Surgical Management of Feline Dystocia Due to Uterine  Inertia by Caesarean Section and Ovariohysterectomy:  A Case Report

Authors

  • Vandana Department of Veterinary Gynaecology and Obstetrics, College of Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry, Acharya Narendra Deva University of Agriculture and Technology, Kumarganj, Ayodhya-224229, UP, India
  • Mohammad Irfan Department of Veterinary Gynaecology and Obstetrics, College of Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry, Acharya Narendra Deva University of Agriculture and Technology, Kumarganj, Ayodhya-224229, UP, India
  • Akarsh Tyagi Department of Veterinary Gynaecology and Obstetrics, College of Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry, Acharya Narendra Deva University of Agriculture and Technology, Kumarganj, Ayodhya-224229, UP, India
  • Saurabh Department of Veterinary Clinical Complex, College of Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry, Acharya Narendra Deva University of Agriculture and Technology, Kumarganj, Ayodhya-224229, UP, India
  • Rajesh Kumar Assistant Professor, Department of Veterinary Gynaecology and Obstetrics, College of Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry, Acharya Narendra Deva University of Agriculture and Technology, Kumarganj, Ayodhya-224229, UP, India
  • Sonu Jaiswal Department of Veterinary Clinical Complex, College of Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry, Acharya Narendra Deva University of Agriculture and Technology, Kumarganj, Ayodhya-224229, UP, India

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.48165/ijvsbt.22.2.38

Keywords:

Dystocia, Feline, Uterine inertia, Caesarean section, Ovariohysterectomy, Queen cat

Abstract

Dystocia, defined as difficult or abnormal parturition, is a critical emergency in small animal practice that  requires immediate veterinary intervention (Verstegen et al., 2008). In cats, dystocia occurs in approximately 5-6% of all  pregnancies and can be classified as either maternal or fetal  in origin (Jackson, 2004). Maternal dystocia includes uterine  inertia, pelvic abnormalities, and cervical dystocia, while  fetal dystocia involves oversized fetuses, malpresentation, or  fetal monsters (Linde-Forsberg, 2010). Uterine inertia is one  of the most common causes of dystocia in cats and can be  further categorized as primary or secondary (Traas, 2008). The  normal gestation period in cats ranges from 58-70 days, with  an average of 65 days (Johnston et al., 2011). Recognition of  dystocia is crucial for successful management. Clinical signs  include prolonged stage I labour (>24 h), active straining  without fetal delivery for more than 30 min, interval between  kitten deliveries exceeding 4 h, and maternal distress (Linde Forsberg, 2010). Early intervention improves both maternal  and fetal survival rates (Münnich and Küchenmeister, 2009).  This case report presents the successful management of a  young queen cat with secondary uterine inertia following  partial parturition, emphasizing the importance of timely  surgical intervention in achieving favourable outcomes.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

1. Davidson, A. P. (2014). Approaches to reducing neonatal mortality in dogs. Recent Advances in Small Animal Reproduction, 1-15.

2. Doebeli, A., Michel, E., Bettschart, R., Hartnack, S., & Reichler, I. M. (2013). Apgar score after induction of anesthesia for canine cesarean section with alfaxalone versus propofol. Theriogenology, 80(8), 850-854.

3. Eneroth, A., Linde-Forsberg, C., Uhlhorn, M., & Hall, M. (1999). Radiographic pelvimetry for assessment of dystocia in bitches: A clinical study in two terrier breeds. Journal of Small Animal Practice, 40(6), 257-264.

4. Feldman, E. C., & Nelson, R. W. (2004). Canine and feline endocrinology and reproduction. Elsevier Health Sciences, 3rd edition.

5. Jackson, P. G. G. (2004). Handbook of veterinary obstetrics. Elsevier Health Sciences, 2nd edition.

6. Johnston, S. D., Root Kustritz, M. V., & Olson, P. N. S. (2001). Canine and feline theriogenology. WB Saunders Company.

7. Linde-Forsberg, C. (2010). Abnormalities in pregnancy, parturition, and the periparturient period. Textbook of Veterinary Internal Medicine, 1890-1901.

8. Little, S. E. (2011). Female reproduction. The Cat: Clinical Medicine and Management, 1195-1227.

9. Luna, S. P., Cassu, R. N., Castro, G. B., Teixeira Neto, F. J., Silva Jr, J. R., & Lopes, M. D. (2004). Effects of four anesthetic protocols on the neurological and cardiorespiratory variables of puppies born by cesarean section. Veterinary Therapeutics, 5(2), 102-112.

10. Moon, P. F., Erb, H. N., Ludders, J. W., Gleed, R. D., & Pascoe, P. J. (2000). Perioperative risk factors for puppies delivered by cesarean section in the United States and Canada. Journal of the American Animal Hospital Association, 36(4), 359-368.

11. Münnich, A., & Küchenmeister, U. (2009). Dystocia in numbers–evidence-based parameters for intervention in the dog: Causes for dystocia and treatment recommendations. Reproduction in Domestic Animals, 44(2), 141-147.

12. Pretzer, S. D. (2008). Clinical presentation of canine pyometra and mucometra: A review. Theriogenology, 70(3), 359-363.

13. Root Kustritz, M. V. (2005). Pregnancy diagnosis and abnormalities of pregnancy in the dog. Theriogenology, 64(3), 755-765.

14. Toll, J., Barr, F., & Gruffydd-Jones, T. J. (2003). Breed predispositions to disease in dogs and cats. Blackwell Science, 2nd edition.

15. Traas, A. M. (2008). Surgical management of canine and feline dystocia. Theriogenology, 70(3), 337-342.

16. Verstegen, J., Dhaliwal, G., & Verstegen-Onclin, K. (2008). Mucometra, cystic endometrial hyperplasia, and pyometra in the bitch: Advances in treatment and assessment of future reproductive success. Theriogenology, 70(3), 364-374.

Downloads

Published

2026-03-10

Issue

Vol. 22 No. 2 (2026): The Indian Journal of Veterinary Sciences and Biotechnology (IJVSBT) (Mar-Apr) 2026

Section

Case Report

License

Copyright (c) 2026 Indian Journal of Veterinary Sciences and Biotechnology

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

How to Cite

Vandana, Irfan, M., Tyagi, A., Saurabh, Kumar, R., & Jaiswal, S. (2026). Surgical Management of Feline Dystocia Due to Uterine  Inertia by Caesarean Section and Ovariohysterectomy:  A Case Report. Indian Journal of Veterinary Sciences and Biotechnology, 22(2), 192-194. https://doi.org/10.48165/ijvsbt.22.2.38