Introduction

• This article describes the technique used to perform a cesarean section and discusses the decision making processes involved in determining when a cesarean section is appropriate.  
• Please be aware that this information is designed to be a useful guide for the veterinary surgeon, but is not prescriptive.  The decision making process will very much depend on the individual case and its unique circumstances. 

Uses

• Expulsive defect:
  • Myometrial defect:
    • Primary uterine inertia (inability of the uterus to contract sufficiently).
    • Secondary uterine inertia (decreased effectiveness of uterine contractions as parturition progresses).
  • Defective or inadeqate straining.
• Inadequate birth canal:
  • Failure of cervix, soft tissues or ligaments to relax.
  • Uterine torsion; definitely if  complete torsion (>270⁰).
  • Obstruction of birth canal, eg pelvic fracture.
• Inadequate pelvic diameter*

• Fetal oversize:
  • Normal but large*.
  • Defective or monster calf.
• Faulty disposition or alignment:
  • Abnormal presentation.
  • Abnormal position.
  • Abnormal posture.
• Fetal death.
• Signs of fetal distress.

• History of previous dystocia or cesarean.
• Predictable dystocia due to breed predisposition, eg Belgian blue cattle Belgian blue cattle or misalliance, eg heifer too small when mated.

Advantages of performing the procedure

• Increased chance of a live calf if intervention is performed early.
• Reduced chance of secondary complications to cow, eg peripheral neuropathies.

Disadvantages

• Cost.
• Risk of surgical and post-surgical complications in the dam, including death.
• May reduce subsequent fertility of dam.
• Anesthetic depression of calf (if sedative used).

Requirements

Preparation

Procedure

Aftercare

Outcomes

Prognosis

• Generally good but heavily dependent on case selection.
• Dependent on individual animal, farm and surgeon.

Further Reading

Publications

Refereed Papers

• Recent references from PubMed and VetMedResource.
• Lyons N A et al (2013) Aspects of bovine caesarean section associated with calf mortality, dam survival and subsequent fertility. Vet J PubMed.
• Newman K D (2008) Bovine caesarean section in the field. Vet Clin North Am Food Anim Pract 24, 273-293 PubMed.
• Schultz L G et al (2008) Surgical approaches for caesarean section in cattle. Canad Vet Jour 49, 565-568 PubMed.
• Kolkman I et al (2007) Protocol of the caesarean section as performed in daily bovine practice in Belgium. Reprod Domest Anim 42, 583-589 PubMed.
• Newman K D & Anderson D E (2005) Cesarean section in cows. Vet Clin North Am Food Anim Pract 21, 73-100.
• Dawson J C & Murray R (1992) Caesarean sections in cattle attended by a practice in Cheshire. Vet Rec 131, 525-527 PubMed.
• Barkema H W et al (1992) Fertility, production and culling following caesarean section in dairy cattle. Theriogenology 38, 589-599 PubMed.
• Cattell J H & Dobson H (1990) A survey of caesarean operations on cattle in general veterinary practice. Vet Rec 127, 395-399 PubMed.

Other sources of information

• Raphael Guatteo, Caroline Lesort & Gwenola Touzot-Jourde (2023) Impact of Meloxicam Administration in Cows Prior to Caesarean Section on the Efficacy of Passive Immunity Transfer in Calves. Animals MDPI. 13, 37 Online
• Hendrickson D A & Baird A N (2013) Cesarean Section in the Cow. In: Turner and McIlwraith’s Techniques in Large Animal Surgery. Wiley Blackwell. pp 258-265.
• Fubini S L & Ducharme N G (2004) Cesarean Section. In: Farm Animal Surgery. Ed: Fathman E M. Saunders. pp 382-387.
• Noakes D E, Parkinson T J & England G C W (2001) The caesarean operation. In: Arthur’s Veterinary Reproduction and Obstetrics. pp 341-363.