Veterinary Practitioner. 7 (1): 31-34.

Dystocia in Cattle and Buffaloes A Retrospective Analysis of 156 cases

G.N. Purohit and J.S.Mehta

Department of Animal Reproduction, Gynaecology and Obstetrics College of Veterinary and Animal Science, Bikaner (Raj.) 334 001 ABSTRACT Clinical cases of dystocia in cattle (n=103) and buffaloes (n=53) presented to the veterinary obstetrics and gynaecology outdoor between 1998 to 2004 were screened. Fetal causes of dystocia were common in cows (64.08%), whereas, maternal causes of dystocia were common (64.2%) in buffaloes. Head deviation and/or limb flexion was the commonest fetal cause of dystocia both in cattle (20.4% and 19.4%) and buffalo (7.5% and 16.9%). A large proportion of animals had dead fetus with resultant fetal emphysema/death when presented. The biggest maternal cause of dystocia was uterine torsion both in buffalo (50.95) and cows (17.5%). Other maternal causes of dystocia included incomplete cervical dilation, uterine inertia (which was more common in cows than in buffaloes) and a narrow pelvis due to previous fractures/exocytosis or congenital. The proportion of uterine torsions that could be corrected by rolling of the dam was 38.8% and 40.74% in cows and buffalos respectively whereas, caesarean section was performed in 61.2% and 59.3% cows and buffaloes respectively. A higher proportion of caesarean sections were done on buffaloes compared to cows whereas, a greater proportion of fetotomies were performed in cows compared to buffaloes. Cervicotomy that was performed only in one cow was considered unsuitable. Key words: Cow, dystocia, fetal, maternal, torsion. Introduction Cattle and buffalo are two animal species in which the incidence of dystocia is maximum compared to all other farm animals. A higher incidence of

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fetal dystocia has been recorded for both cows (Tutt, 1944, Singla et al., 1990) and buffaloes (Singla and Sharma, 1992, Phogat et al., 1992). The incidence of dystocia in relation to season, age breed, parity and sex of fetus has been recorded in cows (Verma and Mishra, 1984, Singla et al., 1990) and buffaloes (Phogat et al., 1992, Singla and Sharma, 1992, Khammas and Al-Hamedwi, 1994). This report analyses the dystocia in 156 referral cases presented to this referral centre. Material and Methods Retrospective study was done on cows (n=103) and buffaloes (n=53) presented to the referral obstetric centre between 1998 to 2004. Medical records were reviewed and information was obtained on parity of animal, duration of illness, type of dystocia, therapies/corrective procedures followed, sex and viability of calves born and future fertility of the animal. Animals in poor general conditions were treated for general condition before dystocia handling. Dystocia handling was done by manual correction, fetotomy with manual correction, caesarean section, cervicotomy or chemotherapy. Chemotherapy in cases with incomplete cervical dilation comprised of administration of PGF2 and dexamethosone and/or a tocolytic drug isoxsuprine HCl. Caesarean section was done by left oblique venterolateral incision described previously (Verma et al., 1974). In cases of rupture of uterus emergency laparohysterotomy was done. Other methods of dystocia included rolling of the animal in cases of uterine torsion. Results and Discussion Except 2 cows and 1 buffalo, all the animals were presented to the referral centre 12 to 24 hours after onset of second stage of labor. A total of 22 cows and 16 buffaloes were brought to this clinic from distant places for reference. Cause of Dystocia

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The proportion of different causes of dystocia diagnosed in the referral cases is presented in Table-1. Fetal causes were predominant in cows (64.08%) whereas, maternal causes were common in buffalos (64.2%). The only fetal dropsical condition recorded was fetal ascites, whereas, the monster encountered was Schistosoma reflexus. Fetal emphysema was found in 15.5% of cows and 5.7% of buffaloes. The commonest fetal cause of dystocia was head/neck deviation and limb flexion of the fetus both in cows and buffaloes, whereas, the predominating maternal cause of dystocia was uterine torsion both in cows and buffaloes, although uterine torsion was much more common in buffaloes (50.9%) compared to cows. Uterine rupture was seen in 1 cow (Fig. 1) and 1 buffalo. These animals were administered 40-60 IU of oxytocin by the treating veterinarian for therapy of incomplete cervical dilation. In many previous studies at referral centres, a higher incidence of fetal dystocias have been described in cattle (Tutt, 1944, Singla et al., 1990; Singla and Sharma, 1992) and buffaloes as well (Singla et al., 1990, Phogat et al., 1992) contrary to the present study in which a higher incidence of maternal dystocias were seen in buffaloes. In a recent study however, an exceptionally higher incidence (70%) of dystocias have been reported to be because of uterine torsion in buffaloes (Nanda et al, 2003). It appears that buffaloes have little problem related with the dilation of the birth canal and the small number of dystocias occurring due to fetal postural abnormalities or other reasons are easily handled by breeders or attending veterinarians but uterine torsion remains beyond their skills and hence, buffaloes are generally referred to referral centres. Parity The proportion of cows and buffaloes presented with dystocia that were in their first, second and subsequent parities was 22.3%, 27.18% and 50.48% for cows and 30.18%, 26.4% and 43.4% for buffaloes, respectively. Studies by Edwards (1979) and Singla et al. (1990) recorded a higher incidence of dystocia in primiparous compared to pleuriparous cows, however,

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Phogat et al. (1992) recorded a higher incidence of dystocia in pleuriparous compared to primiparous buffaloes similar to the present study. It appears that the type of cases referred to referral centres differs at different time and location.

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Table-1:
Fetal Causes

Causes of dystocia in cows and buffaloes

Cows Per cent Methods of correction Fetotomy Others
Caesarean

Buffaloes Per cent Methods of correction Fetotomy

Caesarean

Manual

Head/Neck Deviation Limb Flexion Breech Others Fetal Dropsical Conditions Fetal Monsters Fetal Emphysema Total Maternal Causes Narrow Pelvis Incomplete Cervical Deviation Uterine Inertia Uterine Torsion Uterine Rupture Total

20.4 (21) 19.4 (20) 3.8 (4) 2.9 (3) 0.9 (1)

12 14 4 2 -

7 4 1

2 2 1 -

--

7.5 (4) 16.9 (9) 5.7 (3) -

2 7 2 -

Manual

2 -

2 1 -

0.9 (1) 15.5 (16) 64.08 (66)

3 35

1 7 20

6 11

5.7 (3) 35.8 (19)

1 12

1 3

1 4

4.8 (5) 6.8 (7)

5 4

5.7 (3) 3.8 (2)

3 1

5.8 (6) 17.5 (18) 0.9 (1) 35.92 (37)

2 2

11 20

4 7 1
15

1.9 (1) 50.9 (27) 1.9 (1) 64.2 (34)

16 20

1 11 1 13

Figures in parenthesis show the total number of cases.

Others

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Sex of Calf The sex of the calf delivered was 55.33% male and 44.67% female in cows whereas, the respective proportion of male and female calves delivered in buffaloes was 49.05% and 50.95%. Previous studies have show that male calves are more frequently associated with dystocia in cows (Edwards, 1979, Singla et al., 1990). Nearly similar findings have been seen in the buffalo (Phogat et al., 1992). Management of Dystocia Manual correction of dystocia was possible mostly for fetal postural abnormalities and in only two cases of uterine inertia in cows and 1 case of partial dilation of cervix the fetus could be delivered by manual correction alone (Table-1). Partial fetotomies along with manual delivery of fetus could be done only in fetal dystocia whereas, caesarean section was opted as a last resort in some fetal dystocia cases presented for reference after sufficient delay, whereas, caesarean section was the first option in animals with a narrow pelvis and uterine torsion not corrected by rolling using modified Schaeffers method. Chemotherapy followed by manual delivery was done only in cows with incomplete cervical dilation (n=3) and in uterine inertia cases (4 cows and 1 buffalo). The total cows that survived following manual delivery, fetotomy chemotherapy/rolling and caesarean was 92.8%, 69.2%, 73.9% and 76.9%. The total buffaloes that survived was 90.0%, 100%, 76.2% and 81.8%, respectively. The number of animals that were not traceable later have been excluded from these proportions. Phogat et al. (1992) have previously shown that 87%, 50% and 72% buffaloes survive after therapy of dystocia using manual, caesarean and fetotomy techniques. Future Fertility after Dystocia Management The outcome of future fertility of cows and buffaloes after dystocia management using different means is mentioned in Table-2.

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Table-2:

Future fertility of cows and buffaloes suffering from dystocia and managed by different means
Fetotomy D E A B C D E Caesarean section A B C D E A B Other C D E

Mean s of thera py Cows 3 7 Buffal oes 1 3 5 A B

Manual C

18

20

31

10

15

24

13

A = Total number of animals treated C = Animals not conceived E = Not traceable

B = Animals conceived subsequently D = Number of animals died

It is clear from the table that with manual treatment of dystocia, the proportion of cows and buffaloes that conceived subsequently was 64.3% and 50.0%, respectively. With fetotomy, the proportion of cows and buffaloes that conceived was 46.15% and 50.0%, respectively. When chemotherapy or other means of dystocia correction were used the proportion of cows and buffaloes that conceived was 61.5% and 63.6%, respectively. However, when caesarean section was used, the proportion of cows and buffaloes that conceived was 43.4% and 42.8%, respectively. The outcome of surgical management of dystocia in bovine has been described (Saxena et al., 1989) but the future fertility was not commented. The future fertility of animals suffering from dystocia is described (Benesch and Wright, 2001) but not to the extent that therapy be avoided. The usual reason for such a decrease in fertility is poor patient care subsequent to dystocia management and/or development of adhesions of the uterus with surrounding structures that hamper uterine motility.

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It was concluded that foetal causes of dystocia are common in cows whereas, uterine torsion is the single largest cause of dystocia in buffaloes. The time since dystocia decides the therapeutic management strategy which would be most effective. Fresh cases can easily be managed manually but after passage of sufficient time, caesarean is the method of therapy. Incomplete cervical dilation is common in cows which if does not respond to chemotherapy necessitate surgical intervention. Cervicotomy for removing a fetus must be discouraged. References Benesch, F. and Wright, J.G. (2001). Veterinary Obstetrics Green world Publishers, India. Pp. 75-89. Edwards, S.A. (1979). Incidence of dystocia. In: Veterinary Reproduction and Obstetrics. Balilliere Tindall, London. Khammas, D.J. and Al-Hamedawi, T.M. (1994). Clinical investigation on bovine dystocia in Iraq. Indian Vet. J. 71(5): 464-468. Nanda, A.S., Brar, P.S. and Prabhakar, S. (2003). Enchancing reproductive performance in dairy buffalo. Major constraints and achievements. Reprod. Suppl. 61: 27-36. Phogat, J.B., Bugalia, N.S. and Gupta, S.L. (1992). Incidence and treatment of various forms of dystocias in buffaloes. Indian J. Anim. Reprod. 13(1): 69-70. Saxena, O.P., Varshney, A.C., Jadon, N.S., Sharma, V.K. and Dabas, Y.P.S. (1989). Surgical management of dystocia in bovine. A clinical study. Indian Vet. J. 66(6): 562-566. Singla, V.K. and Sharma, R.D. (1992). Analysis of 188 cases of dystocia in buffaloes. Indian Vet. J. 69(6): 563-564.

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Singla, V.K., Gandotra, V.K., Prabhakar, S. and Sharma, R.D. (1990). Incidence of various types of dystocias in cows. Indian Vet. J. 67: 283-284. Tutt, J.B. (1944). Incidence of dystocias. In: Veterinary Reproduction and

Obstetrics. Bailliere Tindall, London. Verma, R.P. and Mishra, R.R. (1984). Incidence of certain reproductive

disorders in different breeds of cattle. Indian Vet. J. 61: 169. Verma, S.K., Tyagi, R.P.S. and Manohar, M. (1974). Caesarean section in

bovine. A clinical study. Indian Vet. J. 51(6): 471-479.