Dystocia in a Buffaloes Due to Fetal Ascites

Foetal ascites is seen as an occasional cause of dystocia in farm animals. Two cases of dystocia due to fetal ascites in buffaloes (5 and 8 years old) were presented to the Veterinary Teaching Hospital, Pantnagar. The animals had completed gestation and the waterbags came normally but parturition did not progress. The animals had been straining since the previous day, and both hind limbs were out of the vulva. Per-vaginum examination revealed a distended abdomen of fetus wedged in the pelvic inlet, and the cases were diagnosed as dystocia due to foetal ascites. Following epidural anesthesia and aseptic conditions, per-vaginum, the abdominal walls of the fetuses were punctured with a fetotomy knife to evacuate the ascitic fl uid (clear, straw coloured about 60 liters) and after complete removal of abdominal fl uid, the fetuses were delivered by gentle traction. Suitable post-partum therapy was given to avoid any further complications. The buffaloes were discharged from the clinic with necessary advice. Ascites of the fetus may occur due to an anomaly in development leading to obstruction on the lymphatics and thus prevents the disposal of peritoneal fl uid that may be linked with diminished urinary excretion of water (Jubb and kennedy, 1970). The overproduction and ineffi cient removal of the peritoneal fl uid may also cause the ascites of the fetus (Sloss and Dufty, 1980). In the present cases, following a correct diagnosis, dystocias due to fetal ascites were relieved which avoided economic loss to the farmers and stress and postoperative complications of cesarean operation to the dams. In addition to that, this technique gives the dams better chances of future fertility, which is questionable following cesarean section.