pneumonia, general anaesthesia is rarely undertaken on adult bovines. With the exception of the cornual nerve block for disbudding and dehorning, techniques to desensitise areas of the head are generally not routinely undertaken by clinicians. These blocks can initially appear daunting but this article aims to assist by providing a practical guide on how to undertake the blocks and the pre and perioperative preparation so as to minimise the stress to both patient and surgeon.
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