• Surgical management of dystocia Dystocia.
• Dystocia is unusual in rabbits and the need to perform a cesarean is rare.

Uses

Maternal factors

• Uterine inertia which is unresponsive to medical management.
• Obstruction of the birth canal such as stricture, hyperplasia, aplasia, intraluminal or extraluminal vaginal mass.
• Small pelvic canal.
• Uterine anomaly such as uterine torsion or uterine developmental abnormalities where parts of the reproductive tract were found to be absent.
• Obesity of the doe can contribute to dystocia.

Fetal factors

• Relative or absolute fetal oversize:
  • Prolonged gestation due to one or two large kits, is not uncommon to see in Dwarf breeds.
  • It is not unusual for these kits to become very large and die at 33-34 days’ gestation.
  • The gestation period of a rabbit averages 31-32 days.
• Malpresentation of the fetus.
• Fetal death.
• Fetal deformity.
• Signs of fetal distress in prolonged parturition.

Elective

• In other species elective procedures may be carried out if there is a history of previous dystocia, or if the animal is of a particular breed type associated with dystocia.
• As dystocia is unusual in rabbits, elective cesarean sections are not performed in this species.

Advantages

• To increase the change of the doe surviving if dystocia can't be managed medically.

Disadvantages

• Anesthesia and surgical risks to the doe.
• Care required to prevent fetal hypoxia.
• Cost.

Alternative techniques

• Calcium gluconate Calcium gluconate for primary uterine inertia due to subclinical hypocalcemia.
• Oxytocin Oxytocin at 1-3 IU administered via the IM route, for non-obstructive dystocia can be given 30 min after calcium gluconate.

Traction

• Traction as used for other species when the fetus is marginally oversized or if there is reduceable malposture can rarely be used in the rabbit due to patient size.

Decision taking

Criteria for choosing test

General considerations

• Dystocia is unusual in rabbits and the need for this procedure is uncommon.
• Parturition usually occurs in the morning and is usually rapid, lasting less than 30 min. The average litter size is 5-8. If a rabbit is seen to be straining for over 30-60 min without giving birth, then intervention is essential.
• Often difficult to assess cause of dystocia.
• If there is no response within 30-60 min after administration of calcium gluconate and oxytocin, further intervention is necessary. Focus should be placed on saving the doe.

Diagnosis of dystocia

• Straining with no fetal passage.
• Persistent contractions with no fetus.
• Bloody or greenish-brown vaginal discharge.
• Physical examination; retained kit either visible or palpable in birth canal more than an hour after the start of parturition.
• Signs of systemic illness, toxemia, pyrexia, weakness.
• Radiography Radiography: abdomen to determine the width of the pelvic canal and the position and number of kits.
• Evidence of fetal death, with lack of heart beats on abdominal ultrasound.