Bovis ISSN 2398-2993
Cesarean section
Synonym(s): Surgical management of dystocia in cattle.
Contributor(s): Paul Wood
, Adam Dunstan-Martin
Introduction
- This article describes the technique used to perform a cesarean section and discusses the decision making processes involved in determining when a cesarean section is appropriate.
- Please be aware that this information is designed to be a useful guide for the veterinary surgeon, but is not prescriptive. The decision making process will very much depend on the individual case and its unique circumstances.
Uses
Maternal dystocia
- Expulsive defect:
- Myometrial defect:
- Primary uterine inertia (inability of the uterus to contract sufficiently).
- Secondary uterine inertia (decreased effectiveness of uterine contractions as parturition progresses).
- Defective or inadeqate straining.
- Inadequate birth canal:
- Failure of cervix, soft tissues or ligaments to relax.
- Uterine torsion; definitely if complete torsion (>2700).
- Obstruction of birth canal, eg pelvic fracture.
- Inadequate pelvic diameter*
Fetal dystocia
- Fetal oversize:
- Normal but large*.
- Defective or monster calf.
- Faulty disposition or alignment:
- Abnormal presentation.
- Abnormal position.
- Abnormal posture.
- Fetal death.
- Signs of fetal distress.
*these two factors combined or separately can be described as fetomaternal disproportion.
Elective cesarean
- History of previous dystocia or cesarean.
- Predictable dystocia due to breed predisposition, eg Belgian blue cattle Belgian blue cattle or misalliance, eg heifer too small when mated.
Advantages of performing the procedure
- Increased chance of a live calf if intervention is performed early.
- Reduced chance of secondary complications to cow, eg peripheral neuropathies.
Disadvantages
- Cost.
- Risk of surgical and post-surgical complications in the dam, including death.
- May reduce subsequent fertility of dam.
- Anesthetic depression of calf (if sedative used).
Requirements
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Preparation
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Procedure
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Aftercare
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Outcomes
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Prognosis
- Generally good but heavily dependent on case selection.
- Dependent on individual animal, farm and surgeon.
Further Reading
Publications
Refereed Papers
- Recent references from PubMed and VetMed Resource.
- Hendrickson D A & Baird A N (2013) Cesarean Section in the Cow. In: Turner and McIlwraith’s Techniques in Large Animal Surgery. Wiley Blackwell. pp 258-265.
- Lyons N A et al (2013) Aspects of bovine caesarean section associated with calf mortality, dam survival and subsequent fertility. The Veterinary Journal PubMed.
- Newman K D (2008) Bovine caesarean section in the field. Veterinary Clin of North America: Food Anim Pract 24, 273-293 PubMed.
- Schultz L G et al (2008) Surgical approaches for caesarean section in cattle. Canad Vet Jour 49, 565-568 PubMed.
- Kolkman I et al (2007) Protocol of the caesarean section as performed in daily bovine practice in Belgium. Reproduction in Domestic Animals 42, 583-589 PubMed.
- Newman K D & Anderson D E (2005) Cesarean section in cows. Veterinary Clinics of North America: Food Animal Practice 21, 73-100.
- Fubini S L & Ducharme N G (2004) Cesarean Section. In: Farm Animal Surgery. Ed: Fathman E M. Saunders. pp 382-387.
- Noakes D E, Parkinson T J & England G C W (2001) The caesarean operation. In: Arthur’s Veterinary Reproduction and Obstetrics. pp 341-363.
- Dawson J C & Murray R (1992) Caesarean sections in cattle attended by a practice in Cheshire. Veterinary Record 131, 525-527 PubMed.
- Barkema H W et al (1992) Fertility, production and culling following caesarean section in dairy cattle. Theriogenology 38, 589-599 PubMed.
- Cattell J H & Dobson H (1990) A survey of caesarean operations on cattle in general veterinary practice. Veterinary Record 127, 395-399 PubMed.