Dystocia due to breech presentation and caesarean under local anaesthesia and sedation in a mare

Abstract

A nulliparous non-descript mare presented at full term with a history of straining (utero-abdominal contractions) for the last 24 hours. Vaginal examination revealed a dead foal in posterior presentation with bilateral hip flexion and dorso-iliac left position. Pre-operatively, 5 mL Tetanus toxoid as intramuscular injection, 3g Ceftriaxone and 4 mL Dexamethasone in 3L 5% Dextrose normal saline (DNS) as intravenous infusion (i/v) was administered. The per-vaginal delivery of the foal could not be attempted due to breech presentation, therefore, caesarean section was planned. Local anaesthetic infiltration along with sedation was done for carrying out the caesarean by employing an oblique ventro-lateral approach in lateral recumbency. Intravenous fluids, anti-inflammatory drugs and daily antiseptic dressing were included in post-operative management and led to uneventful recovery of mare. The authors would like to perorate the case as a rare breech presentation induced dystocia in equine and emergency caesarean by employing an oblique ventro-lateral approach under local anaesthesia and sedation.