SUCCESSFUL PER-VAGINAL DELIVERY OF SCHISTOSOMA REFLEXUS MONSTER FETUS IN A MURRAH BUFFALO

Abstract

Schistosoma reflexus is a rare congenital disorder in ruminants characterized by deformed pelvis, marked ventral curvature of the spine, and bent body and chest walls with exposed thoracic and abdominal viscera. Incomplete penetrance of an autosomal recessive gene is responsible for the transfer of this disorder to developing embryos. Dystocia resulting from Schistosoma reflexus is caused by the exposure of abdominal organs due to the defect in the formation of the spinal cord. Ceasarean section or fetotomy is required to relieve this kind of dystocia. In this report, we present a case of dystocia in a Murrah buffalo due to the Schistosoma reflexus monster fetus and its successful per-vaginal delivery using Thygeson’s fetotome. The animal was treated with antimicrobial, antihistaminic, analgesic, and fluid therapies for five days. Anatomical observations of the delivered monster fetus showed an acute angulation of the vertebral column, resulting in ankylosis of all four limbs and the exposure of viscera. This case demonstrates that the use of Thygeson’s fetotome for fetotomy can effectively manage dystocia caused by Schistosoma reflexus.