Perspectives of fetal dystocia in cattle and buffalo

Abstract

We review the causes of fetal dystocia in cows and buffalo. Two fetal causes are distinct fetal oversize and fetal abnormalities. Fetal oversize is common in heifers, cows of beef cattle breeds, prolonged gestations, increased calf birth weight, male calves and perinatal fetal death with resultant emphysema. Fetal abnormalities include monsters, fetal diseases and fetal maldispositions, and it is difficult to deliver such fetuses because of their altered shape. Although monsters are rare in cattle, a large number of monstrosities have been reported in river buffalo; yet also here, overall incidence is low. Diseases of the fetus resulting in dystocia include hydrocephalus, ascites, anasarca and hydrothorax. The most common cause of dystocia in cattle seems to be fetal maldispositions, of which limb flexion and head deviation appear to be the most frequent. We provide a brief description of the management of dystocia from different causes in cattle and buffalo. A case analysis of 192 and 112 dystocia in cattle and buffalo, respectively, at our referral center revealed that dystocia is significantly higher (P<0.05) in first and second parity cows and buffalo, and that dystocia of fetal origin is common in cows (65.62%) but less frequent (40.17%) in buffalo. In buffalo, the single biggest cause of dystocia was uterine torsion (53.57%). Fetal survival was significantly (P<0.05) higher both in cows and buffalo when delivery was completed within 12 h of second stage of labor.

Cesarean section in Murrah buffaloe

“…Cesarean sections were performed under local infiltration analgesia using 2% lignocaine HCl and sedation with triflupromazine in present study. Peritonitis is the most frequent postoperative complication that follows bubaline cesarean section and usually appear within 72 h of the operation (Purohit et al, 2012). Peritonitis was not found in any case of present study.…”

“…Similar findings were found in present study. Preoperative preparation included administration of sufficient fluid replacements, antibiotics and corticosteroids as described by Purohit et al, 2012. The principal operative site is left paramedian approach lateral and parallel to milk vein (Purohit et al, 2013).…”

Retrospective Study on the Fetal Maldispositions as a cause of Dystocia in Egyptian Buffalo-Cows: Strategic Plan to Improve

“…Fetal dystocia was common in buffalo-cow comprising 60.957% of total cases presented, whereas maternal causes constituted 39.043 % of total cases. Nearly similar observations were recorded by Buchoo et al, 10 and Khammas & AlHamedawi et al 11 However, this is disagreement with that reported by Purohit et al, 12 who recorded that in buffalo, maternal dystocia was common (59.82%) compared to fetal dystocia (40.17%). Most of the buffalo-cows presented were in their first parity (24.31%) as well as, we noticed that, 31.12% in their second parity and 44.57% in their third and more parity.…”

Per Vaginal Delivery of Schistosmus Reflexus Monster Fetus by Cervicotomy in a Cow

“…It is an anomaly of the trunk where the thoracic and abdominal cavities are incomplete ventrally so that the viscera are exposed (Noakes et al, 2001). In general, this defect is identified at the time of normal parturition as a cause of dystocia and is delivered per vaginum by traction or by fetotomy or by cesarean section (Azawi et al, 2012 andPurohit et al, 2012). The present report documents a successful per vaginal management of a schistosomus reflexus fetal monster by cervicotomy in a Jersey crossbred cow.…”