Caesarean operation in two farmed red deer (Cervus elaphus)

Abstract

In this case, a caesarean section was performed on 2 red deer aged 4 and 7 who underwent dystocia. When the deer were brought to our clinic, they had been in labour for 6 h and 1 day, respectively, and the calves were dead. The foetal forefeet were found hanging from the vulva at the general examination. Deer l's parturition was human-assisted but the outcome was not good and it was decided to operate on the animal. in deer 2, parturition was taking too long and so it was decided to operate immediately. The deer were sedated and anaesthetised by infiltration of the left paralumbar fossa in order to perform the caesarean operations. The caesarean operations were performed successfully and both red deer are still alive. For a postoperative period of 5 days, an antibiotic and vitamin combination was administered to both deer. It is concluded that for red deer in whom dystocia is common a caesarean operation can be the treatment of choice.