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Cesarean section in sow Pramod Kumar, G. N. Purohit and J.S. Mehta Department of Veterinary Gynaecology and Obstetrics College of Veterinary and Animal Science, Rajasthan University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Bikaner Rajasthan India Abstract Cesarean section in sow if indicative should be done promptly before the sow become toxic and has friable uterine tissue and vessels. Because the birth canal is too small for inspection for unborned pigs via palpation, radiography or ultrasound may be indicated to reveal undelivered piglets. For cesarean section indications, anesthesia, operative technique and post operative care is described. Key words- cesarean, sow, post operative care The sow is considered a difficult obstetrical patient because although surgery is many times needed, it is difficult to identify the cause of dystocia even after the operation (Pearson, 1999). Cesarean section in sow is a rare operation to relieve from dystocia (Ghosh, 2007). A decision for or against cesarean section must be based on the condition of sow, the value of sow, onset of labor, type of dystocia, and the and the potential number of live fetuses remaining (Leman et al. 1986). Higher percentage of recoveries will occur when the operation is performed within a 24 hours after the onset of labor (Frank, 1964). IndicationsThe major indications enlisted (Titze, 1977; Renard et al. 1981; Ghosh, 2007) were vaginal prolapse, fetopelvic disproportion, fetal emphysema, secondary
Anesthesia Because of difficulties in restraint either general anesthesia or deep sedation and local analgesia is used to perform the operation. When inhalation anesthesia like halothane or isoflurane are available, sedation with intravenous thiopentone sodium (150-200mg/kg IV) or methohexitone sodium (Pearson, 1999) followed by halothane-nitrous oxide oxygen mixture is used. Pre-medication with atropine (0.04-0.07 mg/kg SC or IV), glycopyrrolate (0.01-0.02 mg/kg SC) or diazepam (0.55-1.1 mg/kg IM) can be done. Some breeds like Landrace are known to be sensitive to halothane (Pearson, 1999) and hence care should be exercised while dealing with these breeds. Some of the other suggested parentral anesthetics for the sow include a combination of intramuscular azaperone (2 mg/kg) and intravenous metomidate (2 mg/kg) with local infiltration anesthesia or alternatively, ketamine hydrochloride (15-20 mg/kg) alone or with azaperone or diazepam (0.55-1.1 mg/kg) (Pearson, 1999). Propofol (5 mg/kg IV) or telazol (4.4 mg/kg IM) and xylazine (2.2 mg/kg IM) are other anaesthetic combinations. However, all these combinations are known to result in a high incidence of postoperative hind limb paralysis (Renard et al., 1981) and hence should be used carefully.
Fig 1 The sow is placed in right lateral recumbency and the ventral flank area is prepared for surgery.
Fig 2 The skin incision is given and the subcutaneous facia is separated.
Fig 3 The gravid uterine horns of the sow are taken out of the abdomen and packed with sterile drapes.
Fig 4 The uterine horn of a sow being excised closer to the body during cesarean section.
Fig 5. A piglet being removed after excising the uterine horn of a sow during cesarean section.
Fig 6. The muscle layer of a sow being sutured during cesarean section.