dystocia due to a conjoined twin monster foetus in a female buffalo

Case ReportBuffalo Bulletin (March 2011) Vol.30 No.1DYSTOCIA DUE TO A CONJOINED TWIN MONSTER FOETUSIN A FEMALE BUFFALOS.P. Shukla, Qazi Mudasir and S.P. NemaABSTRACTA case of dystocia due to a conjoined twinmonster foetus with thoracopagus in a femalebuffalo is reported. An emergency cesareansection was decided upon to relieve the subsequentdystocia.Keywords: female buffalo, twin monster, dystosiaINTRODUCTIONafter proper lubrication revealed that the foetuswas in anterior longitudinal presentation, with twofore limbs protruding from the vulva and other twoforelimbs in flexed positions. Repulsion and deeperexploration revealed a conjoined twin monster, withthe presence of two foetal heads. The fetuses weredead, and it appeared to be a twin pregnancy astwo foetal heads joined at the thorax were palpable.Hence, it was diagnosed as a dystocia due to aconjoined twin monster foetus and an emergencycesarean section was decided upon. Previous firstcalving of the animal was reported to be normal.Foetal anomalies and monstrosities arecommon cause of dystocia in bovines (Shukla etal., 2007). Twin monsters are characterized byduplication of anterior, posterior or both parts offoetal body and are common in ruminants.CASE HISTORY AND OBSERVATIONSA pluriparous full-term pregnant Murrahbuffalo was presented to the Teaching VeterinaryClinical Services Complex, College of VeterinaryScience and Animal Husbandry, Mhow, withhistory of severe straining for the previous 12-14 h after the rupture of water bag. Two foetallegs were protruding from the vulva without anyprogress in parturition. Per vaginal examinationTREATMENT AND DISCUSSIONThe buffalo was premedicated withxylazine (0.2 mg/kg b.wt. I/M) and caudal epiduralanalgesia and local infiltration anaesthesia wasachieved using lignocaine Hcl. The left paramedianincision between linea alba and left subcutaneousabdominal vein was used for laparohysterotomy,and a dead conjoined twin monster foetus wasdelivered. The foetal membranes were alsoremoved and eight Furea boli (Nitrofurazone 60mg+urea 6 gm) were left in uterus. The uterus,peritoneum, muscles and skin were sutured inthe routine manner. Post operatively the animalwas given parenteral fluid therapy Inj. N.S (4 lts.)Inj. DNS (2 lts) Inj. Mifex (450 ml) and antibioticDepartment of Animal Reproduction Gynaecology and Obstetrics, College of Veterinary Science and AnimalHusbandry (Mhow) 453446, India12