A caesarian section is the oldest and most common surgical procedure done by bovine practitioners.
C-sections aren’t required only when a calf’s life is at stake. The first goal of this procedure is to save the dam. It is also important to maintain its fertility.
In a survey of 133 C-sections, 91 percent of cows and 95 percent of calves survived.
Unfortunately, 30 percent of the cows in the study suffered from an illness post surgery, most commonly poor appetite, uterine infection often secondary to a retained placenta, or diarrhea.
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Not all study cows were fertile after the C-section.
Of 22 beef cows rebred after surgery, 91 percent became pregnant. Fertility was lower in dairy cows. Of 24 that were rebred, only 72 percent conceived.
To do a C-section, most veterinarians begin by anesthetizing the cow’s flank. The incision is made vertically in the paralumbar fossa, the soft area behind the ribs, in front of the hind leg, and below the lumbar vertebrae.
This area is easily accessed in a standing cow.
Most veterinarians prefer to make the incision in the cow’s left side because they don’t want to deal with interference from the intestines, which are on the right side.
The incision is carried through the skin, subcutaneous fat, and finally the muscle.
The uterus is just below the muscle, ready to protrude through the incision. It is usually pulled out before being incised to remove the calf.
This helps reduce leakage of fluids into the cow’s abdomen, which is especially important if the calf or fetal fluids are infected.
Once the calf is removed, the uterine wall is closed with absorbable suture. The abdominal wall is then sutured in several layers, followed by the skin.
Special circumstances may require a different approach to calf delivery.
An emphysematous calf is dead and often grotesquely enlarged. In this case, the bacteria growing in the dead fetus produce toxins that can induce dehydration and shock in the cow.
Rather than racing to get the fetus out, the immediate priority is to stabilize the cow. Intravenous fluids may be required to bring its blood volume back to normal, along with medications to counteract the effects of the toxins.
A uterus that contains an emphysematous calf can easily break. Many veterinarians elect to remove such a calf through midline incisions to help minimize contamination of the cow’s abdominal cavity.
Uterine torsions also demand a different approach and not always a surgical one.
In a study of 164 torsions, Brown Swiss and Holstein breeds were found to be at higher risk for torsion compared to Hereford, Angus and Jersey cows.
Torsions can be corrected by rolling the cow. If the fetus still can’t be delivered vaginally (either the calf is too big or the cervix is not dilated properly), a C-section is needed.
In these cases, calf survival is poor and cow complications are common. Only 24 percent of calves live and about 57 percent of the cows suffer from retained placentas.
During an assisted vaginal delivery, the cow’s uterus can be inadvertently damaged. If a laceration occurs, fresh blood will drip from the cow’s vulva.
Small tears can sometimes be left alone because the seeping blood vessel is naturally clamped off as the uterus contracts after delivery.
If the wound is large, surgical closure is needed. This may require a flank approach to the uterus, similar to that used in a C-section.
Jeff Grognet is a veterinarian and writer practising in Qualicum Beach, B.C.
