Lambing Dystocia

Question 1

Ewe examination

Answer 1

HR 65-80BPM
RR 16-34BPM
Temperature 38.3-39.3

Question 2

Lamb presentation

Answer 2

Anterior (head first) or posterior (bum first, malpresentation)
Dorsal (spine to spine, correct) or ventral (upside down, malpresentation)
Extended or flexed

Question 3

Risks to ewe

Answer 3

Toxic dose is easy to achieve in local anesthetic (20mg/kg for ewes, epidural of procaine and xylazine/L block)
Peritonitis (particularly if the lamb if decomposing)
Infection (antibiotics)
Wound dehiscence

Question 4

Risks to lamb

Answer 4

Poor prognosis <130 days gestation
Aspiration
Mismothering

Question 5

Indications for caesarean

Answer 5

Fetal heart rate <110bpm
Prolonged manipulation (trauma/stress)
Economics (live offspring, live ewe that reproduces next year)

Question 6

Causes of dystocia (indicate caesarean)

Answer 6

Malpresentation (most common cause)
Fetal/maternal size mismatch (especially if singletons)
Incomplete cervical dilation
Vaginal prolapse
Pregnancy toxaemia
Prepubic tendon rupture
Congenital defects/fetal monster
Fetal disease
Uterine torsion
Uterine inertia (hypocalcaemia)
Hydrops
Uterine vaginal tears
Inguinal hernia
(Lamb alive so fetotomy not appropriate)

Question 7

Appropriate needle

Answer 7

Round bodied
Atraumatic/non-cutting
Tapered
Must not be triangular!

Question 8

Appropriate suture material

Answer 8

Catgut
(Absorbable, 0/1, monofilament)

Question 9

Suture pattern to close the uterus

Answer 9

Utrecht