Comparative study of fetotomy and caesarean section in buffaloes

Total 15 cases of dystokia in buffaloes were studied. Out of 15 dystokia cases 10(66.66%) were due to maternal origin and only 5(33.33%) were due to foetal origin. The mean cost of performing single Caesarean Section (C.S.) operation and Fetotomy in case of buffalo was Rs.1665 ± 36.64 (1500 – 1900) and Rs.455 ± 14.77 (410–500) respectively. This difference was significant (P<0.05). The survivability of dam and foetus was studied in relation to duration in labour. The buffaloes, which were in labour for more than 36 hours, they all died along with the foetus. In C.S. group the buffaloes, which were in labour for up to 12 hours and 24 hours they all survived (100%). However, out of 5 only 3 foetuses survived i.e. (60%). The overall survival rate of dam irrespective of duration of labour was 66.67 in C.S. All the buffaloes (n = 6) survived after fetotomy i.e. 100% survivability. There was significant difference (P<0.05) observed in involution period between fetotomy and C.S. operated animals. First post-operative (C.S. and fetotomy) exhibition of oestrus was studied. In C.S. out of six buffaloes only one (16.67%) exhibited oestrus on 120^th day post operation. In fetotomy, three out of six (50%) exhibited oestrus upto 95 days post fetotomy. The peak milk production of previous lactation and 45^th day post C.S. and fetotomy operation was compared. In the group of fetotomy operation the mean peak yield was 8.33 ± 0.76 and 8.25 ± 0.92 ltrs in previous lactation and after fetotomy operation respectively. There was merger effect of fetotomy on milk production. In buffaloes, which were operated for C.S., in those animals the mean peak milk production during previous lactation was 9.67 ± 0.71 ltrs and after C.S. peak yield was 7.5 ± 0.56 ltrs. After C.S., there was reduction in milk yield by 22.68% as compared to previous lactation on peak yield. The difference between the peak yield of previous lactation and after C.S. was non significant.