DYSTOCIA DUE TO POSTURAL DEFECT AND HYDROCEPHALIC FETUS IN A PRIMER UDA EWE

ABSTRACT Dystocia, or difficult parturition, is considered as an obstetrical emergency in sheep production that can affect both the ewe and fetus. In a primer ewe dystocia can be particularly challenging due to their anatomical and physiological factors or due to their smaller pelvic area and inexperience with parturition. This report presents a case of dystocia due to malpresentation, malposture and hydrocephalic fetus in a year old primer Uda ewe. A pregnant ewe at term weigh 26.5kg was presented to the Large Animal Clinic Unit of the Veterinary Teaching Hospital, University of Jos with the chief complaint of difficulty at parturition. History revealed that the ewe is a primer and had been observed to be straining two days before presentation. A detailed obstetrical examination revealed persistent straining, presentation of a forelimb of one of the fetuses seen hanging outside of the vulva with the right limb flexed backwards, lateral deviation of the head, bruxism, ticks were seen around the perineum and the ewe was recumbent. A further examination on the fetuses revealed a dead fetus as evidenced by absence of pedal reflex. The fetuses were delivered through manipulation and manual traction. There was an uneventful marked recovery of the ewe following intervention.