Multiple cesarean section in Jenny.
Authors: Feyisa Cheru Telila, Dadi Yobsan Degefa, Kitessa Jiregna Dugassa
Journal: BMC veterinary research
Summary
# Editorial Summary: Multiple Caesarean Section in Jenny Dystocia in donkeys remains an underreported obstetric emergency, typically arising from postural complications involving the foetus's elongated limbs, yet surgical management in equines presents considerably greater technical challenges than in other large livestock species. This case report documents a jenny requiring two successive caesarean interventions following failed initial delivery attempts, highlighting the critical gaps in published guidance for donkey parturition management. The authors present detailed surgical findings and outcomes that contribute substantially to the sparse literature on equine dystocia resolution, where unsuccessful intervention carries significant risk to both dam and foetus. For practitioners managing pregnant donkeys, this work underscores the importance of early recognition of labour abnormalities and appropriate referral thresholds, given the technical demands of surgical correction and the life-threatening consequences of delayed or unsuccessful treatment. Understanding the anatomical and procedural nuances of caesarean delivery in donkeys—as distinct from equine protocols—directly informs decision-making in emergency obstetric situations where maternal and foetal survival outcomes depend on swift, informed intervention.
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Practical Takeaways
- •Dystocia in donkeys is a surgical emergency; unsuccessful manual correction warrants immediate cesarean section to prevent maternal and fetal death
- •Long fetal extremities and postural defects are common causes of donkey dystocia—be prepared to intervene surgically rather than rely on obstetric manipulation
- •Limited published guidance exists for donkey cesarean technique; consult equine surgical protocols and consider this case as reference material for your own cases
Key Findings
- •Multiple cesarean section was successfully performed in a jenny with dystocia due to postural defects of fetal extremities
- •Dystocia in donkeys remains life-threatening without successful surgical intervention
- •Published literature on cesarean section in donkeys is limited and well-described procedures are absent