Vol 23 No 1, p 185-186

DOI : 10.5958/2277-8934.2016.00031.X

DYSTOCIA IN SHE CAMEL AND ITS CORRECTION

WITH PERCUTANEOUS FOETOTOMY A CASE REPORT
Vinod Dudi, J. S. Mehta, G.N. Purohit, Surendra Kumar,
A.K. Chaudhary, Pramod Kumar and Amit Kumar

Department of Veterinary Gynaecology and Obstetrics, College of Veterinary and Animal Science,
Rajasthan University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Bikaner 334001, Rajasthan, India

ABSTRACT

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A case of dystocia in a Bikaneri she camel with foetal presentation of dorsal deviation of neck and bilateral
flexion of both fore limbs at shoulder joint. Dystocia was relieved by performing percutaneous foetotomy of neck and
both legs using thygesons foetotome. Remaining foetus was delivered by traction through the birth canal lubricated
with liquid paraffin. The post-operative administration of antibiotics, anti-inflammatory, multi-vitamin and fluid
therapy was followed and the animal was discharged in healthy condition.
Key words: Camel, dystocia, foetotomy

The incidence of dystocia is low in camels

(Arthur and Al-Rahim, 1982; Tibary and Anouassi,
1997). Dystocia of foetal origin (foetal maldisposition)
is more common in camels as compared to maternal
dystocia (Purohit et al, 2011; Purohit, 2012). Because
of the exceptionally long neck and extremities when
dystocia occurs, it is difficult to manage (Purohit,
2012) and flexions of the limbs and or neck deviations
are the common causes (Van Straten, 2000; Purohit et
al, 2011). Foetopelvic disproportion and monstrosities
were considered rare in camel (Arthur et al, 1999).
It is estimated that approximately 5% of all camelid
births will require some assistance and ~2% will
require advanced obstetrical expertise (Tibary et al,
2008). Manual correction of flexion and deviation is
possible within 12 h of 2nd stage of labour (Purohit,
2012). Partial foetotomy of head and limbs is possible
in camels using a thygesons fetotome used in cattle
(Purohit et al, 2011; Purohit, 2012). When camels
are presented beyond 48 h of 2nd stage of labour,
foetotomies are considered less rewarding (Purohit et
al, 2011). In this case report percutaneous foetotomy
of neck and both fore limbs are described.

water bags had ruptured and no foetal extremities

were protruding through the vulva. The animal was
alert and active. The rectal temperature of the animal
recorded was 97.9F and the respiration rate was 12
per min.

Correction of dystocia
The animal was sedated by intravenous
administration of 140 mg of xylazine. Per vaginal
examination revealed that the foetus was in anterior
presentation with dorso-sacral position and neck
was deviated in dorsal side and both fore limbs were
flexed at the shoulder joint. Foetus was dead and
foetal extremities were more cranially deviated. It was
decided to correct the dystocia through percutaneous
foetotomy using thygesons fetotome (Fig 1).
Foetotomy of neck was done followed by amputation
of legs at shoulder joint one by one. A krey-schottler
obstetrical hook was inserted in the birth canal and
placed at the remaining part of the neck near thorax of
the foetus. Traction was applied on the krey-schottler
obstetrical hook after adequate lubrication with liquid
paraffin (Fig 2) and the foetus was delivered (Fig 3).
She camel was treated with antibiotics (ceftriaxone),
multivitamin, NSAID and fluid therapy (4 litres of
5% dextrose, 400 ml of calcium borogluconate and
2 litres of Ringers lactate). Antibiotics were also
administered intrauterine. An uneventful recovery
was observed.

Case history
A 8 year old female camel in its 2 nd parity
was presented to the Department of Veterinary
Gynaecology and Obstetrics with a history of dystocia
for 12 hours at the time of presentation. Both the
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Journal of Camel Practice and Research

June 2016 /

185

Fig 1. Partial percutaneous foetotomy of head and both fore

limbs performed using thygesons fetotome in a camel.

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Fig 3. Dead foetus of camel delivered after percutaneous

foetotomy.

brought in the birth canal. Thus it was concluded that

percutaneous foetotomy can be performed in camels
with dead foetus to relieve dystocia.

Refrences

Arthur GH and Al-Rahim AT (1982). Aspects of reproduction

in the female camel (Camelus dromedarius) in Saudi
Arabia. Veterinary Medical Review 1:83-88.
Arthur GH, Noakes DE, Pearson H and Parkinson TJ (1999).
Reproduction in the camel. In: Arthur GH, Noakes
DE, Pearson H. and Parkinson TJ. Eds., Veterinary
Reproduction and Obstetrics, WB Saunders, London.
pp 659-666.
Kumar P, Purohit GN and Mehta JS (2012). Dystocia in a camel
and its correction with foetotomy. Journal of Camel
Practice and Research 19:289-290.
Fig 2. Application of traction on remaining part of neck by
krey-schottler obstetrical hook.

Discussion
Foetotomy appears to be difficult and less
rewarding in camels (Purohit, 2012) owing to the
exceptionally long extremities and neck. It has been
mentioned that foetotomies should be carefully
performed in camels (Tibary et al, 2008; Purohit et al,
2011) as they can lead to laceration in the birth canal
with resultant fatal haemorrhages. Subcutaneous
foetotomy can be performed in camels with dead
foetus (Kumar et al, 2012). More cranially placed foetal
extremities may be at times beyond the reach of the
clinician hand and thus difficult to correct manually.
In present case, the dorsal deviation of neck and
flexion of legs were severe and the neck could not be

186 / June 2016

Purohit GN, Mehta JS, Dholpuria S, Barolia Y, Kumar

P, Shekher C and Yadav SP (2011). Dystocia in
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Purohit GN (2012). Dystocia in camelids: The causes and
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Tibary A and Anouassi A (1997). Obstetrics and neonatal
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Journal of Camel Practice and Research