Field caesarean section in seven miniature horses and ponies (2009-2012).
Abstract: While in cattle emergency and elective Caesarean sec-tions are commonly performed in the field, either with the animal recumbent or standing (Newman 2008), in the horse there are very few reports of field Caesarean sections (Gillespie 1962; Graff 1963; Leibrecht and Watt 1964; Cohen 1975), and all required general anaesthesia. It is therefore considered a procedure to be performed in a hospital setting. Furthermore, while the second stage of labour lasts as long as 6 h, it lasts only 20 min in horse, which, together with the fact that mares usually need to be transported to the hospital, makes it very difficult to deliver live foals. A study reports that no foals have been delivered alive after 90 min from the rupture of the allantocho-non (Freeman et al. 1999a). Other techniques like assisted vaginal delivery or controlled vaginal delivery may be useful, although the latter could carry more complications than a Caesarean section in a hospital setting (Freeman et al. 1999a). An option to resolve dystocia in the field when the foal is dead is certainly represented by fetotomy. In some breeds like miniature horses or Shetland ponies, this is very difficult to achieve, if not impossible in some cases, and only with great distress to the mare. Furthermore, in some settings, fetotomy or mare euthanasia could be unacceptable for owners, thus forcing veterinarians to find a different solution. The aim of the present report was to describe a low left flank celiotomy technique for Caesarean section, per-formed under sedation and local anaesthesia in lateral recumbency and applied to miniature horses and ponies.
Publication Date: 2013-03-15 PubMed ID: 23489709DOI: 10.1111/rda.12158Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary
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This research paper describes a technique to perform a cesarean section on miniature horses and ponies in field conditions, which was previously believed to be a procedure feasible only in a hospital setting. The cesarean section was performed under sedation and local anesthesia in seven cases between 2009 and 2012.
Background of the Study
- The background of the study shows that cesarean sections are frequently carried out on cattle in field situations, either with the animal standing or lying down. However, for horses, cesarean sections in the field have seldom been conducted and it is generally seen as a complex procedure that requires a hospital environment.
- The authors suggest that the very short labor duration in horses, combined with the often necessary transportation to the hospital, makes it really challenging to deliver live foals. Furthermore, the situation becomes even more complex when dealing with breeds such as miniature horses and Shetland ponies, where resolving dystocia (difficult birth) in the field is generally very distressing for the mare and sometimes downright impossible.
- Fetotomy, a surgery that involves removal of death fetus, cited as an alternative solution, is not always achievable and may be emotionally distressing for owners.
Objective of the Research
- The main aim of the research is to present a technique for a field cesarean section via a low left flank celiotomy (incision in the flank area on the left side of the horse). The method is designed to be performed on miniature horses and ponies under sedation and local anesthesia while the animal is lying on its side in the field.
- In this technique, fetotomy or euthanasia of the mare, which can have significant emotional impact on the owner, would not be necessary, thereby offering an alternative solution to veterinarians.
Research Method
- The paper refers to seven instances where this technique was performed between the years of 2009 and 2012. However, the exact steps of the procedure, the specific findings, and the implications for the broader field of veterinary medicine are not detailed in the abstract.
- Future studies and detailed analysis of the procedure could provide more insights into the effectiveness, advantages and potential risks of this technique.
Cite This Article
APA
Gandini M, Iotti B, Nervo T.
(2013).
Field caesarean section in seven miniature horses and ponies (2009-2012).
Reprod Domest Anim, 48(4), e49-e51.
https://doi.org/10.1111/rda.12158 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Turin, Grugliasco (TO), Italy. marco.gandini@unito.it
MeSH Terms
- Anesthesia, Local / veterinary
- Animals
- Cesarean Section / methods
- Cesarean Section / veterinary
- Dystocia / surgery
- Dystocia / veterinary
- Emergency Treatment / methods
- Emergency Treatment / veterinary
- Female
- Horse Diseases / surgery
- Horses
- Hypnotics and Sedatives / administration & dosage
- Pregnancy
Citations
This article has been cited 1 times.- de la Rebière de Pouyade G, Binard M, Deleuze S, Ponthier J. Survey on outcomes of emergency standing caesarean section in equids. Front Vet Sci 2025;12:1548978.
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