C-Section in Small Ruminants

Occurrence of dystocia Dystocia is relatively uncommon in with a herd goal of fewer than 5 % of birthings requiring assistance. Problem birthings may be defined as failure of transition from stage I to stage II labor or when little to no progress is made for 30 minutes or more after the start of stage II labor. Stage I labor is defined as preparation for fetal expulsion and includes restlessness, decreased appetite, isolation from the herd, preparing a birthing area, and leading up to the early uterine contractions. Stage II labor is defined as fetal expulsion. In other words, uterine contractions up to, including, and completion of delivery of the neonate. Stage III labor is defined as uterine contractions causing expulsion of the placenta and remaining fetal fluids. In small ruminants, dystocia most often is caused by fetal malpositioning, fetal:maternal disproportion, multiple fetuses within the pelvic canal simultaneously, incomplete dilation of the cervix (ringwomb), and uterine inertia but uterine torsion can also occur. Uterine torsion is defined as extreme twisting of the uterus on its long axis. The uterus normally rotates along a 90 degree arch and may intermittently move more than that during uneventful gesttaion. When the gravid (pregnant) uterine horn flips over top of the nongravid uterine horn causing the uterine to twist 270 degrees or more, the torsion is so abnormal that it can not be corrected by the animal and the life of the fetus and dam are at risk. In a study of 110 C-sections performed in sheep and goats, sheep were most commonly admitted to the VMTH for C-section as compared with goats. Pygmy goats were the most likely goat breed to require Csection. Inadequate cervical dilation was the most common reason given for C-section.