Survival Rate of Cows Undergoing Caesarean Section in Field Conditions: A Retrospective Study
Sagar Sahoo *
Fisheries and Animal Resources Development Department, Govt. of Odisha, Veterinary Dispensary, Begunia, Khordha, Odisha – 752062, India
Biswadeep Jena
Department of Veterinary Surgery & Radiology, College of Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry, OUAT, Bhubaneswar, Odisha – 751001, India.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Background: Bovine caesarean section is used to manage dystocia when assisted vaginal delivery is not feasible.
Aim: The present retrospective study was conducted to determine the survival rate of cows with dystocia that underwent caesarean section.
Materials & Methods: In toto, forty-eight cows were included in the study, and all were presented to the Veterinary Dispensary, Begunia, Dist. – Khordha, Odisha. The cows were categorised into three groups based on the interval between diagnosis and presentation of the dystocia case to the dispensary. Cases in Group – I (Elective group, n = 14) were presented within 12 hours; those in Group – II (Emergency group, n = 18) were presented between 12 and 36 hours; and those in Group – III (Emphysematous group, n = 16) were presented beyond 36 hours. Follow-up was performed until the removal of external sutures on the 14th post-operative day.
Results: The dam survival rates for the three groups were evaluated and found to be 100%, 89%, and 25% for Groups I, II, and III, respectively.
Conclusion: Client education is required to facilitate timely decisions to present cases for caesarean section to a veterinary dispensary/hospital, which can save the lives of both dam and calf.
Keywords: Bovine caesarean section, dystocia, dam survival, parturition-to-surgery interval, field conditions, primiparity, foetal viability, emphysematous foetus, postoperative survival, obstetric surgery