Dystocia in the sheep and goat – A review

The causes of dystocia and their management in sheep and goat have been reviewed and the periparturient prediction of fetal viability discussed. The incidence of dystocia varies between 8 to 50% in both sheep and goats and appears to be greater in dams carrying single and male fetuses. Failure of cervical dilation is the major maternal cause of dystocia followed by uterine inertia. Lateral deviation of the head and flexion of carpal and shoulder joints are the commonest fetal causes of dystocia in both sheep and goats followed by relative fetal oversize. Dystocia can be corrected by mutation and caesarean section but only partial subcutaneous fetotomy of one or both limbs is possible in sheep and goat. The birth canal of the parturient goat is very fragile and undue force in pulling out a maldisposed fetus results in uterine rupture with subsequent prolapse of abdominal organs and hence care must be exercised in manual delivery. Ultrasonography is the most reliable procedure for predicting fetal viability.