The study involved 40 cases of dystocia in bovines (24 cows and 16 buffaloes), managed by caesarian section in the polyclinics of College of Veterinary Sciences and Animal Husbandry, Jammu. Failure to detort by plank method, fetal maceration/mummification, uterine inertia, anatomical defects in the dam and congenital defects like Schistosomus reflexus and fetal oversize due to emphysema were the most common indications of caesarian section. Bluish or cyanotic uterine wall, pus in uterus, foul smelling uterine fluid, necrotic maternal caruncles, uterine wall rupture, intra-abdominal haemorrhage, adhesions of uterus with abdominal wall and surrounding visceral organs were the most common findings during the surgery. Postoperative deaths were recorded in 4 animals. Delayed return to fertility and infertility were the major problems faced after the surgery. Incidence of infertility was higher in the delayed cases of uterine torsion and in animals suffering from fetal maceration and mummification. Delay in reporting to the clinics and condition of uterine wall at the time of surgery was thought to have direct influence on the postoperative recovery and regain of fertility in bovines.
