Transverse lie with prolapsed arm in a female red‐howler monkey (Alouatta guariba clamitans –Cabrera, 1940)

Abstract

This study focuses on a case of a red-howler monkey (Alouatta guariba clamitans) which was found with a fetus in a transverse lie position with a prolapsed arm. The topic of this research is well justified as there are no data on this condition involving this type of non-human primate in literature. In this study, a red-howler monkey was observed by locals pulling at her pelvic region for 3 days near a farm. On the third day, the monkey was found lying on the ground at which point she offered no resistance when approached. The environmental police took the monkey to receive medical attention. During the physical examination, it was quickly observed that the monkey was pregnant; the right forelimb of the fetus was exposed from the vulva. An ultrasound revealed a non-viable fetus, and due to the severe weakness of the mother, we opted for euthanasia. During the necropsy, not only was the fetus found macerated but it was also in a transverse lie position with a prolapsed arm and presented no external or internal injuries consistent with trauma.

Pregnancy complications in wild vervet monkeys in an urban mosaic landscape

“…Dystocia is influenced by the number of previous births, gestational age, and foetus birth weight (Stockinger et al., 2011). The displacement of body parts obstructed in the birth canal leads to the asphyxiation of the foetus during parturition (Daneze et al., 2016). Despite medical assistance, no successful births or neonates survived the pregnancy complications reported in this study.…”

“…Information on the birth processes of nonhuman primates is primarily limited to captive populations (Trevathan, 2015). Previous reports of dystocia have been documented in captive nonhuman primates: “she monkey” (Pandey et al., 2016), red‐howler monkey ( Alouatta guariba clamitans ) (Daneze et al., 2016), pigtailed macaque ( Macaca nemestrina ) (Stockinger et al., 2011), and squirrel monkey ( Saimiri scireus ) (Favoretto et al., 2018). The study of pregnancy complications such as dystocia and other birthing complications during parturition in the Cercopithecus genus is limited, emphasising the need for comprehensive investigations into the factors influencing dystocia in wild primate populations.…”