Dystocia

• Difficult and Extended Birth
• Influenced by many factors such as:
  • Breed
  • Age
  • Parity
  • Body Condition
  • Environment
  • Nutritional status and energy balance

Incidence of Dystocia

• Cow: 3%
• Ewe: 3-30%
• Sow: 1%
• Mare: 4%
• Bitch: 1%
• Queen: 1%

Common Causes

• Incorrect foetal position e.g. breech in Lambs
  • In the cow, mare and ewe the foetus must rotate in utero prior to parturition.
• Foetus is too large, or dam is too small (fetomaternal disproportion)
• Multiple births
• Twins in monotocious species
  • Both may be presented simultaneously
  • First may be positioned abnormally and block passage of the second.
  • Uterus may become fatigued by difficult and sustained contractions.
• Poor or absent Uterine contractions (Inertia)
• Increases after pharmacological induction of parturition in cows and pigs

Further Complications after Birth

• Increased incidence of stillbirths
• Increased neonatal mortality and morbidity
• Increased incidence of mortality for the dam
• Reduced dam productivity and fertility
• Increased incidence of sterility, puerperal disease and culling
• Mother often rejects the offspring