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Correction of equine dystocia
Author(s) -
Frazer G. S.,
Perkins N. R.,
Embertson R. M.
Publication year - 1999
Publication title -
equine veterinary education
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.304
H-Index - 31
eISSN - 2042-3292
pISSN - 0957-7734
DOI - 10.1111/j.2042-3292.1999.tb00920.x
Subject(s) - medicine , library science , veterinary medicine , citation , computer science
Although most dystocias can be resolved a t the farm fairly quickly by brief manipulation and assisted vaginal delivery, the practitioner should consider the alternatives if resolution is likely to take more than 10-15 min. Decisions should be based on: viability of the foal clinician's obstetrical skills availability of equipment and facilities financial constraints imposed by the owner. Copious amounts of lubricant are essential to the successful resolution of a dystocia. This ensures that the soft tissues of the genital tract of the dam are not traumatised, and provides protection to the hands and arms of the clinician. Lubricants include methyl cellulose, polyethylene polymer, whi.te petrolatum combined with 10% boric acid, and mineral oil. Water soluble lubricants are generally not as desirable since they rapidly lose their lubricating abilities in the presence of fluids. The authors prefer to mix a polyethylene polymer powder with water. A clean stomach tube and pump are used gently to instill the lubricant into the uterine lumen (Fig 1). This is repeated as often as is necessary during the procedure to keep the fetus and reproductive tract coated. If the uterus is contracted, lubricant will tend to induce some uterine relaxation and create some additional space in which to perform manipulations (Perkins and Frazer 1994). Mutation is defined as those manipulations by which a fetus is returned to a normal presentation, position and posture (Roberts 1986). Thus, mutation may entail a combination of fetal repulsion and rotation, together with adjustment or extension of the fetal extremities. The clinician should remain cognisant at all times that overzealous obstetrical manipulations are a major cause of uterine rupture. Repulsion of the fetus from the maternal pelvis is contraindicated if the uterus is contracted down around the fetus such that most of the fetal fluid has been expelled. Some of these cases may be amenable to correction by fetotomy if the clinician has the appropriate skills and equipment (Frazer 1997). The alternative is caesarean section.